Theoretical Perspectives
Functionalist Perspective
- Those who view society as a set of interrelated parts that work together to produce a stable social system.
- Society is held together through Consensus.
- Put Simply- most people agree what is best for society and work together to ensure it runs smooth.
- Not Everything in Society Runs smoothly,
- Dysfunctional (functionalist label some items as dysfunctional)
- Negative consequences that an element has for the stability of the social system.
- Crime - disrupts society rather than stabilizes it.
- Functions can be either positive or negative.
- Manifest Function
- The intended and recognized consequences of some element in society
- McDonalds = Convenient, tasty food.
- Latin Function
- Unintended and unrecognizable consequences of an element of Society
- Obese Nation- McD’s cause obesity.
- Emile Durkeim
Conflict Perspective
- Focus on the forces in society that promote competition and change
- CONFLICT THEORISTS- see social change as an inevitable feature of society
- Focused on Competition
- Men v. Men
- People of all ages
- Different races
- Family decision making
- Competition is the basis of Social conflict
- Power and wealth are in limited supply - people must compete for them
- Those with less power try to gain access to desired resources.
- Herbert Spencer
Interactionist Perspective
- Focus on how individuals interact with one another in society.
- How people respond to one another in everyday situations
- Interested in meanings that individuals attach to their own actions and the actions of others.
- Interactionists interested in…
- Symbols
- Must be agreed upon Objects, gestures, words, events
- Flag, Independence Day, Bald Eagle etc.
- SYMBOLIC INTERACTION - how people use symbols when interacting.
- Used to study relationships
- Child development
- Relationships within groups
- Mate selection
- Max Weber
Our Society: COnflict perspective
Our society is most like the Conflict Perspective. Everything around us is competition; you must compete for everything there is in our society. We compete for jobs, sports, spouses, and food.