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The Sociological Perspective. Functionalist. Contemporary Theoretical Perspectives. Functionalist Conflict Feminist Symbolic Interactionist Postmodernist. Functionalist. Assumption: Society is a stable, orderly system
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The Sociological Perspective Functionalist
Contemporary Theoretical Perspectives • Functionalist • Conflict • Feminist • Symbolic Interactionist • Postmodernist
Functionalist • Assumption: Society is a stable, orderly system • Basis of society: societal consensus of shared values, beliefs, and behavioural expectations • Society as parts to a whole with each part having a function • Society is like a living organism
Founding Father? • Emile Durkheim (1858-1917) • Contributions: • Created a methodology of studying society • Social facts • Anomie • Division of labour • First to publish a statistical study (on suicide) (empirical study)
Functionalist • Applying a Functionalist Perspective to the Study of Suicide • Durk’s theory: suicide is to be seen as an effect of social rather than personal factors; that where there is no or little shared sense of community, suicide rates will be higher (Canadian example- among some Aboriginal Communities)
Durkheim (con’t) • Durkheim invented the term “social fact” • Social facts are the patterned ways of acting, thinking, and feeling in a society. • These forces shape a person to live their life a certain way. • What are some social “facts” of Canadian Society? Take 5 minutes and compose a list.
Durkheim (con’t) • Durkheim also believed that when these facts break down an “Anomie” occurs. • This causes a division in the society and the result of a loss in shared values. • For example, Quebec separation. • Create a Graphic Oganiser of the factors etc that may lead to Anomie in a young, middle aged and elderly person.
Functionalism Views • Society is made up of social structures or institutions that help it survive. • These include family, education, government, religion, and economy. • Take 10 minutes to answer how each one of these institutions help maintain stability. What would happen if one broke down?
George Simmel (1858-1918) • His Views • Society as a web of patterned interactions • Interaction conditioned by size: dyads, triads, etc (the group) • The group dynamics and inter-relation are the keys to society. • He saw that urbanisation / industrialisation was promoting individualism while concern for the group diminished
Talcot Parsons: Role of the Family • Parsons believed that people made sacrifices to ensure societies survival. Roles were created, especially in the family. • Men performed the instrumental role in the family. • The husband was in charge of decision making, employment and providing for the family. • Women performed the expressive tasks. • This included housework, caring for children, and providing emotional support. • All other institutions were created to support the family. • BQ: formulate a response to the assertion: The break down of the family unit (nuclear family) has led to the decline of society overall