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Sociological Perspectives: Understanding Society Through Theories

Explore the Functionalist, Conflict, and Interactionist perspectives in sociology, examining how society works, the role of conflicts, and the significance of individual interactions. Gain insights into societal structures and dynamics from different viewpoints.

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Sociological Perspectives: Understanding Society Through Theories

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  1. Chapter 1 section 2 SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES

  2. 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?

  3. 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).

  4. 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.

  5. 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).

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