Sociological Perspectives
Tuesday, October 15, 2024 4:17 PM
There are THREE major sociological paradigms (framework, set of ideas) each encompassing
many theories converging on the same set of ideas. They are:
1. Functionalism
2. Conflict Theory
3. Symbolic Interactionism
Functionalism:
• Structure and functions: like physical structures have functions (buildings, roads,
bridges), social structures also have functions (family, religion, education, etc.)
• Likens society to a machine or an organism (different parts or different organs
working interdependently)
• The system (society) functions in a state of equilibrium when all structures work
together. Disequilibrium results as a result of a lack of coordination or dysfunction
in some structures. Social problems (crime, poverty, drug use, eg.) are considered
to be the products of such a pathological state of disequilibrium.
• Relies on three major assumptions:
1. Social patterns provide stability to society
2. Society is characterized by harmony
3. Change and adaptation must occur through evolution
Functional or Dysfunctional?
Manifest, Latent, and Dysfunctions.
Robert Merton identifies three different types of functions:
1. Manifest function is the intended function or consequence.
2. Latent function is the unintended function or consequence.
3. Dysfunction is impaired or harmful function.
Can you relate each of these functions to handguns, airplanes, fast-food joints,
Uber, and the internet?
Conflict Theory
• It is macro sociology: Which tends to study large-scale social structures
• Derived primarily from the teachings of Karl Marx
• Seeks to discover the underlying tensions that exist in society, in other words, focuses
on conflicts among groups in society.
• Relies on three primary assumptions:
○ Competition for scarce resources is central to all social relationships (for example:
Power)
Lesson 1 Page 1
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