ch1sec3 sociology theoretical perspectives. the role of theoretical perspectives perception – the...
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CH1SEC3 SOCIOLOGY
Theoretical Perspectives
The Role of Theoretical Perspectives
Perception – the way you interpret the meaning of an image or event Depends on beliefs,
values, what you focus on
Sociolological theoretical perspective – set of assumptions about the workings of society
Major Sociological Perspectives
Each perspective has a different slant on human social behavior I. Functionalism
Views society as an integrated whole
II. Conflict Perspective Emphasizes competition,
change, & constraint Class, race, and gender
struggles III. Symbolic
Interactionism Focus more on the way people
interact with each other How individual use shared
symbols as they interact
TURN TO PG 27 AND COPY THE CHART
Auguste Comte
Positivism – scientific observation in study of social behavior
Social statics – stability & order
Social dynamics- social change
Functionalism
Contributions made by each part of society-how they work together Ex) family, economy, religion parts of society
Family –provides for reproduction & care for members of society
Economy- production of goods and services for society
Religion – beliefs and practices related to sacred things of society
Change in one part affects another part of society Ex) Industrial Revolution affected family life
Functionalism
Function - contribution made by some part of society Manifest functions – intended and recognized
consequences of an aspect of society Ex)school-teach math skills
Latent functions- unintended and unrecognized consequences of an aspect of society Ex)school-development of close friendships
Dysfunction- negative consequence of an aspect of society
Ex)being treated as a “number” by bureaucratic government agency
Give an example of each of these terms.
Functionalism
Each component of society affects each other
Sociologists:
Herbert Spencer
Emile Durkheim
Emile Durkheim
Society exists because of broad consensus
Mechanical solidarity- Preindustrial society Widespread consensus of
values & beliefs, conformity, tradition, family
Organic solidarity-Industrial society Social interdependency,
specialized roles, dependent on one another
Conflict Perspective
Reverse of functionalism Disagreements among
groups in society and between societies (competition)
Contest for power (ability to control others) Those with most power get
the largest share of what is valuable in a society (wealth, prestige, privilege)
Some groups have more power, some have less
Basic agreement on values within society Cooperation,
common goals
Conflict Perspective Functionalism
Karl Marx
Concern for poverty, inequality, working class Not just study world but
change it 2 main social classes
Bourgeoisie (capitalists)-those who own the means for producing wealth
Proletariat – work for bourgeoisie, paid just enough to stay alive
Class conflict – clash between 2 classes Wage workers overtake
capitalists – classless (communistic) society
Planned revolution could speed up change from capitalism to communism Felt capitalism
would self-destruct anyway
Which Perspective is Better? Neither!– different focus
Functionalism – consensus, stability, cooperation of a population
Conflict – constraint, conflict, change in a society
Each deals with large social units Ex) Economy, broad social processes,
conflict Last perspective focuses on ways people
interact
Max Weber
Most important influence
Humans act on the basis of their own understanding of a situation Sociologists must
discover personal meanings, values, beliefs, attitudes
Verstehen – understand behavior by putting self mentally in someone else’s place
Rationalization- use of knowledge, reason, planning
Symbolic Interactionism
Focus on interaction among people Symbol- represents something else
Object, word, gesture, facial expression, sound Ex) American flag – symbol of US
Meaning is determined by those who create/use symbol- must be understood by whole group
3 Basic Assumptions
I. We learn meaning of symbols by others’ reactions Ex) Latin America, whistling at end of
performance is bad, in North America, booing at end is bad
II. We base our behavior on those meanings Ex) Avoid encore if you hear whistling in LA,
booing NA III. We use meanings of symbols to
imagine how others will respond to our behavior before we act
Dramaturgy – human interaction like theatrical presentation (dress, gestures, tone of voice)
Guess Which Perspective
Societies are in relative balance. Power is one of the most important elements
in life. Religion helps hold a society together morally. Symbols are crucial to social life. Many elements of a society exist to benefit
the powerful. Social life should be understood from the
viewpoint of the individuals involved. Social change is constantly occurring