Sociological Theory

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Sociological Theory

• David L. Strickland
• Introduction to Sociology
• East Georgia College
• (Reading Chapter 2 Development of Sociology)

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Paradigms

• Social theories
• can be tested using scientific methods.
• guides scientific methodology.
• is guided by scientific methodology.
• can be used to understand specific social
  phenomenon.

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Theoretical Perspectives

• Structural-Functional Perspectives
• Social-Conflict Perspectives
• Interactionist Perspectives

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Using the Sociological Imagination to Examine
Society

• The sociological imagination allows us to
  penetrate our social world and identify the links
  between our personal biographies and larger
  social forces to see that what is happening to
  us immediately is a minute point at which our
  personal lives and society intersect.

• How does the structure of society guide a
  persons choices?
• How does a persons relative level of power and
  wealth in society impact their personal
  experience?
• How do social arrangements and social rules
  influence the behavior of individuals and groups?

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Structural-Functional Theory

• Functionalism views society as a set of
  interrelated structures-or parts- with each
  structure performing a function which is
  important to the maintenance and stability of
  society. Society is seen as existing in a state
  of consensus and equilibrium.

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Social System

• A social system emerges when the patterns of
  interaction become institutionalized as a way to
  address the needs of society.

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Structure

• Structure is a habitual way of interacting that
  is defined by the arrangement of statuses and
  roles.

Dad
Child
Mom
Family
Family as Part of Society
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Structural Functionalism
Social systems perform functions which keep
society stable.
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Function

• Latent
• Functions

• Manifest
• Functions

Dysfunctions
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Organicism

• Organ systems (Institutions) are linked to one
  another.
• Each part meets a need in order to maintain a
  normal state of balance.
• Change in one organ system (institution)
  influences change in others.

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Organicism

• Homeostatic system
• Interdependence
• Stability
• Near equilibrium
• Balance

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Structural Functionalism

• Portrays society as unified entity of
  interdependent components where each part of the
  structure contributes to the maintenance and
  stability of the whole by performing a function.
• Consensus and cooperation is the glue that holds
  society together.
• Society is a homeostatic unit that exist in near
  equilibrium.

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Conflict Theory
Conflict theory assumes that life rarely runs
smoothly and conflict is a natural part of
social relationships. Conflict theory takes the
view that society is based on competition over
scarce resources.
Marx
This competition generally manifests itself in
struggles between dominant groups and subordinate
groups.
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Who is on top?

• Various groups compete for limited resources.

Wealth, Power, Prestige Resources, Control,
Authority
Dominate Groups
Subordinate Groups
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Conflict Theory

• Focuses upon explaining the mechanisms for social
  change.
• Views conflict as inherent in society as groups
  compete for scarce resources, power, and
  authority.
• Gives attention to inequalities in society.

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The Power Elite

• The country is ruled by the power elite, a groups
  of individuals who because they occupy certain
  institutional positions make decisions that have
  national consequences.
• They are the most powerful people in commerce,
  politics, and the military.

C. Wright Mills
Conflict arises over power and authority rather
than just as a struggle between two classes.
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Interactionism

• Interactionist theories are micro level
  analysis of society that seek to explain how
  people make sense of the world including how the
  self concept is formed, how meaning is applied
  to symbols, and how reality is socially
  constructed.

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Symbolic Interaction

• Symbolic interaction is the process through which
  the use of symbols (language or gestures that
  come to stand for something else) makes social
  behavior possible.
• Subjective meaning must be examined to understand
  behavior.
• Meaning can change.

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Social Construction of Reality

• If things are perceived as real, they are real
  in their consequences (Thomas Theorem)

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Looking Glass Self

• We think of ourselves as we imagine how others
  view us.

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Conclusion

• There are three main paradigms in sociology
  Functionalism Conflict Theory and
  Interactionist Theories.
• Each of them provide a unique viewpoint for
  examining society, social phenomenon, and human
  interactions.