1. Sociological Perspectives
Professor Maggie Mendez
Introduction to Sociology

2. What is a Sociological Perspective?
Tool for analyzing social life.
Level of analysis
Macro
Micro
Three major perspectives in Sociology
Functualist Perspective
Conflict Perspective
Symbolic Interaction Perspective

3. Functionalist Perspective
Vision of Society
A system of interrelated parts that function or operate together harmoniously.
Organism
Social System
Macro Perspective

4. Organism Society is viewed as very similar to the human body.
Each part meets a need in order to maintain a normal state of balance.
Organs are viewed as similar to social systems. 4

5. Social Systems
Interdependent network of social institutions (family, school, business, religion, etc.) that shape our live.
Social system contributes the stability of society.
Equilibrium
Disequilibrium 5

6. Macro-level of Analysis
Homelessness
Examine how changes in parts of society have increased homelessness.
Economy
Family

7. Conflict Perspective Vision of Society Macro Perspective
Society is constantly changing in response to social inequality and conflict.
Power struggle
Social Change
Macro Perspective

8. Resources, Control, Authority
Power Struggle
Wealth, Power, Prestige
Resources, Control, Authority
Various groups are in conflict to compete for limited resources, control, or authority.
Dominate
Groups
Subordinate
Groups 8

9. Social Change Conflict is inevitable and can be beneficial.
Leads to social change.
Example:
Civil Rights Movement
Desegregation

10. Macro Level of Anaysis Homelessness
Examine the struggle between social classes.
Upper classes control the economy

11. Symbolic Interactionist Perspective
Vision of Society
Focus on meanings that people place on their own and one another’s behavior.
Symbols
Society is created through social interaction.
Micro Perspective

12. Symbols
People use symbols to develop views about the world and communicate with one another.
Define ourselves and others
Relationships
Self-concept
Social interactions allows society to exist

13. Micro Level of Analysis
Homelessness
Analyze the culture and communication of homeless people.
How do they survive?
How do they interact with one another in the shelters and streets?

14. Summary and Review Perspective Level of Analysis Point of View
Explaining the Homelessness
Functionalist
Marco level
Various parts of society are interdependent and related.
Examine how changes in parts of society have increased homelessness.
Conflict
Macro level
Struggle for scarce resources by groups in society.
Examine the struggle between social classes.
Symbolic Interactionist
Micro level
How people use symbols to create society.
Analyze the culture and communication of homeless people.