Theory The Framework of Sociology

Sociological Perspectives The three “perspectives” of Sociology Alienation as an example of theory

Sociological Perspectives The “story” of Sociology tends to be placed in boxes. While sociologists are associated with certain perspectives, they are more complex that your text suggests. To make it easy to understand, Sociology is divided into “perspectives.”

Sociological Perspectives Conflict –Society changes as a result of struggles of various groups against each other as a result of inequality. Interactionist –The world is socially constructed - meaning that we interpret the world around us and act based on those interpretations. Functionalist –The elements of society are understood by their role (function) in maintaining society.

Conflict Perspective Recognizes inequality between groups. To understand history and society, we must understand how people use power to their advantage. Does NOT assume conflict is inevitable.

Conflict Perspective The Conflict Perspective studies conflicts and inequalities between groups. –Ethnic Conflict –Media The Conflict Perspective also suggests changes. –Informs public policy decisions. –Studies and participates in social movements.

Interactionist Perspective Interactionists focus on the “social construction” of the world around us. They focus on the meaning that people attach to actions and institutions. They also may look at how that meaning is manipulated by people in power (notice the link to conflict theory).

Interactionist Perspective The Interactionist Perspective attempts to understand the meanings people associate with their social actions and the social institutions around them. –What meaning do people attach issues? Ethnic Conflict Media

Functionalist Perspective Assumes the natural state is order or equilibrium. Attempts to understand the role of various social institutions and practices to maintain that order. Institutions and practices that disturb the order are considered deviant. –But even deviance plays a role in society!

Functionalist Perspective People who follow the Functionalist Perspective attempt to demonstrate how different social institutions provide a function for society. –How do social institutions provide order or become disordered? Ethnic Conflict Media

Sociological Perspectives Conflict (Marx) –Society changes as a result of struggles of various groups against each other as a result of inequality. Interactionist (Weber) –The world is socially constructed - meaning that we interpret the world around us and act based on those interpretations. Functionalist (Durkheim) –The elements of society are understood by their role (function) in maintaining society.

Alienation Theory as an application to your experiences at work.

Your Job What do you like about your job? –What do think are the positive elements of a good job? What do you hate about your job? –What are the worst things about a bad job?

Human Nature? Because of how we evolved, people really desire to be creative and produce something (usually with their hands) in a social context.

Alienation According to Karl Marx, there are 4 forms of alienation. –Product –Process –Others –Species Being These forms of alienation take away our “human nature.”

Alienation from Product Estrangement from the things we make –The things we make do not belong to us. –As the worker produces, they are debilitated. Estrangement from nature –Workers do not engage environment directly. –Products take on a life of their own.

Alienation from Product Alienation –? –Perhaps, we have no connection to the product we produce, so we don’t recognize we should in our typical jobs! “Now that’s the best quarter pounder I ever made!” Less Alienated –Something I like –Meaningful (product) –Difference in the world –Accomplish Something –Work outside Less Alienated –Something I like –Meaningful (product) –Difference in the world –Accomplish Something –Work outside

Alienation from Process The mental aspect is stripped from labor. –People do not have control over their work. People do not meet their needs directly. –Work is a means to earn wages. –Wages are used to buy the things we need.

Alienation from Process –Boring Dead End, Needs to be different, Tedious, Mindless, Meaningless tasks, Nothing to do –Bad Management No Respect, Push you to work hard, No support, Bosses engage in politics, Do not work Micromanage, Rigid rules, Unjust policies, Opinions do not matter –Low Wages No Benefits –Long Hours Understaffed –Not enough hours Part time –No Advancement –Interferes with other parts of life –No free time –Being deployed away from home –Low Wages No Benefits –Long Hours Understaffed –Not enough hours Part time –No Advancement –Interferes with other parts of life –No free time –Being deployed away from home

Less Alienation from Process –Job is interesting Variation - different Mentally challenging Learn new skills Choices –Good Management Respect Do not expect too much Help Fair Acknowledge work –Wages Bonuses –Benefits Insurance/Health Care –Flexible Work hours Good Work hours –Possibility for Advancement –Wages Bonuses –Benefits Insurance/Health Care –Flexible Work hours Good Work hours –Possibility for Advancement

Alienation from Others Relations between people become relations between people and objects. –No longer meet our needs through people we know. People treat each other as workers, not as fellow people.

Alienation from Others Alienation –Bad Co-Workers Work less/lazy Complain Conflict Office politics Discrimination –Bad Customers Make it difficult Rude (Cell Phones) Belittled Don’t cooperate or understand Less Alienated –Get along with co- workers Fun Social Communication –Get along with people –Work with people Less Alienated –Get along with co- workers Fun Social Communication –Get along with people –Work with people

Alienation from Species Being What it means to be a social being is lost in wage work. –We lose our creative sense of self and do not identify with our work, but “animal” functions. –The social nature of making things is taken away since we usually do not know who ends up with the things we make.

Alienation from Species Being Alienation –Don’t like Job Stress Unhappy –Put on "fake smile" –Rather be doing other things –Takes time out of the day Less Alienated –Job Satisfaction Keep busy Low stress Fun / feel good –Something I want to do –Meaningful (to society/self) –Keep healthy / physical Less Alienated –Job Satisfaction Keep busy Low stress Fun / feel good –Something I want to do –Meaningful (to society/self) –Keep healthy / physical

Animal Functions What do I value in my free time? –Sex –Sleep/Naps –Eating –Nothing - No Thinking

Species Being in Free Time Product –Outdoors / lake Process –Creative –Flexible –Stress Free –Relax –No pressure to get things done –No management –No one yelling at you –Am own boss Others –Family –Friends –Socialization –Party Species –Do what you want or like –Freedom –Independence –Fun –Athletic Others –Family –Friends –Socialization –Party Species –Do what you want or like –Freedom –Independence –Fun –Athletic

Inequality Exercise Answer the worksheet on your own. –Place your answers on the back of worksheet. Find 2 to 3 people to discuss your answers. –Place your consensus answer on the back.