THE STUDY OF SOCIOLOGY…
Theories.
CURRENT PERSPECTIVES IN SOCIOLOGY
• There are three major
perspectives today.
• 1. Structural
Functional Theory
• 2. Conflict Theory
• 3. Symbolic
Interactionism
Functionalist Theory
• Addresses how social order
maintained.
• When all parts of society function
well a society is stable…so this
point of view looks at the
different structures within society
and how they function/ work
together.
• Assumes that society controls the
individual.
• Comte, Spencer, Durkheim
• Macro Theory
•Functionalist
Theory asks
two
questions…
• 1. What patterns
exist in the social
structure?
• 2. What are the
consequences of
the social structure?
• Positive
Consequences
– Called functions
– Promote Stability
• Negative
Consequences
– Called
dysfunctions
– Promote change
CONFLICT THEORY
• Addresses the negative…stress
and conflict in society.
• Three assumptions are
– 1. Competition is heart of social
relationship
– 2. Inequality in every relationship
– 3. Change occurs thru
conflict…revolution.
• Who benefits and how do they
maintain power?
• Macro theory
• Critical, often negative picture
of society…associated with
Marx.
INTERACTIONIST THEORY
• Focuses on the individual and
interpersonal relationships…less
on structure of society.
• Sees individual, small scale
interactions as controlling
society.
• Meanings grow out of
relationships and relationships
are negotiated…both sides give
and take.
• Micro. Weber.
Analysis of divorce w/ the 3 theories
Functionalist Theory Because of social changes the
traditional functions of family have eroded and the
divorce rate increases.
Conflict Theory When men control economic life, the
divorce rate is low because women have few
alternatives to a bad marriage. The high divorce rate
reflects a shift in the balance of power.
Interactionist Theory Industrialization and urbanization
changed the role of the individual in marriage… roles
changed which led to a redefinition of love, marriage,
and divorce.
As you can see, one social issue/problem can be studied
very differently in Sociology.
Let’s think
together…
How would each look at the issue
of domestic violence?
• Functionalists:
• Conflict:
• Interactionist:
How would each look at the issue
of increasing crime rates?
• Functionalists…
• Conflict…
• Interactionist…