FUNCTIONALIST PERSPECTIVE CONFLICT PERSPECTIVE INTERACTIONIST PERSPECTIVE Major Theoretical Perspectives

Functionalist Perspective Think of society as a living organism in which each part of the organism contributes to its survival. Talcott Parsons was a key figure in the development of the functionalist perspective. Parsons believed that if any aspect of social life does not contribute or serve a purpose to the society as a whole, then it would not be passed down on from one generation to the next.

Example: Prostitution The functionalist perspective views prostitution as a “need” of the society and that is why it has been passed down from one generation to the next. The “buyer” receives sex without any responsibilities and the “seller” at the same time is making a living.

Manifest and Latent Functions Manifest Function: They involve the intended, recognized consequences of an aspect of society. They are open, stated, conscious statements. Latent Functions: Unconscious or unintended functions and may reflect hidden purposes of an institution. Example: College/University Catalogs

In your notebooks… Create a list of 10 things you want in life and 10 things you need in life

Do Now: 1.) Take out Ferris Bueller worksheet from Friday 2.) How different would Ferris’ day be if one element of the movie was changed?

Dysfunctions Dysfunction: refers to an element or a process of society that may actually disrupt a social system or lead to a decrease in stability. Dysfunctional behavior doesn’t have to be a negative behavior. It depends on your own personal position within the society. Example: Detention; for the students it’s a punishment, but for the teacher it is a way to make extra money.

Assignment Provide an example of a behavior/action that you feel is necessary to the stability of society. Create a two column chart that will explain the manifest and latent functions of three different topics. Place your topic on the top of the chart. Then place the manifest function of your topic in the left hand column and the latent function within the right hand column.

Conflict Perspective Conflict perspective assumes that social behavior is best understood in terms of conflict or tension between competing groups. Marx was an advocate of the conflict perspective. He believed that there will always be a dominant group within the social order as well as a subordinate group.

Conflict Perspective Conflict theorists want to know why certain groups are provided with certain opportunities and resources while others in society are not. W.E.B. DuBois felt that African Americans were treated unfairly within American society. DuBois believed that the only way to improve their role in society was through education.

Assignment Select one group within American society that you feel receives “special” treatment over other groups. Write a one page essay on, why you feel this group receives special rights over others?

Do now What is the interactionist perspective?

Interactionist Perspective Generalizes about everyday forms of social interaction in order to understand society as a whole. This view focuses on how human beings interact within a world with meaningful objects. Such as material things, actions, and other people.

George Herbert Mead Widely regarded as the founder of the interactionist perspective. He was a professor at the University of Chicago from 1893 until his death. Just like Charles Horton Cooley, Mead focused on one to one interaction and small groups. He would focus on the most minuet behaviors in order to understand humans.

Mead/Interactionist Perspective The interactionist perspective is also looked at as the symbolic interactionist perspective. The reason why it is reviewed in this light is due to the focus on human beings use of symbolic gestures within their daily lives. Members of society share the same meanings to symbolic gestures. Example: Peace sign????

Interactionist Perspective/Suicide People around the world use different gestures to show meaning. Suicide has many different symbolic gestures around the world. U.S.-people point a finger towards ones head(shooting a gun) Japan- bring a fist to the stomach(stabbing ones stomach) New Guinea- clench a hand towards their throat(hanging ones self) How do all of these various societies develop different gestures for the same behavior? The interactionist perspective became very popular in the 1960’s.

Nonverbal Communication This is when individuals within society are able to communicate without using verbal communication. In everyday society humans communicate nonverbally through their body language. Example: Facial expressions, posture, and gestures. Think of the ways that you communicate without words.

Dramaturgical Approach Erving Goffman popularized a particular type of interactionist method known as the dramaturgical approach. The dramaturgical approach compares everyday life to the setting of the theater of a stage. We all project certain characteristics of our personalities that we want the wider society to view. When do you feel that you are acting on stage throughout your life?