1. Q. 8 – What are the 3 Major Sociological Perspectives?
Functionalism
Interactionism (Symbolic Interactionist)
Conflict Perspective

2. Q. 8 (Continued) Functionalism
Comte, Spencer, Durkheim, Merton
Society a set of interrelated parts that work together to produce a stable society
Consensus
Not all elements run smoothly
DYSFUNCTION: negative consequence for the lack of stability in society
Example: Crime – disrupts – not stabilizes
There are positive functions and negative functions
Each can be either
MANIFEST or LATENT
Manifest: intended consequence
Latent: unintended consequence
In education, examples of dysfunction include getting bad grades truancy, dropping out, not graduating, and not finding suitable employment.

3. Hold Up! Did you greet anyone yet today in the hallway?
Describe three people you greeted and how you greeted them.
How would you greet someone:
You see every day
You work with
You haven’t seen in a long time

4. Q. 8 (Continued) Interactionist Theory
Weber, Mead
Functionalists and Conflict Theorists focus on society in general or groups
Interactionists focus on individuals and their interaction with each other
Role of symbols in life
Symbol: anything that represents something else
Example: objects, words, gestures
American flag, salute, a high five, slang
How people use symbols is symbolic interaction

5. What do these mean?

6. Q. 8 (Continued) Conflict Perspective
Karl Marx
People in society who possess more power in society control others with less power
Study various groups: women and men, race, family, employers and employees, etc.
Competition over scarce resources (power, wealth)
Group gains control of it – establish rules and procedures to keep it
Protect their interests at expense of other groups
Leads to social conflict – social change – inevitable in society

7. Q. 8 (Continued) Institutions and relationships that are inherently in conflict
Employee/Boss
Teacher/Student
Principal/Student
College Prof./Student
Coach/Player
Landlord/Tenant
Police/Citizen
Shopkeeper/Customer
Parent/child
Wealthy/poor
Name some relationships in which you are in conflict with each day – whether or not you are the controller…or controlled.