1. SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES
THEORIES OF SOCIOLOGY

2. THEORY
A systematic explanation of relationships among phenomena: Why do things happen?
Sociologists use theories to guide their work and help interpret their findings.

3. THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVE
General assumptions about the nature of phenomena and social life.
Three main theoretical perspectives:
Functionalist perspective
Conflict perspective
Interactionist perspective

4. FUNCTIONALIST
View society as a set of interrelated parts that work together to form a stable society.
They view elements of society in terms of their function (what they do for society)
Topics that interest functionalist include division of labor, family, and education.

5. FUNCTIONALIST
Functionalist also realize things don’t always run smoothly
DYSFUNCTION-has negative consequences for society and ruin the stability (Crime)
Herbert Spencer and Emile Durkheim are functionalist

6. CONFLICT PERSPECTIVE
Focus on forces in society that promote competition and change.
They are interested in who has more power in society and how they exercise control over those with less power.
They are interested in violent and non- violent competition between groups
Resources are often limited and conflict theory are interested in the competition to get those resources.
Karl Marx is a well known conflict theorist

7. INTERACTIONIST
Focus on how individuals interact with society. They are interested in how individuals interact in everyday.
Many label themselves social psychologist.

8. INTERACTIONIST
They also study the role of symbols and the meanings society attaches to them.
This is known as symbolic interaction.
Ex-Flags, religious symbols

9. SCENERIO
SCENERIO/SOCIAL ISSUE: On average, African- Americans serve more jail then their white counterparts when charged with the same crime.
What is the reason for this?
Answer from each perspective and justify your answer.
FUNCTIONALIST
CONFLICT THEORIST
INTERACTIONALIST

10. Classify the Sociologist by their Beliefs:
1. Max Weber
2. Harriet Martineau
3. Karl Marx
4. Jane Addams
5. August Comte
6. W.E.B. Dubois
7. Herbert Spencer
8. Emile Durkheim