Warm it up… What is the Sociological Perspective? Factors that led to development of Sociology as a discipline… (remember your hand gestures)

Chapter 1: Sociological Perspective Objectives: Understand the difference between Macro- and Micro-Sociology Identify the three major sociological perspectives (Symbolic-Interactionism, Functional Analysis, Conflict Theory)

Draw for me… On your white boards draw 2 different pictures. Picture #1: draw what you think of when you hear the word “Micro” Picture #2: draw what you think of when you hear the word “Macro”

Macro- vs. micro-SOciology

Sociological Perspectives Macro- vs. Micro- Macrosociology: analysis of social life that focuses on broad features of society, such as social class and the relationships of groups to one another; an approach usually used by functionalists and conflict theorists Microsociology: analysis of social life that focuses on social interaction; an approach usually used by symbolic interactionists

Three Sociological Perspectives Symbolic Interactionism Definition: 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 others. microsociology (small scale)  life without symbols = animals  meaning of symbols changes over time (i.e.—children, divorce)

Three sociological perspectives Functional Analysis aka: functionalism/structural functionalism Definition: theoretical framework in which society is viewed as composed of various parts, each with a function that, when fulfilled, contributes to society’s equilibrium macrosociology (large scale) society = living organism manifest functions: the intended beneficial consequences of people’s actions latent functions: unintended beneficial consequences of people’s actions latent dysfunctions: unintended harmful consequences of people’s actions

Three sociological perspectives Conflict Theory Definition: a theoretical framework in which society is viewed as composed of groups competing for scarce resources macrosociology (large scale) conflict present in any relationship that involved authority  struggle to get or maintain legitimate power (authority)

Perspectives Usual Level of Analysis Focus of Analysis Key Terms Applying the Perspectives to the US divorce rate Symbolic Interactionism Microsociological—examines small scale patterns of social interaction Face-to-face ineraction, how people use symbols to create social life Symbols Interaction Meanings Definitions Industrialization and urbanization changed marital roles and led to a redefinition of love, marriage, children and divorce Functional Analysis Macrosociological—examines large-scale patterns in society Relationships among the parts of society; how these parts are functional or dysfunctional Structure Functions (manifest or latent) Dysfunctions Equilibrium As social change erodes the traditional functions of the family, family ties weaken, and the divorce rate increases Conflict Theory The struggle for scarce resources by groups in a society; how the elites use their power to control the weaker groups Inequality Power Conflict Competition Exploitation When men control economic life, the divorce rate is low because women find few alternatives to bad marriage; the high divorce rate reflects a shift in the balance of power between men and women.