Theoretical Perspectives Pages Complete your Vocab for Section 3 Do questions

Perception—How the Brain Interprets what it sees or experiences

Old Lady or Young This allusion is 100 years old!! Do you see a beautiful young girl or a tired old woman. It is difficult (impossible?) to see both images at the same time.

Because we are used to seeing something one way….

Sociology has 3 different perspectives— Which one is right? Don’t know. All, one, none. They are “Theoretical Perspectives”— assumptions accepted as true.

THE Sociological Perspectives Functionalism Functionalism Conflict Perspective Conflict Perspective Symbolic Interactionism Symbolic Interactionism

Each perspective is held true by it’s supporters These assumptions help them organize their research. The theories can exist at the same time; They can conflict with one another and They can encourage growth Most of all, they EXPLAIN!!

Your turn… Activity Activity Divide into equal groups— Divide into equal groups— – a. You will “outline” your theory in a “bulleted fashion describing What the theory is and facts that can make it easier to understand. What the theory is and facts that can make it easier to understand. Important People? Associated with your theory. Important People? Associated with your theory. How does this theory contribute to society? How does this theory contribute to society? – b. You will figure out a way to demonstrate one of these theories to your classmates. You must be able to demonstrate your theory in less than 90 seconds and then explain what you’re demonstrating—just in case we can’t figure out your “acting.”

Functionalism Sees society as a whole—all parts of society contributing the success. A change in one part leads to a change in the whole This change may lead to unrest but the parts will lead it back to stability—even though it may look a bit different…

Think more seriously How women change if men are taken to war. How Civil rights led to educational changes. How the changes in the economy can change life. How mom / dad’s role in the home can change a family…

Side Note: (sort of…) manifest function secondary—latent function There are 2 types of change—the intended change known as manifest function and the secondary—latent function that may happen as a result – You have to walk ½ to your new school… Manifest function—get to school Latent—more exercise, lose weight! Not all functions (change) are positive but it contributes

Dysfunction These are the “down side” functions On your walk to school, you may get wet in the weather here or your tardies may increase… To conclude: functionalism American society agrees on the importance of our values in a functional society and therefore we cooperate to accomplish these….

Think about it: How has school Changed for you in your career… Now, what are the manifest and latent functions of your education…

Activity—Crossing the River The person who can persuade the person across from them to change sides will get a reward. – You cannot speak to one another. – There can be only one winner – You have 5 minutes  Observors  What do you see happening  What methods were used to solve the problem  Describe any sort of cooperation, frustration or problems that occur

Everyone: What role did competition play? How does power come into play? What happens to the person who does NOT have the power? What attitude did the winners and losers exhibit? As the “power” shifted, what began to happen?

Think about--- American military vrs Taliban? Japanese? Germans? Whomever at a particular time. Whites v. Blacks right after Civil War, Blacks vrs white during the civil rights era. American cavalry v. the Native Americans in the 1880s THEN the Native Americans v. the American authorities during the 1980’s Women wanting out of the home v. men who didn’t want to let them go Teenagers v. parents / teachers

 Through conflict there is change  Change comes with the shift in power  Conflict can be “painful” but can lead to positive change.  The people with the power control— constrain—those who don’t (who lose…)  Competition plays a big part in looking at the conflict perspective.

Symbolic Interactionism Change your thoughts from large group to how people interact. New thought: groups change because of the members and how they interact…

Symbols Something chosen to represent something else.

A gesture or word an expression Symbols are real ways of expressing something that you may not be able to see.

The symbol itself doesn’t necessarily mean anything…Those who create it give its meaning.

By accepting common symbols, cooperation (and all that goes with it) results.

Symbolic Interactionism

How do we learn Symbolic Interactionism From watching other people By reacting to the symbols By deciding how WE will use them— interact to/with others Internal conversations This determines how society will proceed

Dramaturgy Human interaction as drama

Internal Conversation Watch TV Do your homework