sociology functionalist perspective conflict perspective interactionist perspective

SociologySociologyFunctionalist PerspectiveFunctionalist Perspective

Conflict PerspectiveConflict Perspective

Interactionist PerspectiveInteractionist Perspective

What is Sociology?What is Sociology?

the study of the origin, development, organization, and functioning of human society; the science of the fundamental laws of social relations, institutions, etc.

Functionalist PerspectiveFunctionalist Perspective

view society as a set of interrelated parts that work together to produce a stable social system

people agree on what is best for society and work together to ensure that the social system runs smoothly


Auguste Comte“father of sociology”focused on social order and social change

social statics – holds society together

social dynamics – social change through definite process


Herbert Spencerinfluenced by Darwinorganic analogy – people are to society like body organs are to the body

believed social Darwinism – weak parts of society will die off


Emile Durkheim social order believed society was a set of

interdependent parts that maintain the system through time

believed only observable phenomena which can be tested

social facts – facts cannot be derived from nor explained solely by the study of separate individuals


focus on the forces of society that promotes competition and change

competition over scarce resources is at the basis of social conflict

social change is an inevitable feature of society


Karl Marx believed the structure of society is

influenced by how its economy is organized

society is divided into 2 classes: bourgeoisie – the capitalists, the

haves, the owners of production proletariats – the workers, the

have-nots, the producers


Karl Marx cont. imbalance in power would lead to conflict between the two classes

the proletariats would revolt and overthrow bourgeoisie.

Then the proletariats would build a classless society

Interactionist Interactionist PerspectivePerspective

Interactionist Perspective focus on how individuals

interact with one another in society

interested in the meanings that individuals attach to their own actions and to the actions of others

Interactionist Perspective cont.interested in how individuals respond to one another in everyday situations

interested in the role symbols play in our daily lives


So…what is a symbol?

A symbol is - anything that represents something else.

meaning is given to symbols by society


Max Weber interested in separate groups within

society rather than society as a whole Verstehen – an attempt to understand

the meaning individuals attach to their actions. (Putting yourself in someone else’s shoes)

Ideal type – essential characteristics of a feature of society

sociology functionalist perspective conflict perspective interactionist perspective

Documents