1. Sociological Theory Chapter 1 Part III

2. Sociological Theory ► A theory is a statement of how and why specific facts are related ► The two basic questions to answer in investigating human society  What issues should we study?  How should we connect the facts to form theories about society? ► A theoretical paradigm provides a basic image of society that guides thinking and research  a roadmap for study society  The structural-functional paradigm  The social-conflict paradigm  The symbolic-interaction paradigm

3. ► Complete the theoretical perspectives chart using the following information.

4. The Structural-Functional Paradigm ► A framework for building theory that sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability  Social Structure – relatively stable patterns of social behavior ► The five major structures of society are Family, Religion, Education, Economy, & Politics  Social Functions – consequences for the operation of society ► Manifest Functions – the recognized and intended consequences of a social pattern ► Latent Functions – the unrecognized & unintended consequences ► Social Dysfunctions – undesirable consequences for the operation of society

5. The Structural-Functional Paradigm ► Put more simply, all groups have social structure, and all structures have functions  all structures and functions interrelate ► Macro-level orientation – focus on broad social structures that shape society as a whole

6. The Structural-Functional Paradigm ► Contributors  Auguste Comte – sought to promote social integration during a time of tumultuous change  Herbert Spencer – claimed various social structures, such as family, education, & the economy are interdependent, working in concert to preserve society (like the parts of a human body working together)

7. The Structural-Functional Paradigm  Emile Durkheim – focused on social solidarity  Talcott Parsons -- Saw society as a system, identifying the basic tasks any and all societies must perform to survive and the ways they accomplish these tasks  Robert Merton – manifest functions, latent functions, & social dysfunctions

8. The Structural-Functional Paradigm ► Criticisms  Can’t assume that society has a “natural order” since we know that social patterns vary from place to place and change over time  Ignore inequalities of social class, race, ethnicity, and gender, which all may lead to conflict  if there is conflict, there can’t be stability  Envisions society in very broad terms (Macro approach)

9. The Social-Conflict Paradigm ► A framework for building theory that sees society as an arena of inequality that generates conflict and change ► Highlights division based on inequality  investigates how factors such as social class, race, ethnicity, gender, and age are linked to the unequal distribution of money, power, education, and social prestige

10. The Social-Conflict Paradigm ► Conflict is inevitable, and it produces change, which is good ► Macro-level orientation – focus on broad social structures that shape society as a whole

11. The Social-Conflict Paradigm ► Contributors  W.E.B. Du Bois & Karl Marx ► Both wanted to solve the contemporary problems of society, rather than just study them ► Criticisms  Ignores how shared values and interdependence can generate unity among members of a society  It pursues political goals, therefore it can’t claim scientific objectivity  Envisions society in very broad terms (Macro approach)

12. The Symbolic-Interaction Paradigm ► Framework for building theory that sees society as the product of the everyday interactions of individuals ► Micro-level orientation – focus on social interaction in specific situations

13. The Symbolic-Interaction Paradigm ► Human beings are creatures who live in a world of symbols, attaching meaning to virtually everything ► Society is a complex, ever-changing mosaic of subjective meanings ► Need to look at a social setting from the point of view of the people in it

14. The Symbolic-Interaction Paradigm ► Contributors  Max Weber – Must understand a situation from the point of view of the people in it  George Herbert Mead – we build our personalities over time from social experience  Erving Goffman – dramaturgical analysis  explains how we are actors on a stage playing out various roles  George Homans & Peter Blau – social- exchange analysis  social interaction is a negotiation guided by what individuals stand to gain & lose from others

15. The Symbolic-Interaction Paradigm ► Criticisms  Ignore larger social structures  It is so specific it might overlook widespread effects of culture

16. Applied to Sports ► The Structural-Functional Paradigm  The manifest function of sports include recreation, physical conditioning, & a way to relieve stress  Latent functions include fostering relationships, encourage competition & the pursuit of success  Dysfunctions include decreasing the importance of academics in an arena of education

17. Applied to Sports ► The Social-Conflict paradigm  Sports reflect inequalities  some sports are very expensive to play  the sports we play aren’t always a matter of choice  Throughout history, many sports excluded women  At one time, sports excluded people of color  The one good things about sports, numbers/statistics talk, which helps eliminate any prejudice

18. Applied to Sports ► The Social-Interaction Paradigm  Sports create a constant interaction between opponents and teammates  Individuals might have a position and must follow the rules, but at the same time are spontaneous and unpredictable  Sports aren’t a system, but an ongoing process