Theoretical perspective

Contemporary sociologists acknowledge three general theoretical perspectives, or ways of looking at how various social phenomena are related to one another. These are

1. the functionalist perspective
2. the conflict perspective
3. the symbolic interactionist perspective

The Functionalist perspective:

The primary assumption underlying the functionalist perspective is that society is a stable, well-integrated, self-regulating system that endures because it serves peoples basic needs.

~Spencer drew an analogy between societies and living organisms. An organism is made up of many specialized parts. Each part has a particular function, which contributes to maintaining the whole. These parts are interdependent: each needs the others.

~Each society is composed of many specialized structures or social institutions (the family, religion. Economy, politics and education etc.) Each of these institutions has a function that contributes to maintaining the whole (The family for example, bearing and rearing children). These social structures are interdependent. The economy depends on the education system to provide future workers with skills: the education system depends on the economic system for funds.

~Under normal conditions the various parts of society work together toward shared goals, producing order, stability, and equilibrium.

~From this perspective conflict is a symptom of disease in the social organism.

~Merton pointed out the important distinction between manifest functions-those which are intended and recognized and latent functions-those which are unintended and often unrecognized. For example, the manifest function of education is to provide youngsters with information, skills and values. The latent functions of education include keeping young people out of the job market, providing a baby-sitter for working parents etc.

~Useful for describing society and identifying its structural parts and the functions of those parts.

-Provides a ‘big picture’ of the social life

-Helps to describe any particular social behavior at a given point.

-So from functionalist perspective, we got a static picture-a type of snapshot of social life at a particular point in history.

In brief, The Functionalist Perspective

~views society as a system where the elements are interlinked in a stable fashion.

~identifies the structural characteristics and functions and dysfunctions of institutions.

~distinguishes between manifest functions and latent functions.

~assumes that most members of a society share a consensus regarding their core beliefs and values.

~The main weakness of Functionalism is its tendency to downplay the importance of power and social change.

Conflict theory:

Is based on the view that the structure of society is the result of competition for scare resources. Marx held that capitalism divides society into two opposing classes: those who control capital/own the means of production and those who must sell their labor.

~The main assumption underlying conflict theory is that society is a collection of competing interest groups, each with its own goals and agendas.

~Constraint, not consensus, holds society together. Conflict is the driving force of the society

~ It considers conflict and change as inevitable & often-desirable elements of social life.

In brief, The Conflict Perspective

~draws much of its inspiration from the work of Karl Marx and argues that the structure of society and the nature of social relationships are the result of past and ongoing conflicts.

~highlights that some groups always benefit more from the social arrangements.

~eventually narrates that the structure of society reflects the efforts of those at the top maintaining their privileges at the expense of those who lack the power to oppose them.

~The main weakness of conflict theory is its failure to explain social cohesion.

But can you say why despite conflicts of groups, society is not splitting??

Symbolic interactionism:

Focuses on the cumulative effects of individual actions and interpersonal relationships in everyday behavior. The theoretical perspective is premised on the principle that everyday interaction is determined by the way people interpret events and relationships.

The Interactionist Perspective

~contends that society is possible because human beings have the ability to communicate with one another by means of symbols (other animals/birds/insects do so by inborn mechanisms).

~says that we act toward people, objects, and events on the basis of the meanings we impart to them. Consequently, we experience the world as constructed reality.

~highlights that we constantly fashion our behavior according to contexts.