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3 Sociological Perspectives

3 Sociological Perspectives. Functionalist Perspective. View of Society Society is made up of parts (like a body) When all parts work, society runs smoothly Believe in the human desire for stability Also called Structural Functionalist. Functionalist Perspective. Early Sociologists

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3 Sociological Perspectives

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  1. 3 Sociological Perspectives

  2. Functionalist Perspective • View of Society • Society is made up of parts (like a body) • When all parts work, society runs smoothly • Believe in the human desire for stability • Also called Structural Functionalist

  3. Functionalist Perspective • Early Sociologists • Auguste Comte • Herbert Spencer • Emile Durkheim • Generally considered a conservative theory

  4. Functionalist Perspective • Role of Sociologist • Look at elements of society and: • Find their intended purpose • Find out what they are not doing

  5. Functionalist Perspective • Questions Addressed: • How does the part work? What patterns exist? • What are the consequences of the structure? • Function (+ consequence for stability of society) v. dysfunction (- consequence for stability of society) • Manifest (unintended) v. latent (unintended) consequences

  6. Functionalist Perspective • Examples of function v. dysfunction • Battered women’s plea • + Helps women • - Used wrongly • Poverty • + “dirty work” gets done • - people live in poverty

  7. Conflict Perspective • View of Society • Society is in a constant state of conflict (violent and nonviolent) • Everyone is competing for scarce resources ($) • Competition = inequality • This conflict is a source of inevitable social change

  8. Conflict Perspective • Early Sociologists • Karl Marx

  9. Conflict Perspective • Role of Sociologist • Identify conflicting elements of society and how they work

  10. Conflict Perspective • Questions Addressed • Who benefits from this structure? (inequality) • How are the inequalities maintained? • Example: Schools

  11. Interactionist Perspective • View of Society • Society has personal meanings for human actions and these shape how we develop • Examples: • Why do 2 children in same family turn out differently? • How does growing up in a middle class household affect you v. if you had grown up in a working class household?

  12. Interactionist Perspective • Early Sociologists • Max Weber

  13. Interactionist Perspective • Role of Sociologist • Look for symbols and how the meaning of those symbols affect behavior. • Interested in the meanings that individuals attach to their own actions and the actions of others.

  14. Intereactionist Perspective • Questions Addressed: • How do a person’s individual experiences affect society as a whole? • Other Examples: • Mate selection • Child development

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