Chapter 1 Section 3 Modern Perspectives

 “School of Thought”  A general set of assumptions about the nature of things  Outlines specific ideas about that nature of social life Theoretical Perspective

 Broadly based on the ideas of Spencer, Comte, and Durkheim  View society as a set of interrelated parts that work together to produce a stable social system  Society is held together through consensus  Topics of interest: functions of family, religion, education, and the economy in society Functionalist Perspective (Functionalism)

 Functions: positive consequences for society as a whole  Dysfunction: negative consequences for the stability of a social system (ex. Crime)  Manifest Function: intended and recognized consequence of some function of society (ex. Manifest function of an automobile is to provide speedy transportation from one location to another  Latent Function: un intended and unrecognized consequence of an element of society (ex. Latent function of an automobile is to display wealth and gain social standing) Role of Functions

 Broadly based on the ideas of Karl Marx  Focus on the forces in society that promote social change and competition  Topics of interest: how those who possess more power in society exercise control over those with less power, competition between various groups in society (men vs. women; different ages, races, etc.)  NOT limited to the study of violent conflict Conflict Perspective

 Feminist theory is often seen as an extension of conflict perspective  Focuses on one particular area of inequality-gender  Feminist theorists believe gender inequality is created by society (not biology) and is reinforced by social institutions (religion, family, and education) Feminism

 Broadly based on the work of Max Weber  Focuses on how individuals interact with one another in society  How do individuals respond to one another in everyday situations?  Topics of interest: child development, relationships within small groups, mate selection, symbolism Interactionist Perspective

 What is the role of symbols in our daily lives?  Members of society must agree on the meaning that is attached to a given symbol (ex. American flag, the bald eagle, Fourth of July)  Symbolic Interaction: how people use symbols when interacting  Three essential elements: meaning, language, and thought Symbols

 Pg. 18 #1-6 Homework