1. Conflict Theory
Sociology

2. 3 Major Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology
Symbolic Interactionism
Functional Analysis
Conflict Theory

3. Understanding Conflict
Conflict is a natural disagreement resulting from individuals or groups that differ in attitudes, beliefs, values or needs
It can also originate from past rivalries and personality differences
Examples of conflicting
values: individualism vs
teamwork, family life vs career,

4. What is conflict?

5. Conflict theory vs Marxism
Conflict theory: power is the core of ALL social relationships
Marxism: much like conflict theory but power is gained through economics
Characterized by an economic struggle between the haves and have-nots.

6. Conflict Theory Alternative to functionalism
Macrosociological theoretical perspective
Resentment and hostility are constant elements of society
Power differences among social classes
Special interest groups fight over scarce resources of society
Interest groups fight to gain advantages over others

7. Conflict Theory (Cont’d)
Competition puts society off-balance until dominant group gains control and stability through power

8. Influences Karl Marx (1818-1883)
Humanist: wanted all individuals to reach their full human potential
Believed humans make their own history (historical method)
Controlling material production division of labor formation of economic social classes Class struggle
Trying to combine material and ideal factors/ structural and cultural factors
Founder of the conflict theory
Influenced by the consequences of the Industrial Revolution in Europe

9. Karl Marx
Bourgeoisie – small group of capitalists who own the means to produce wealth
Proletariat – mass of workers exploited by the bourgeoisie
To be fair…Marx witnessed capitalism in its infancy
Class differences have a lot to do with possession of personal property
Believed the exploited would become conscious and unite communism  elimination of class struggle

10. Conflict Theory Today
Some sociologists use conflict theory in a much broader sense than Marx
Result = constant struggle throughout society to determine who has authority and how far it goes

11. Conflict Theory Today
Lewis Coser ( ) – argued conflict was most likely to develop among people in close relationships
People work out a distribution of responsibilities, privileges, power, and rewards
Defined conflict as “a struggle over values and claims to scarce status, power and resources in which the aims of the opponents are to neutralize, injure, or eliminate their rivals.”
Conflicts between intergroups and intragroups are part of social life

12. Feminists and Conflict Theory
View = conflict between men and women (not a united feminist view)
At the core of feminist perspective is the issue of gender inequality, both at home and in the workplace.
The emphasis for feminists is social change.

13. Applying the conflict Theory – why is the US divorce rate so high?
Number of marriages: 2,118,000 (2012)
Marriage rate: 6.8 per 1,000 total population
Divorce rate: 3.6 per 1,000 population (44 reporting States and D.C.)
Conflict theorists – male / female relationships have changed. Men used to dominate
With industrialization, women can meet their basic needs outside of marriage
They don’t need to rely / put up with male conflict
Also the trend of marriage has been steadily declining

14. Summary Dominance of men over women once considered natural and right
As women gained education and earnings, they lost willingness to accept this
Divorce rates up – women not putting up w/ unfair relationships

15. Relevancy
Maintains that what social order does, is the result of power elites’ coercion of masses
Those without power seek social change
Two class system by Marx
Contemporary conflict theorists don’t limit power to just economics, but also look at other issues

16. Relevancy (cont’d) Three criticisms of conflict theory:
Ignores other ways (i.e. non-forceful ways in which people reach agreements
Sides with people who lack power
Focuses on economic factors as the sole issue for all conflict in society
This primarily is for Marx’s approach

17. Relevancy (cont’d)
Differences in power are in all types of interaction
Power used to be physical, but now, it’s legal and economic

18. Macro vs. Micro
Macro – functionalists & conflict theorists focus on large scale patterns
Micro – symbolic interactionists focus on what people do in each other’s presence