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Structural functionalism, or in many contexts simplyfunctionalism, is a broad perspective in sociology and anthropologywhich sets out to interpret society as a structure with interrelatedparts. Functionalism addresses society as a whole in terms of thefunction of its constituent elements; namely norms, customs,

traditions and institutions. A common analogy, popularized byHerbert Spencer, presents these parts of society as "organs" thatwork toward the proper functioning of the "body" as a whole.Functionalist thought, from Comte onwards, has looked particularlytowards biology as the science providing the closest and mostcompatible model for social science. Biology has been taken toprovide a guide to conceptualizing the structure and the function ofsocial systems and to analysing processes of evolution viamechanisms of adaptation ... functionalism strongly emphasises thepre-eminence of the social world over its individual parts (i.e. itsconstituent actors, human subjects).

Anthony Giddens The Constitution of Society 1984,

Conflict theories are perspectives in social science which

emphasize the social, political or material inequality of a social group,which critique the broad socio-political system, or which otherwisedetract from structural functionalism and ideologicalconservativism.Conflict theories draw attention to power differentials, such as classconflict, and generally contrast historically dominant ideologies.

Certain conflict theories set out to highlight the ideological aspectsinherent in traditional thought. Whilst many of these perspectiveshold parallels, conflict theory does notrefer to a unified school ofthought, and should not be confused with, for instance, peace andconflict studies, or any other specific theory ofsocial conflict.

The chief form ofsocial conflict that Durkheim addressed was crime.Durkheim saw crime as "a factor in public health, an integral part ofall healthy societies."[4] The collective conscience defines certain actsas "criminal." Crime thus plays a role in the evolution of morality andlaw: "[it] implies not only that the way remains open to necessarychanges but that in certain cases it directly prepares thesechanges."[5]

Of the classical founders of social science, conflict theory is most

commonly associated with Karl Marx. Based on a dialecticalmaterialist account history, Marxism posited that capitalism, like

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previous socioeconomic systems, would inevitably produce internaltensions leading to its own destruction.[6]. Marx ushered in radicalchange, advocating proletarian revolution and freedom from theruling classes. It may be noted that Marxism is no less "structural" (or"top-down") in its approach, even if its methodology differs; its major

point of difference with Durkheimian functionalism is broadly political.

symbolic interactionism is a major sociological perspective thatplaces emphasis on micro-scalesocial interaction, which isparticularly important in subfields such as urban sociology and socialpsychology. Symbolic interactionism is derived from Americanpragmatism, especially the work ofGeorge Herbert Mead and CharlesCooley. Herbert Blumer, a student and interpreter of Mead, coinedthe term and put forward an influential summary of the perspective:people act toward things based on the meaning those things have forthem; and these meanings are derived from social interaction andmodified through interpretation. Blumer was also influenced by JohnDewey, who insisted that human beings are best understood inrelation to their environment.[1]

Sociologists working in this tradition have researched a wide range oftopics using a variety of research methods. However, the majority ofinteractionist research uses qualitative research methods, likeparticipant observation, to study aspects of (1) social interactionand/or (2) individuals' selves. Participant observation allowsresearchers to access symbols and meanings

Symbolic Interaction Theory

Explanations >Theories > Symbolic Interaction Theory

Description | Research | Example | So What? | See also | References

Description

People act based on symbolic meanings they find within any givensituation. We thus interact with the symbols, forming relationshipsaround them. The goals of our interactions with one another are tocreate shared meaning.Language is itself a symbolic form, which is used to anchor meaningsto the symbols.Key aspects are:

We act toward others based on the meaning that those otherpeople have for us.

Meaning is created in the interactions we have with otherpeople in sharing our interpretations of symbols.

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Meanings are modified through an interpretive processwhereby we first internally create meaning, then check itexternally and with other people.

We develop our self-concepts through interaction with others. We are influenced by culture and social processes, such as

social norms. Our social structures are worked out through the social

interactions with others.

So what?

Using it

Pay attention to the symbols within the persuasive context and utilizethem. You can place the symbols there. How people interpret them

includes how you interpret them.

Defending

Pay attention to the symbols within the persuasive context and noticehow they are affecting what happens.