Two More Sociological TheoriesTwo More Sociological Theories

Conflict theory’s assumptions: competition for scare resources and the struggle for power are at the heart of all social interactions

Examples are abundant: child abuse, terrorism, sexism, strikes, economic control of populace by big banks, etc..

they don’t deny that some social relationships are ‘functional’ but ask the bigger question, ‘For whom are they functional’? Not all social relationships are positive for the society (functionalist’s perspective) -example of rules in prison

Conflict theory’s assumptions: competition for scare resources and the struggle for power are at the heart of all social interactions

Examples are abundant: child abuse, terrorism, sexism, strikes, economic control of populace by big banks, etc..

they don’t deny that some social relationships are ‘functional’ but ask the bigger question, ‘For whom are they functional’? Not all social relationships are positive for the society (functionalist’s perspective) -example of rules in prison

Review of Conflict TheoryReview of Conflict Theory

Critique of Conflict TheoryCritique of Conflict Theory

over emphasis of the significance of power struggles

ignores many aspects of social life where consensus is possible (example: shared values - health care system)

struggle happens but so does harmony and balance

over emphasis of the significance of power struggles

ignores many aspects of social life where consensus is possible (example: shared values - health care system)

struggle happens but so does harmony and balance

Review FunctionalismReview Functionalism

Functionalists assume that balance, harmony and consensus are the motors of social relations (interdependent parts that change with challenges and conflict but ultimately seek equilibrium)

Each part (group) exists for a reason and has a ‘function’ to perform

a change in one group of the society will mean a corresponding change in another group

social systems don’t change as long as their parts function properly

Functionalists assume that balance, harmony and consensus are the motors of social relations (interdependent parts that change with challenges and conflict but ultimately seek equilibrium)

Each part (group) exists for a reason and has a ‘function’ to perform

a change in one group of the society will mean a corresponding change in another group

social systems don’t change as long as their parts function properly

Critique of FunctionalismCritique of Functionalism

Overemphasizes the harmony and balance possible in social systems

presume that order is more basic than change

implies that the status quo is best

doesn’t explain revolutions and sudden change well (especially in societies where abuse of power brought about the revolution...Egypt, Libya, etc..)

Overemphasizes the harmony and balance possible in social systems

presume that order is more basic than change

implies that the status quo is best

doesn’t explain revolutions and sudden change well (especially in societies where abuse of power brought about the revolution...Egypt, Libya, etc..)

Example of prisons: What is functional for the guards might be highly dysfunctional for the prisoners

Cutbacks in funding means fewer guards and this is seen as dysfunctional by society but functional by inmates because the prison has been weakened

Manifest function: protect society

Latent function: create better criminals?

Example of prisons: What is functional for the guards might be highly dysfunctional for the prisoners

Cutbacks in funding means fewer guards and this is seen as dysfunctional by society but functional by inmates because the prison has been weakened

Manifest function: protect society

Latent function: create better criminals?

Manifest & Latent FunctionsManifest & Latent Functions

Symbolic InteractionismSymbolic Interactionism

3rd theory (George Mead & Charles Cooley)

a micro orientation focusing on how individual people behave in particular social settings

Functionalist and conflict theory see groups, organizations and institutions as exerting STRONG influence on people’s behaviour

Sym. Int. = social structures only have the meaning that the individual assigns to them

3rd theory (George Mead & Charles Cooley)

a micro orientation focusing on how individual people behave in particular social settings

Functionalist and conflict theory see groups, organizations and institutions as exerting STRONG influence on people’s behaviour

Sym. Int. = social structures only have the meaning that the individual assigns to them

Symbolic MeaningSymbolic Meaning

The meaning of a social reality is not predetermined: its meaning is created by the individual

Example: marriage or living together? Predetermined meaning or not?

Meaning is made as a result of people interacting together; thus = symbolic interactionism

People don’t respond to the world around them but to the meaning that they collectively apply to it.

The meaning of a social reality is not predetermined: its meaning is created by the individual

Example: marriage or living together? Predetermined meaning or not?

Meaning is made as a result of people interacting together; thus = symbolic interactionism

People don’t respond to the world around them but to the meaning that they collectively apply to it.

Changing TimesChanging Times

As socially accepted definitions change (example: being ‘gay’ or ‘immigrant’) our behaviour changes. This change is the result of the shift in attitudes that people create because they have redefined what X means.

In research, symbolic interactionists must spend vast amounts of time attempting to understand how their subjects perceive their world since their starting point is that no objective reality is possible because we assign meaning

As socially accepted definitions change (example: being ‘gay’ or ‘immigrant’) our behaviour changes. This change is the result of the shift in attitudes that people create because they have redefined what X means.

In research, symbolic interactionists must spend vast amounts of time attempting to understand how their subjects perceive their world since their starting point is that no objective reality is possible because we assign meaning

CritiqueCritique

It is not a macro theory and therefore lacks the wider perspective of what make a society ‘tick’

Yes, social reality is constructed and this liberates people to be able to change undesirable elements of their lives

But as a theory, it lacks a perspective of the ‘big picture’; ie: the institutions and power structures that exert pressure on the individual

It is not a macro theory and therefore lacks the wider perspective of what make a society ‘tick’

Yes, social reality is constructed and this liberates people to be able to change undesirable elements of their lives

But as a theory, it lacks a perspective of the ‘big picture’; ie: the institutions and power structures that exert pressure on the individual

Theories and research have been ANDROCENTRIC in traditional sociology

Research done on males does not reveal the female reality

Example: major theories of crime are based on research into men’s lives and poorly explain why women turn to crime. Social inequalities poor, homeless, drug addicts) are ideas supported by BOTH the powerful and powerless (the latter ‘buy into’ their own victimization)

Theories and research have been ANDROCENTRIC in traditional sociology

Research done on males does not reveal the female reality

Example: major theories of crime are based on research into men’s lives and poorly explain why women turn to crime. Social inequalities poor, homeless, drug addicts) are ideas supported by BOTH the powerful and powerless (the latter ‘buy into’ their own victimization)

Feminist TheoryFeminist Theory

Conflict + FeministConflict + Feminist

unequal power relationships between men and women are easily explained by conflict theory

example: the pill, women in the workforce, babies, daycare and the economy

female juveniles serve longer prison sentences even for less serious crimes

precocious sexuality gets young women in trouble more than their male counterparts

unequal power relationships between men and women are easily explained by conflict theory

example: the pill, women in the workforce, babies, daycare and the economy

female juveniles serve longer prison sentences even for less serious crimes

precocious sexuality gets young women in trouble more than their male counterparts

GenderOn 31 December 1999, a review of CSC's offender management system revealed that the majority of homicide offenders listed to date are male (96.6%). There were 211 (4.4%) cases of a female offender for whom a homicide offence was listed.

GenderOn 31 December 1999, a review of CSC's offender management system revealed that the majority of homicide offenders listed to date are male (96.6%). There were 211 (4.4%) cases of a female offender for whom a homicide offence was listed.

The Feminist PerspectiveThe Feminist Perspective

It is clear that most crimes are committed by men but we still must account for class and minority status

system social inequalities exist and are accepted as ‘reality’ by both powerful and powerless

the privileged are challenged only when the ‘powerless’ gain resources sufficient to challenge them (example: women’s economic power)

Critique: objectivity or bias in research?

It is clear that most crimes are committed by men but we still must account for class and minority status

system social inequalities exist and are accepted as ‘reality’ by both powerful and powerless

the privileged are challenged only when the ‘powerless’ gain resources sufficient to challenge them (example: women’s economic power)

Critique: objectivity or bias in research?

Case StudyCase Study

• Examine this case using either one of the four theories you have learned so far. Click on the link to listen to the 14 minute video. Which theory best describes this social situation?

• http://www.onf.ca/film/femme_de_tete/

• Examine this case using either one of the four theories you have learned so far. Click on the link to listen to the 14 minute video. Which theory best describes this social situation?

• http://www.onf.ca/film/femme_de_tete/