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Chapter 1 section 2. SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES. Theories & perspectives…. A THEORY is an explanation of how something works. A THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVE is a general set of assumptions about the nature of things.
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Chapter 1 section 2 SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES
Theories & perspectives… • A THEORY is an explanation of how something works. • A THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVE is a general set of assumptions about the nature of things. • A SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE outlines specific ideas about the nature of social life. • The 3 perspectives covered in ch 1 section 2 each presents a slightly different image of society or focuses on different aspects of social life. They were developed following the European Industrial Revolutions… why do you think that is?
FUNCTIONALIST perspective • Comte, Spencer, Durkheim’s ideas heavily influenced this perspective; • Analyzes how parts of society work together to produce a stable social system; • Each part must contribute to the overall well-being of society or it won’t carry on; • Family & education tend to serve positive functions; crime & other negative elements destabilize society (dysfunctional); functions may also be manifest (intended) or latent (unintended).
CONFLICT PERSPECTIVE • Social behavior is best explained by understanding society’s flaws & the conflicts between its classes and groups. • Conflict may be social, political, economic, etc. • Karl Marx’s theories influences this perspective; • Groups that control wealth have power & prestige & will try to create a society that benefits them most.
INTERACTIONIST PERSPECTIVE… • Max Weber’s teachings heavily influenced this perspective; • Focuses on how individuals interact with one another in society & in the meanings people attach to their own actions & to the actions of others. • Focus also on symbols (anything that represents something else) & their role in daily life (gestures, words, objects, events, etc) • Interactionists believe people use symbols to interact (symbolic interaction).