The Sociological Point of View

1
The Sociological Point of View

• Current Perspectives
• Pgs. 14-17

2
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.

3
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.

4
Functionalist Perspective

• Functionalists view the various elements in
  society in terms of their functions, or their
  positive consequences for society.

• Social Dysfunction undesirable consequences for
  the operation of society.
• Ex crime

5
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.

6

• Manifest Function of our nations system of
  higher education is to provide young people with
  the knowledge and skills they need to perform
  jobs and be good citizen.

• The Latent Function of this is as a marriage
  broker bringing together people of similar
  social backgrounds in a setting that encourages
  courtship.

7
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.

8
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

9
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.

10
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

11
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

12
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.