Structural Functionalism, Conflict Theory, And Symbolic Interactionism

There are social problems in society today that to better understand them theories are used. Theories are a set of statements that explains the relationship between phenomena (Sullivan, 2016. P. 7). In order to understand the relationship it has to be looked at in theoretical perspectives. Functionalism, conflict theory and interactionism are all theoretical perspectives that help us to see the different types of behavior and interactions in society. Functionalism focuses on the operation of society and what contributes to its functions as an whole. Conflict theory looks at different groups of society in how insufficient help leads to those with authority and power to control those who are less prestige. Interactionism focuses on the one to one interactions of individuals and how it contributes to an individuals behavior.The functionalism and conflict theory looks at things on a macro level, focusing on large groups and society altogether. Interactionism looks at things on a micro level, a more personal look on one to one interactions amongst individuals versus

By utilizing the different the three main sociological perspectives of functionalism, conflict theory and symbolic interactions. In looking at how religion functions in social structures, social systems, and small group interpersonal interactions a sociologist could formulate a better understanding of religion 's role in society and the human experience. The sociologist looks at the individual, and how that individual connects to a specific societal location or setting and specifically at religion a sociological study could determine the power religion holds over people and societies. Understanding the cultural universals of religion and the differences in how individuals and societies experience religion could aid in our understanding society, social forces and human behaviors.

In the macro level, there are two sociological perspectives, and they are the structural functionalism and the social conflict. Structural functionalism is the perspective that places emphasis on stability and integration, and Social conflict is

Global poverty is one of the biggest epidemics that many countries face today. In this paper I will first explain functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. Secondly, I will explain the different causes of global poverty. Thirdly, I will collect my own data to explain poverty in one country. Finally, I will identify the idea of ethnocentric and culturally relative.

Functionalism and conflict theory tries to explain the purpose for or why social stratification exists; however, symbolic interactionism discusses differences the social stratification creates in everyday life. Functionalism assumes that the structure of society and the processes exist because they both have an important for society’s stability and continuity. Functionalists assume that stratification exists because it also has important functions in society. Functionalist view provocatively argues that poverty exists because it serves certain positive functions for our society. According to the functionalist perspective, there are many functions of poverty such as (1) the poor folks will do unwanted jobs, (2) since the poor have to work at

Functionalism: religion gives us values and norms to follow, which in turn keeps us “in line” and ultimately serving the greater good of humanity. Conflict theory: there will never be only one religion, so there will always be religions constantly at war with each other, trying to obtain power over the others to become the “ultimate” religion. Symbolic interactionism: religion is something people attach themselves to. It’s a symbol we use to define who we are and what we believe. A lot of people view their religion as their master status.

The sociological perspective is a way of looking at the world through a “sociological lens”. In order to best use the sociological perspective, it is important to use a “beginner’s mind”, which is essentially seeing things in a new light and leaving behind all preconceptions. The macro level of the social world examines large-scale social structures, while the micro level of the social world involves face-to-face and small-group interactions. Both macrosociology and microsociology attempt to better understand society, groups, individuals, and institutions. Some sociological theories are better at explaining the social world at a macro level than they are at a micro level, and vice versa. Structural Functionalism and Conflict Theory are best for macrosociology while Symbolic Interactionism is best for microsociology. The purpose of this paper is to explain how the sociological perspective has helped me better understand the social world on both a macro and micro level.

There are three major social theories that help sociologist take a deeper look into society as a whole and understand why things may be the way they are. These theories are known as Theoretical Paradigms and it consists of structural functionalism, social conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. Structural functionalism is the blueprint for these theories, it envisions society as a complex system whose elements operate together to encourage solidarity and stability. Its main focus is “focusing on social structures as well as the functions that such structures perform” (Ritzer 29). Robert Meron, a structural functionalist, developed the concepts for this theory especially the central concept, functions. “These are the observable, positive consequences of a structure that help it survive, adapt, and adjust.” (Ritzer 29). Like all the other theories and studies in the world of sociology, structural functionalism comes with its own strengths and weaknesses. Exceptionally, the functionalist theory is the foundation for everything, it defines that everything has a purpose, job, or function in our society. What that recognizes is that society is constructed of integrated parts that are drawn together, consequently, if something is wrong with one it will affect the other. The functionalist theory neglects to explain opposition to social

Social change is the transformation of behavior, culture, social structure and institutions over time. Factors like women education, infrastructures and technology have changed over time to a modern state. There are factors that affect modernization such as social bonds decreases as a society becomes modern; Cultural values and traditions that define a group is lost and the norms become weaker; People turn to think for themselves and begin to deviate from societal norms and might commit deviance.

Functionalisms reign was dominant through earl 1950s through late 1960s. August Comte, Herbert Spencer, and Emile Durkheim played important roles in the development of the theory. Talcott Parsons, another important writer of the functionalist theory, attempted to develop concepts that would help organize our perception of reality. He also developed a fourfold classification scheme, Adoption, Goal attainment, interagation, and latency. Adaptation refers to the idea that systems are embedded in environments to which they much adapt in order to survive. Goal attainment is described as the need in any system to define its primary goal and the methods used to obtain the goal. Interagation refers to the need to coordinate the component parts of the system so that they contribute to the maintenance of the whole. Latency is described as the structures that serve to maintain and revitalize the motivation of individuals to perform their roles according to social expectations (Farganis, 20111). Spencer compared society to the telegraph, with wires running to and from the central nervous system and it nerves, as well as a social organism. He viewed evolutionary schema based on social functions and survival of the fittest, relating to simple and complex societies. Knigsley Davis and Wilbert E Moore developed Some Principles of Stratification (1945) and described stratification as a functional necessity. They

The theoretical perspective I most closely identify with would be the structural functionalist perspective. The idea that most appeals to me about this perspective is how everything in society is viewed as being interconnected. The main issue I have with other perspectives, like the conflict perspective, is that they classify people into two groups, the haves and have-nots. I think our society is much too diverse to simply categorize people into such broad groups. Another idea I don’t like in regards to the conflict theory is how religion or spirituality is viewed as method to distract working class citizens from their current living conditions. My biggest disagreement or issue with the symbolic interactionist theory is that “a condition must be defined or recognized as a social problem for it to be a social problem.”(Mooney, 2017) I have quite the issue with this statement. I feel like this perspective is rather passive and encourages or allows a society or group to remain stuck in their ways, rather than encouraging positive changes to take place. I don’t think it takes official recognition to identify a social problem when there is one.

Structural Functionalism is a theory that explains the way society functions as a whole with a bunch of different parts working together to keep society moving. For explain like a body, all the parts inside of you work together to keep you functioning and balanced everyday as a human being. Certain roles in society work harder and are more important to keeping society functioning, like a human body some part need to work more than others. Some of the assumptions of structural functionalism are, Society is always trying hard to stay where is it or work harder to keep balance in the society. Also Society is a well combined system that you have to agree with. Solidarity is the group of people coming together in a society based on their interest and working together. Equilibrium is the balance that is brought about in different working classes,when there in change there is also dysfunction that is brought about in one group, the other groups works to keep the balance in the society.

Conflict Theory and Functionalism are both classical theoretical frameworks, they both share some similarities, and they both share differences. A key difference between the two are Conflict Theory focuses on power, and the persuasion of people in groups that categorized by economic wealth, and different social classes. Where in Functionalism, it focuses on the society as a whole, as in the society working together as a team, trying to remain stable and healthy. The conflict theory was created by Karl Marx, he saw it as our society being placed into groups and basically competing for social and economic resources, and that the social order is maintained by domination. Basically saying that the people with wealth and people that have had great education are people that are on top of the food chain. Conflict theory gives the great attention to class, race, and gender. It gives attention to class as in if you’re poor, middle, or rich, implying the rich is the most successful. Race as in if you’re Asian, Hispanic, African American, or Caucasian, saying that Caucasian is the most dominant race, and gender as in male or female and that males are the dominant race. Functionalism was created by Emile Durkheim, he saw it as our society in being a whole, working together like the human body, maintaining stability. In Functionalism it is believed that our society is moved towards stability rather than

A community’s social norms and principles are generally volatile (Hedstrom & Swedberg, 1998). For instance, the cultural values relating to sex and gender have unremittingly changed over the years. While attempting to explain social phenomenon, sociologists will often use three theories. These include structural functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. The social conflict theory is, however, best placed to explain this changing trend.

Trent confessed to his wife that he was gay. He grew up in an active Latter Day Saint home, served a mission, and married Nicole in the temple. Early in their marriage she realized something was wrong. Hand holding, kissing, and other affectionate gestures were lacking in their marriage (Smith & Hamon, 2017)18 She began to wonder if there was something bothering him. He eventually broke down and told her he was gay and had known since he was a teenager. This was devastating news to her and put her dreams of having children to a halt.