Sociology Functionalist Perspective Conflict Perspective Interactionist Perspective What

Sociology Functionalist Perspective Conflict Perspective Interactionist Perspective

What is Sociology? the study of the origin, development, organization, and functioning of human society; the science of the fundamental laws of social relations, institutions, etc.

Functionalist Perspective n view society as a set of interrelated parts that work together to produce a stable social system n people agree on what is best for society and work together to ensure that the social system runs smoothly

Functionalist Perspective n Auguste n “father Comte of sociology” n focused on social order and social change n social statics – holds society together n social dynamics – social change through definite process

Functionalist Perspective n Herbert Spencer n influenced by Darwin n organic analogy – people are to society like body organs are to the body n believed social Darwinism – weak parts of society will die off

Functionalist Perspective n Emile Durkheim n social order n believed society was a set of interdependent parts that maintain the system through time n believed only observable phenomena which can be tested n social facts – facts cannot be derived from nor explained solely by the study of separate individuals

Conflict Perspective n focus on the forces of society that promotes competition and change n competition over scarce resources is at the basis of social conflict n social change is an inevitable feature of society

Conflict Perspective n Karl Marx n n believed the structure of society is influenced by how its economy is organized society is divided into 2 classes: n bourgeoisie – the capitalists, the haves, the owners of production n proletariats – the workers, the have-nots, the producers

Conflict Perspective n Karl Marx cont. n imbalance in power would lead to conflict between the two classes n the proletariats would revolt and overthrow bourgeoisie. n Then the proletariats would build a classless society

Interactionist Perspective n n focus on how individuals interact with one another in society interested in the meanings that individuals attach to their own actions and to the actions of others

n Interactionist n interested Perspective cont. in how individuals respond to one another in everyday situations n interested in the role symbols play in our daily lives

Interactionist Perspective n So…what n. A is a symbol? symbol is - n anything that represents something else. n meaning is given to symbols by society

Interactionist Perspective n Max Weber n interested in separate groups within society rather than society as a whole n Verstehen – an attempt to understand the meaning individuals attach to their actions. (Putting yourself in someone else’s shoes) n Ideal type – essential characteristics of a feature of society