Sociology Ch. 1 The Sociological Perspective Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology

Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology Theory: Def.- a general statement about how some parts of the world fit together and how they work; an explanation of how two or more facts are related to one another. Sociologists use 3 major theories: Symbolic Interactionism Functional Analysis Conflict Theory -These theories are used to observe and interpret social contexts, relationships, and realities in distinct ways.

Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology Symbolic Interactionism: Def.- a theoretical perspective in which society is viewed as composed of symbols that people use to establish meaning, develop their views of the world, and communicate with one another. -Focusing on a micro level, it studies the different ways that individuals & small groups create, disseminate, and/or interpret “reality” through their everyday, face-to-face interactions.

Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology What do we mean by “symbols?” The things to which we attach meaning Symbols not only allow relationships to exist, but shape society. Review the list (pg. 23-24): Applying Symbolic Interactionism

Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology Central to symbolic interactionalism is the position that to make a value judgment about change (or anything else) requires a value framework from which to view the change. Symbolic interactionalism provides no such framework. Symbolic interactionalists can analyze social change, but they cannot pass judgment on that change. Functional Analysis: Def.- a theoretical framework in which society is viewed as composed of various parts, each with a function that, when fulfilled, contributes to society’s equilibrium; also knows as functionalism & structural functionalism.

Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology Focusing on the macro level, functional analysis examines how the various parts of society work together to fulfill their respective functions and, consequently, create a harmonious society. It also looks at how parts of society occasionally dysfunction, negatively affecting other parts of society and contributing to a more unstable society. Robert Merton: 1910 – 2003 Maintained functionalism- the image of society as a whole composed of parts that work together.

Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology Manifest Functions: Def.- the intended beneficial consequences of people’s actions. Latent Functions: Def.- the unintended beneficial consequences of people’s actions. List (pg. 26-27) Applying Functional Analysis

Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology Conflict Theory: Def.- a theoretical framework in which society is viewed as composed of groups competing for scarce resources. Conflict theory, also functioning on the macro level, views the social world in terms of competing groups struggling over scarce resources. Using sociological analysis, it examines how people with wealth or power maintain and/or impose their wealth or power, and how people without wealth or power work to acquire wealth or power.

Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology Authority: Def.- Power that people consider legitimate, as rightly exercised over them; also called legitimate power.

Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology Levels of Analysis: Macro & Micro Macro-level Analysis: Def.- an examination of large scale patterns of society. Micro-level Analysis: Def.- an examination of small scale patterns of society.

Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology Social Interaction: Def.- what people do when they are in one another’s presence. Non-Verbal Interaction: Def.- communication without words through gestures, use of spaces, silence, and so on.

Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology Copy the chart from pg. 30 Major Theoretical Perspective in Sociology Symbolic Interactionism (George Mead) Functional Analysis (Robert Merton) Conflict Theory