The Sociological Point of View
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Transcript The Sociological Point of View
The Sociological
Point of View
Current Perspectives
Pgs. 14-17
Theory and Perspective
Theory: an
explanation of the
relationships among
particular
phenomena.
A statement of how
and why specific
facts are related.
Theoretical
Perspectives: a
general set of
assumptions about
the nature of things.
Outlines specific
ideas about the
nature of social life.
Functionalist Perspective
Broadly based on ideas of Spencer,
Comte and Durkheim.
– View society as a set of interrelated parts
that work together to produce a stable
social system.
– Functionalists = Society by Consensus
• Most people agree on what is best for society
and work together to ensure the system runs
smoothly.
Functionalist Perspective
Functionalists view
the various
elements in society
in terms of their
functions, or their
positive
consequences for
society.
Dysfunctional: the
negative
consequence an
element has for the
stability of the social
system.
– Ex. Crime
Functionalist Perspective
Manifest Function
– The intended and
recognized
consequences of
some elements of
society.
• Ex. The manifest
function of a car is
speedy transportation
from one location to
another.
Latent Function
– The unintended and
unrecognized
consequence of an
element of society.
• Ex. The latent
function of a car is to
gain social standing
by showing off your
wealth.
Conflict Perspective
Focuses on the forces in society that
promote competition and change.
Follows the ideas of Karl Marx.
Interested in how those who possess
power in society exercise control over
those with less power.
These conflict theorists do not limit
themselves to violent conflict.
Conflict Perspective
This group also
studies competition
between men and
women, different
ages, or people of
different national
backgrounds.
Decision making in
the family
Relationships
among racial groups
Disputes between
workers and
employees
Conflict Perspective
People must compete with each other
for power and wealth.
Once a group gains this it creates rules
in order to protect what they have and
keep it from other groups.
This causes social conflict, and social
change.
Interactionist Perspective
Focus on how individuals interact with
one another in society.
Interested in the ways in which
individuals respond to one another in
everyday situations.
Also interested in the meanings that
individuals attach to their own actions
and to the actions of others
Interactionist Perspective
Followed the work of
Max Weber
Particularly
interested in
symbols.
Symbol: anything
that represents
something else.
Members of society
must agree on the
meaning of the
symbol.
– Ex. Physical objects,
gestures, words, and
events.
– Give examples of
these
Interactionist Perspective
Interactionist focus on
how people use
symbols when
interacting. Also known
as symbolic interaction.
Used to study
relationships between
groups, mate selection,
child development.
Popular in U.S.
Which theory or
perspective should
you use?
Combing elements
from all three helps
to understand
human behavior.