THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES

1
THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES

• Theory is a formulation of concepts and their
  relationship to each other
• Answers the question why?
• Predicts into the future

2
Three Major Theories in Sociology

• Structural Functionalism
• Conflict
• Symbolic Interactionism

3
Structural Functionalism

• Spencer, Durkheim,
• Parsons, Merton
• Central issue for functionalists is
• Key question

4
Key Concepts

• Dynamic equilibrium
• System imperatives

5
Consider Wayward Puritans A Study in the
Sociology of Deviance

• by Kai Erikson
• Crime is functional (ala Durkheim)
• Maintains boundaries of socially acceptable
  behavior -- stability.
• Society manufactures crime and redefines some
  citizens as deviants when stability threatened.

6
Conflict Theory

• Engles, Marx, Simmel,
• Weber, Dahrendorf
• Central issue for conflict theorists is
• How and why does change occur?

7
Key Concepts

• All of human history is a struggle
• The Hegelian Dialectic

8

• Change is ever present until classes disappear
• Power is a key dimension of human social behavior

9
Consider Cows, Pigs, Wars, and Witches

• by Marvin Harris
• Attempts to explain cultural idiosyncrasies
  through economic explanations

10
Lewis Coser---Conflict and S-Functionalism

• Conflict between groups increases the
  cohesiveness within groups.
• Frequent, un-intense conflict provides a safety
  valve for individual tensions.

11
Symbolic Interactionism

• Originators
• Charles Horton Cooley
• George Herbert Mead

12
Key Concepts

• Unit of analysis is interaction
• Humanness --- self identity can only occur
  through communication

13

• Generalized other
• Looking glass self

14
Consider The Managed Heart Commercialization of
Human Feeling

• Arlie Hochschild
• The meaning of service work emotional work
• Managed friendliness or nastiness
• Estranged from person
• Occupational hazard