1. 3 Sociological Perspectives

2. Functionalist Perspective View of Society Society is made up of parts (like a body) When all parts work, society runs smoothly Believe in the human desire for stability Also called Structural Functionalist

3. Functionalist Perspective Early Sociologists Auguste Comte Herbert Spencer Emile Durkheim Generally a conservative theory

4. Functionalist Perspective Role of Sociologist Look at elements of society and: 1.Find their intended purpose 2.Find out what they are not doing

5. Functionalist Perspective Questions Addressed: How does the part work? What patterns exist? What are the consequences of the structure? Function (+ consequence for stability of society) v. dysfunction (- consequence for stability of society) Manifest (intended) v. latent (unintended) consequences

6. Functionalist Perspective Examples of function v. dysfunction Battered women’s plea + Helps women - Used wrongly Poverty + “dirty work” gets done - people live in poverty

7. Conflict Perspective View of Society Society is in a constant state of conflict (violent and nonviolent) Everyone is competing for scarce resources ($) Competition = inequality This conflict is a source of inevitable social change

8. Conflict Perspective Early Sociologists Karl Marx

9. Conflict Perspective Role of Sociologist Identify conflicting elements of society and how they work

10. Conflict Perspective Questions Addressed Who benefits from this structure? (inequality) How are the inequalities maintained? Example: Schools

11. Interactionist Perspective View of Society Society has personal meanings for human actions and these shape how we develop Examples: Why do 2 children in same family turn out differently? How does growing up in a middle class household affect you v. if you had grown up in a working class household?

12. Interactionist Perspective Early Sociologists Max Weber

13. Interactionist Perspective Role of Sociologist Look for symbols and how the meaning of those symbols affect behavior. Interested in the meanings that individuals attach to their own actions and the actions of others.

14. Interactionist Perspective Questions Addressed: How do a person’s individual experiences affect society as a whole? Examples: Mate selection Child development