Chapter 2, Theoretical perspectives and Methods of Social Research The Functionalist Perspective The Conflict Perspective The Symbolic Interactionist Perspective Research Methods

Functionalist Perspective Focuses on questions related to order and stability in society. Society is made up of parts. Each part functions to maintain a larger system. A function is the contribution a part makes to order and stability within that system.

Critique of Functionalism Defends existing arrangements, is conservative by nature. A part may not serve any function when it is first introduced. Has difficulty accounting for the origins of social instability.

Conflict Perspective Ask who benefits from a particular pattern or social arrangement and at whose expense? Capitalist explanation of proletariat is disguised by a façade of legitimacy.

Facades of Legitimacy Blaming the victims by proposing that character flaws impede their chances of success Emphasizing that the less successful benefit from the system established by the powerful.

Critique of Conflict Theory Overemphasizes divisions between dominate and subordinate groups and underemphasize the stability and order that exists in societies. Neglects situations in which consumers, citizens groups, or workers modify how capitalists use profit.

Symbolic Interactionist Perspective Focus on how people make sense of the world and how they influence and are influenced by others. Symbols play a central role in social interactions. People must share a symbol system if they are to communicate with one another.

Critique of Symbolic Interaction Symbolic Interactionist presence as observer can skew the data. Ignores social facts. Cannot account for social structures and processes that are larger than the individuals interaction with them.

Scientific Method Relies on two assumptions: Knowledge about the world is acquired through observation. Truth of the knowledge is confirmed by verification.

Research Steps Choosing topic and research question. Reviewing literature. Identifying core concepts. Choosing a research design, forming hypotheses, and collecting data. Analyzing the data. Drawing conclusions.

Relation Between Independent and Dependent Variables 3 conditions must be met : Independent variable must precede the dependent variable in time. Variables must be correlated. Establishing a correlation is not in itself sufficient to proving causation.