...Compare and contrast the functionalist, conflict, and interactionist theoretical approaches to the study of society. How does each approach view society, the individual, social order, and social change? Your textbook analyzes sports in terms of various perspectives. Using the analysis of sports as a model, analyze the role of television from the functional, conflict, and interactionist approaches. Sociologists analyze social phenomena at different levels and from different perspectives. From interpretations to sweeping generalizations of society and social behavior, sociologists study everything from specific events; the micro level of analysis of small social patterns, to the big picture; the macro level of analysis of large social patterns. Sociologists today use three theoretical perspectives: the interactionist perspective, the functionalist perspective, and the conflict perspective. These perspectives offer sociologists theoretical examples for explaining how society influences people, and vice versa. “While the functionalist and conflict approaches were initiated in Europe, interactionism developed first in the United States (p. 15).” Herbert Mead is credited as the founder of the interactionist perspective. The interactionist perspective, directs sociologists to consider the symbols and details of everyday life, what these symbols mean, and how people interact with each other. According to the interactionist perspective, people attach meanings to symbols, and...
Words: 1328 - Pages: 6
...when discussing the importance of the sociological perspective? | It opens a window to unfamiliar worlds and offers a fresh look at familiar worlds. | | It verifies our basic assumptions about life and the need to focus on human needs. | | It challenges cultural tradition to provide a new framework of human understanding. | | It enforces social solidarity and expands the importance of the social imperative. | 1 out of 1 Correct!! 2 of 20 The event that most inspired Auguste Comte to pose the question, "What holds society together?" and begin developing sociology as a science was the ________. | industrialization of society | | discovery of the new world by Christopher Columbus | | development of the psychoanalytic approach | | French Revolution | 1 out of 1 Correct!! Question 3 of 20 Based on the theories formulated by Karl Marx, what was the ultimate goal of the proletariat? | The proletariat sought to establish a democratic society and independence. | | The proletariat wanted to develop a society with a strong middle class. | | The proletariat sought to develop a classless society free of exploitation. | | The proletariat wanted to establish capitalism and a higher standard of living for all. | 1 out of 1 Correct!! 4 of 20 What sociological phrase is used to describe "opening a window onto unfamiliar worlds and offering a fresh look at familiar worlds?" | The sociological perspective | | The social imperative...
Words: 1020 - Pages: 5
...Emile Durkheim (1858-1917) was one of the founding fathers of sociology as a vital and highly regarded academic discipline. According to Durkheim, social facts are sui generis, and must be studied distinct from biological and psychological phenomenon. In order to understand what he meant by his claims that social facts are sui generis or self existent, it is first vital to define what a social fact is and understand the approach that Durkheim undertook when creating his sociological methodologies and interpretations. Therefore, after a brief explanation of social facts and examination of Durkheim and his sociological practices, this essay will attempt to provide a valid explanation as to what Durkheim meant when he claims that social facts are self existent. Social facts are specifically defined by Durkheim as “a category of facts which present very special characteristics: they consist of manners of acting, thinking, and feeling external to the individual, which are invested with a coercive power by virtue of which they exercise control over him.” Social facts are characterised by two aspects. Firstly, they are external to the individual and secondly they must implement a control over the individual such as the existence of some predetermined legal penalty or by their reaction to those forms of individual belief and action which individuals perceive as threatening. No social fact can exist outside a well defined social organisation and the presence of social facts is easily...
Words: 1143 - Pages: 5
...Three Major Sociological Paradigms There are three sociological perspectives that shape the structure of society as a whole. Functionalist perspective, symbolic interactionism and conflict theory. Sociologists develop these theories to explain social phenomena. In this essay I will explain the origins and evolution of the three main sociological perspectives and listing the sociologists that made major contributions to these disciplines. “The functionalist perspective is a sociological approach which emphasizes the way that parts of a society are structure to maintain its stability,” (Schaefer & Lamm, 1998). This perspective takes a look at society in a positive manner and sees it as stable, when all the parts are working together. With the functionalist view every social aspect of a society contributes to the society’s survival, and if not, then the aspect will not pass onto the next generation. There were two people who were mainly involved in the development of the functionalist perspective. The French sociologist David Emile Durkeim and Talcott Parsons. Durkheim contributed to the functionalist perspective when he studied religion, and how it was responsible for people feeling solidarity and unity in groups. Parsons was a sociologist from Harvard University who was greatly influenced by Durkheim. In return, he influences Sociology by dominating the field, with his functionalist views for four decades (Schaefer & Lamm, 1998). When approaching a subject...
Words: 1128 - Pages: 5
...SOCIAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT STUDIES NAME: MWENYA MAKASA COMP NO: 14129965 COURSE: SOCIOLOGY 1110 LECTURE: MRS NTASHALA TUTOR: MR MWILA LUDAMO TUTORIAL DATE: WEDNESDAY 18-19HRS TASK: ASSIGNMENT ONE DUE DATE: 28TH January, 2015 QUESTION: Discuss the three Main Perspectives in Sociology and indicate their usefulness in Contemporary society? The nature of this essay is to discuss the three main perspectives in sociology and indicate their usefulness in contemporary society. The essay will first start with the definition of the term sociology and the term perspective. Later the essay will identify the three main sociological perspectives which are the key concepts of this essay. And a conclusion will be drawn at the end of this essay. The term sociology can be dated back in 1840. It was a word introduced by the French philosopher and the father of positivism (the use of scientific method in observing and studying social behavior). Auguste Comte (1789-1857) is considered to be the founder of the term sociology used to describe a new way of looking at the society. Therefore sociology can be defined as a scientific way of thinking about society and its influence on human groups (Taylor 2011). Perspectives in sociology provides us with different mindset in which we feel and see the world for example, a musician in America would rather sing about our great...
Words: 1614 - Pages: 7
...social life during interactions at the macro level and micro level. These theories include: symbolic interactionism, functional analysis and conflict theory. The main focus of symbolic interactionism is that symbols, those to which we formulate meaning, help us to understand how we view the world and communicate with one another. (Henslin, 2013) Symbolic interactionism observes face-to-face interaction on the microsociological level. When we look at objects and give them meaning, we know how to behave in the various relationships of our world. Symbolic interactionism is present everywhere in our daily lives. If we view a stop sign while driving, we know that this symbol requires us to stop. George Herbert Mead (1863-1931) is a sociologist and one of the founders of symbolic interactionism. Mead taught his views on symbolic interactionism at the University of Chicago. After his death, many of his lectures were compiled into a book, Mind, Self and Society. (Henslin, 2013) The second theory, functional analysis, is based on the idea that society is made up of interrelated parts that work together in harmony as a whole. (Henslin, 2013) Functional analysis theory observes events that happen and behaviors that occur because of the event; what caused the reaction. Socialists have used this theory to change and improve behaviors on the macro sociological level to help society function better as a whole. For example, my autistic nephew Ben is inconsolable whenever he hears the vacuum...
Words: 591 - Pages: 3
...political science. C. anthropology. D. sociology. Answer: D Type: D 3. Sociology A. is the scientific study of social behavior and human groups. B. focuses primarily on how social relationships influence people’s behavior. C. focuses on how societies develop and change. D. all of these Answer: D Type: D 4. The awareness that allows people to comprehend the link between their immediate, personal social settings and the remote, impersonal social world is called A. the sociological imagination. B. anthropology. C. a theory. D. verstehen. Answer: A Type: D 5. ____________ is most closely associated with the concept of the sociological imagination. A. Émile Durkheim B. Max Weber C. Karl Marx D. C. Wright Mills Answer: D Type: S 6. A key element in the sociological imagination is the ability to view one’s own society A. from the perspective of personal experience. B. from the perspective of cultural biases. C. as an outsider. D. as an insider. Answer: C Type: I 7. A sociologist observing behavior at a college football game would probably focus on A. what books the coach of the team has read during the past year. B. a “fan” who has fallen asleep during...
Words: 4557 - Pages: 19
...Name Instructor Course Date Henslin Briefly describe the main historical events in European Society that influenced the development of Sociology The French, Industrial revolutions and the Enlightenment period are the key events that bore development of sociology. The French revolution that lasted for a decade had a great impact on social structure. There was a power shift from the church to the peoples’ hands. The static clerical hierarchy gave up its property and rights. The French revolution had political, social and historical impact in the entire Europe. The Industrial Revolution commenced in England leading to various changes in the society. It marked a shift from traditional means of production to use of technology. Consequently, there was an increase in production, quality and efficacy of goods. The Enlightenment period contributed to the birth of sociology and is considered as an important source of critical ideas such as human freedom and democracy. The idea behind the thinkers of Enlightenment was to stimulate people to solve their problems rather than wait for the church to provide solutions. It posed a challenge to the traditional conceptions of the world. Summarize the basic focus and main points of each of the three main modern theories/perspectives/paradigms of sociology (from the text and discussion in class) Symbolic Internationalism The perspective borrows the idea that members of the society act according to how they interpret the social world...
Words: 660 - Pages: 3
...Major Theoretical Sociological Perspectives: Similarities and Differences Sociology: the scientific study of the development, structure and functioning of human society (Oxford). When the topic of discussion is sociology, Auguste Comte, the “father of positivism” would come to mind, as it was he who first coined the term “sociology” (Kreis, 2009). Comte also emphasized that the study of society must be scientific and he pushed sociologists to employ the use of qualitative methods such as observation, historical comparative analysis and experimentation. Sociological Perspective is the way in which we view sociological phenomena (Long, 2011). Among the many perspectives that exist there are three theoretical perspectives that are widely acknowledged by sociologists, these are the symbolic-interactionist perspective, conflict perspective and functionalist perspective. The analysis of social phenomenon occurs at varying levels by one of the three main theoretical perspectives or paradigms which provide sociologists with an orienting position or rather a philosophical position used to guide their questions about a society and its inhabitants. These phenomena range from evident interpretations to sweeping generalizations of society and its social behavior. Everything is studied from specific events straight up to the “big picture”, this would include the micro levels and macro levels of a society’s social patterns. The origin of the symbolic-interactionist theory traces back to...
Words: 2448 - Pages: 10
...Chapter 1 1. What is sociology? The study of people in groups. 2. What is the Sociological Imagination? The ability to see the relationship between individual experiences and the larger society. 3. For what is Auguste Comte known? The father of sociology. French philosopher. 4. When did sociology start? Industrial revolution in Europe. 5. What is Symbolic Interaction? Communication through words and gestures. 6. Who are the founders of Symbolic Interaction? European Founder: Georg Simmel (German Sociologist) American Founder: George H. Mead (Amer. Sociologist) Others – Jane Addams (Amer. Sociologist): Established Hull House W.E.B. Du Bois (Amer. Sociologist): Founded the 2nd Department of Sociology at Atlanta University Harriet Martineau (Brit. Social Observer): Chronicled the lives of women and slave in pre-Civil War America 7. Where was the first Department of Sociology in America founded? University of Chicago. Founded by Albion Small (Amer. Sociologist) 8. What is Functional Analysis? How the puzzle pieces fit together. 9. Who are the founders of Functional Analysis? European Founder: Emile Durkheim (French Sociologist). Coined the term anomie. American Founder: Talcott Parsons (Amer. Sociologist) Others – Robert King Merton (Amer. Sociologist): Wrote about Manifest & Latent Functions. Herbert Spencer: “Survival of the fittest.” Theory of General Evolution. 10. What is Conflict Theory? Haves vs. haves not. ...
Words: 1471 - Pages: 6
...anthropology, functionalism also functional analysis, is a sociological philosophy that originally attempts to explain social institutions as collective means to fill individual biological needs. Later it came to focus on the ways social institutions fill social needs, especially social solidarity. Functionalism is associated with Emile Durkheim and more recently with Talcott Parsons (Marshall 1994: 190-1). Since functional analysis studies the contributions made by socio-cultural phenomena to the socio-cultural systems of which they are a part. Many functionalists argue that social institutions are functionally integrated to form a stable system and that a change in one institution will precipitate a change in other institutions; expressed by Durkheim and others as an organic analogy. Functionalism, originating as an alternative to historical explanations, was one of the first twentieth century anthropological theories, until it was superseded by structural-functional analysis or structural-functionalism. Structural-functionalism takes the view that society consists of parts (e.g. police, hospitals, schools, and farms), each of which have their own functions and work together to promote social stability. Structural-functionalism was the dominant perspective of cultural anthropologists and rural sociologists between World War II and the Vietnam War. Along with conflict theory and interactionism functionalism is one of the three major sociological traditions. Functionalism is the oldest...
Words: 1525 - Pages: 7
...society, that is, the patterns around which society is organized and is instrumental in guiding our behavior. Larger social structures include groups and social institutions such as education and religion. More obscure structures are like those related to the economy. Not much aware of these obscure structures, nonetheless, they have great impact on the character of society overall. Social life is studied on both the micro and macro levels. Micro-sociology may focus on a social institution like the family and the quality of interaction among its members. At the macro-sociological level, we would attempt to understand a particular family structure as only one of millions of families making up this particular social institution. The single greatest contributor to and practitioner of functionalism in modern times, was Talcott Parsons. Parsons an American social thinker has had enormous impact on the development of sociological theory. His work gained prominence during 1940’s and 1950’s and his main contribution was to add to the view of society, the notion that functional relationships within and between institutions contributed to harmony in the system. For example, the division of labour within the nuclear family allows the man to take on financial responsibility of supporting the family and allows the wife to devote her energies to providing emotional support for the family members, manage the home and play a major role in training...
Words: 1715 - Pages: 7
...Version 1.0 General Certificate of Education January 2012 Sociology SCLY4 2191 Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods; Stratification and Differentiation with Theory and Methods; Unit 4 Mark Scheme Mark schemes are prepared by the Principal Examiner and considered, together with the relevant questions, by a panel of subject teachers. This mark scheme includes any amendments made at the standardisation meeting attended by all examiners and is the scheme which was used by them in this examination. The standardisation meeting ensures that the mark scheme covers the students’ responses to questions and that every examiner understands and applies it in the same correct way. As preparation for the standardisation meeting each examiner analyses a number of students’ scripts: alternative answers not already covered by the mark scheme are discussed at the meeting and legislated for. If, after this meeting, examiners encounter unusual answers which have not been discussed at the meeting they are required to refer these to the Principal Examiner. It must be stressed that a mark scheme is a working document, in many cases further developed and expanded on the basis of students’ reactions to a particular paper. Assumptions about future mark schemes on the basis of one year’s document should be avoided; whilst the guiding principles of assessment remain constant, details will change, depending on the content of a particular examination paper. Further...
Words: 7291 - Pages: 30
...A Sociological Perspective on Racism and Wealth Disparities Amongst African-Americans and Caucasians Introduction The consequence of racial discrimination has a clear relationship with wealth amongst racial groups. In the last 50 years, although the high school completion rate gap between blacks and whites has narrowed, blacks still only have one-tenth of the wealth of whites and according to Economic Policy Institute blacks make 17.5% less an hour than their white counterparts3. In light of these data, I will use quantitative and qualitative analysis to illustrate both the existence of racial inequality as it pertains to wealth and identify its origins within a sociological context. History of racism and wealth disparities To understand the...
Words: 1202 - Pages: 5
...4123000401 PREPARED FOR: TUAN HAJI BAGHAWI SARBINI 2.1 Definition of Educational Sociology Emile Durkheim (1858-1917) who is regarded as the ‘father’ of sociology of education clearly defines sociology of education as “a systematic study sociological perspective”. This definition of sociology of education is suitable because it speaks much of what goes on in education system. It clearly states that it is important to know sociology before knowing what sociology of education is. This is because sociology is related sociology of education. The statement “sociological perspective” stresses the social context in which people live such as society. Society is a group of people who share a certain culture and a territory. Perspective is a view of the world and it is referred to as a sociological preservative or sociological imagination. Durkheim’s statement helps us to understand that sociological perspective opens a window to another world or unfamiliar world. As we look at other world or our own, sociological imagination casts another form of light on us. This in return enables us to gain a new vision of social life. In other words it helps us to find out why people do what they do like eating, talking and many more. Sociological imagination also looks at social locations. A social location is where people are located in a particular society. Sociologists consider jobs, age, race, income, gender and they also look at types of jobs we are doing in order to understand our behavior...
Words: 3580 - Pages: 15
