Social TheoryIt’s an elephant!

What is Theory?A system of orienting ideas, concepts, and

relationships that provides a way of organizing the observable world.

Provides a conceptual framework for interpreting facts

Story of The Elephant and the Blind Man from Jainism

Conceptual OrientationsStructural functionalism

Symbolic interactionism

Conflict theory

Structural FunctionalismIt all evens out

Structural functionalismSociety is like a biological organism in which all

the various parts must work together to functionReworked by Merton

Society as a whole composed of parts that work together

Equilibrium is key to a functional society

Structural FunctionalismEarly Theorists

August ComteHerbert SpencerEmile DurkheimRobert Merton

Structural FunctionalismFunctions

The consequences of social phenomena for other parts of society or for society as a whole

What is it’s purpose? How does it help society?

DysfunctionsAny consequence of a social system that disturbs

or hinders the integration, adjustment, or stability of the system.

Structural FunctionalismManifest function

The intended function or consequence of some thing or process in a social system.

Latent functionsThe unintended and/or unrecognized function or

consequence of some thing or process in a social system.

Can be positive or negative (dysfunction)

Apply to China’s one child policy

Structural FunctionalsimCriticism

It ignores inequality that can generate tension and conflict

Can be used to justify current conditions and inequality

Symbolic InteractionismIt’s in the eye of the beholder

Symbolic InteractionismExamines how people use symbols to develop and

share their views of the worldFocus on the individual as it interacts with society

Symbolic InteractionismGeorge Herbert Mead

The “I” and the “me”The human mind is a social product

Max WeberThe Protestant ethicReligion lead to the adoption of capitalism in America

Erving GoffmanDramaturgical analysisFront stage/backstage

Symbolic InteractionismHow would symbolic interactionists explain the

rise in the U.S. divorce rate?Shifting beliefs about the purpose of marriageRomantic love Sanctions for divorceRole theory“Push” toward divorce

Symbolic InteractionismIgnores the “big picture” or macro level

Can be too subjective

Difficult to determine reliability and validity

Conflict TheoryI am the 99%

Society is composed of competing groups fighting for scarce resources

Focus on inequalitypower, status, distribution of resources

Action orientedaims to change society through critique and/or

political action

Conflict TheoryWeberian conflict theorists

stress inequality and conflict based on class, status, power

Marxian theorists emphasize conflict and inequality based on

ownership of the means of production

Feminist conflict theorists believe gender inequality is the basis for all other

forms of inequality

Conflict TheoryKarl Marx

The Communist ManifestoBourgeoisie vs. proletariatControl of economic resources key to oppression Advocated revolution to abolish private propertyUtopia – undefined

Fredrick EngelsThe Communist ManifestoBelieved private property responsible for women’s

oppression

Conflict TheoryCriticism

Too political in orientation

Not objective

Structural Functionalism & Research

Structural functionalism

Level of analysis Macro

Research Orientation Positivist Objective reality Neutral observer

Methods Quantitative Experiment Survey Existing Sources

Symbolic Interactionism & Research

Symbolic Interactionism

Level of analysis Micro

Research Orientation Social construction of reality Subjective meaning Researcher is participant

Methods Qualitative Participant observation Interviews Existing sources

Conflict Theory & Research

Conflict theory

Level of analysisMacro

Research OrientationPatterns of oppressionUnequal distribution of resourcesResearcher as activist

MethodsQuantitative and qualitativeSurveyExisting sources