Human Behavior in the Social Environment SSS 571

1. 1 Human Behavior in the Social EnvironmentSSS 571 Conflict Theory

2. 2 Objectives Gain understanding of the historical overview of Conflict Theory Identify major concepts and key terms of Conflict Theory Identify major contributors to Conflict Theory Discuss the use of Conflict Theory in social work practice

3. 3 Functional Theory vs. Conflict Theory Functional Values Consensus/ Cooperation Homeostasis Retention of the Norm Conflict Conflict is assumed to be the norm Focus on coercion and use of power to bring about social change

4. 4 Conflict Theory Presuppositions: Interest are the basic elements of social life Social life involves coercion Groups have varying interests Social life generates opposition, exclusion, and hostility Social life generates conflict Social differences involve power Social systems are not united or harmonious Change is inevitable: Every element of society contributes to change; social structure rest on the constraint of some of its members

5. 5 Conflict Theory Basic Principles: Conflict is normative and a fact of life Structural Functionalism: Cooperation is the glue that holds society together; Conflict Theory: The role of coercion, constraint, and domination Two Categories of Theory Endogenous: Conflict within a system or society (change of values, distribution of resources, authority) Exogenous: Conflict between systems or external environment (war, cultural invasion and ideology)

6. 6 Conflict Theory Overview Basic Principles Concepts include: disadvantaged populations, social injustice, deprivation, inequality Key focus includes: power, conflict, and confrontation Community is seen as made up of conflicting interests that are not easily reconcilable and as having scarce resources

7. 7 Conflict Theory Basic Terms: Conflict: Clash or struggle between opposing forces Power: The ability to control and influence collective decisions and actions Minority: a group that has limited access to power, even though they may be the larger group Change: Transition or transformation from one condition or state to another. Change is seen as normative and healthy aspect of social life

8. 8 Conflict Theory Overview Practice Application Goal: Shifting the power of relationships and resources, as well as facilitating institutional change, that benefits �me and mine� Social Worker: Advocate, agitator, negotiator, and partisan Client: Victim of powerful elite in macrosystemic environment Strategy: Crystallize issues and develop organization to take action against, �the enemy�

9. 9 Conflict Theory Historical Impact On Individual & Group Function: Psychodynamic Theory Dyadic: Fluctuates between intimacy and intense conflict Triadic Foursomes

10. 10 Leading Architect of Conflict Theory: Karl Marx German born Karl Marx is considered the father of modern communism (May 5, 1818 � March 1883) Believed that capitalism would produce internal tensions (class struggles) which would lead to destruction Primary goal stateless, classless society (communism)

11. 11 Major Contributors Neo-Marxian Theorists Karl Mannheim Georg Lukacs Herbert Marcuse Jurgen Habermas Ralf Dahrendorf Richard Bernstein Theda Skocpol C. Wright Mills Randall Collins

12. 12 Conflict Theory Marxism (Class Conflict) �We are not powerless beings� as much as people are oppressed, they can gain influence and power over oppression Marx proposed two dominant classes Proletariat: Workers Bourgeoisie: Capitalists Technical Freedom does not translate into Literal Freedom We are slaves to our employers�.we sell ourselves into slavery Cultural ideology/ systems maintain this quasi-slavery

13. 13 Conflict Theory Problems in Class Conflict Exploitation (Surplus Value) Poverty Alienation (Political, Religious, Economic) Alienation is the disconnected self from the life process/creative process (production) Political institution controlled by the Bourgeoisie to support their interest in surplus value or to serve the needs of the ruling class: I.e. going to war for national interest Economic: Difference between actual production cost and purchase cost creates a slave class Religion: You will get your reward some day

14. 14 Conflict Theory Two Additional Classes that depend on the establishment of the Elite Class: Petit Bourgeoisie: Small business owners and professionals (perilous class designation) Lumpenproletariat: Criminal Class

15. 15 Conflict Theory: Governing Elite Early Formulations

16. 16 Conflict Theory

17. 17 Conflict Theory Interest Groups/American Pluralist Tradition No one ruling class really exists There are multiple ruling classes lobbying for power Example: Pro-life versus Pro-choice, Gay rights initiatives versus Pro-family initiatives Power not in numbers, but in voice

18. 18 Conflict Theory & Social Work Practice Defining Practice: Largely Group Work (Task focused) Defining the Problem Problem exists in the group due to external conditions or internal coalitions Problem exists in this population due to classism, racism, or other forms of inequality