Contemporary Theoretical Perspectives Structural Functionalism Social Conflict Symbolic Interactionism

Theory A statement of how and why specific facts are related Theoretical Approach: a basic image of society that guides thinking and research Think of theories as lenses that we look through to view sociology in different ways.

Structural Functionalist Perspective Views society as a complex system whose parts work together to create stability Focus on institutions that shape society as a whole The family, education, government, religion & economy Consequences affect all institutions, not just one Example: Difficult home life affects an adolescent’s performance in school

Structural Functional Lens Herbert Spencer compared society to the “body” and the parts of society (norms, customs, traditions, institutions) to “organs” All parts or “organs” are important and have a specific function Other Theorists: Auguste Comte, Talcott Parsons, and Robert Merton

Structural Functional Lens How does society become dysfunctional? – Parts of society that create dysfunction include poverty, crime and prostitution

Social Conflict Lens Think about Social Conflict Theory in relation to shopping… Everyone in society is competing for power and resources Conspicuous Consumption

“Shopping entails the joy of going into a safe spot filled with things to look at where shoppers are treated deferentially. Although no one has hooked up a lie detector to a shopper, if they did, the machine would register increased arousal, heightened involvement, perceived freedom and fantasy fulfillment.” (Twitchell, sociological scholar) “Get in loser, we’re going shopping.” -Mean Girls

Social Conflict Lens Views society as an arena of inequality that creates conflict and change Groups compete for control of scarce resources – “Owners” vs. “Workers” – Continuous conflict between the two ends in revolution Inspired by Karl Marx Functional Theory looks for stability, whereas Conflict Theory looks for tension

Symbolic Interactionism Lens The way we learn to interpret and give meaning to the world through our interactions with others Interactions are interpreted through existing symbols – Verbal & non-verbal communication – Understanding symbols is important to understanding human behavior Theorists: George Herbert Mead, Erving Goffman and Herbert Blumer

Symbolic Interactionism Lens Dramaturgical Approach (Erving Goffman) – Compares everyday life to actors on a stage – We wear a variety of masks & act differently depending on the situation we are placed in Focus on people’s face to face interactions and the roles people play