1. Sociologist use three main perspectives to try and explain human society.

2.  Theory:  Explanation of relationships among particular phenomena.  Theoretical Perspectives:  General set of assumptions about the nature of things.  Outlines specific ideas about the nature of life.

3.  Views society as a set of interrelated parts that work together to produce a stable social system.  Functionalist assume that most people agree on what is best for society and will work together to ensure the social system runs smoothly.

4.  View society in terms of functions or their positive consequences for society.  Recognizing that not everything in society runs smoothly, functionalist label certain elements as dysfunctional.  A dysfunction is the negative consequence an element has for the stability of society.

5.  Focuses on the forces in society that promote competition and change.  Follow in the tradition of Karl Marx.  Interested in how those who have more power in society exercise control over those with less power.  Conflict that arise over scarce resources is the basis of social conflict.

6.  Focuses on how individuals interact with one another in society.  Interested in how individuals respond to each other in everyday situations.  Interested in the meanings that individuals attach to their own actions and the actions of others.