Major Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology

GS 138:Introduction to SociologyNew Life Theological Seminary

Seth Allen

What is a theoretical perspective?

Theoretical perspectives are the basic assumptions about how society functions, the role of sociology, and the application of a specific set theories in studying social life.

Examples of these basic assumptions:

Society is a unified whole that seeks equilibrium

Society is composed of groups competing for scare resources

Social life can be measured through observing daily interactions

Sociology should be used to enact social change

Sociology should be value free

Why Should I Care about Theory? Explanation from the Dalton Conley (Link):

Three Major Perspectives Structural Functionalism-society is

an organic being of interrelated parts that work together in harmony

Conflict –society is the competition of a few groups of people for scarce resources

Symbolic Interactionism-Society is essentially a set of daily interactions that are guided by symbols

Three Perspectives Visualized

Perspective Major Tenets

Believes that sociology

should enact social change:

Macro or Micro Focus:

Structural Functionalism

Society is an organic whole of stable parts

No Macro

Conflict

Society is a set of groups

competing for power and resources

Yes Macro

Symbolic Interactionism

Society is the sum of daily interactions guided by symbols

No Micro

Structural Functionalism •Popularized by American sociologist Talcott Parsons in the 1940’s•Society is a stable arrangement of parts that fit together•Social is glued together by shared values•Each part contributes to the overall function•Macro-level focus

Talcott Parsons,1902-1979

Structural Functionalism Visualized

Society

Religion

Education

The Family

Judicial System

Real World Application: Functionalist Perspective and Marriage

The traditional family structure inwhich the husband was abreadwinner and the wifetended children and didhousework was ‘functional’. Men could earn more incomeand women were naturallybetter at childcare and thus, the traditional family structureworked.

The Conflict Perspective

Karl Marx, 1818-1883

•Originated with the German economist/historian Karl Marx, the ‘father of communism’•Social groups (i.e. workers and capitalists, men and women) struggle for scarce resources and power•Conflict is normal, stability and order are not•Macro-level focus

Conflict Perspective Visualized

Men

Women

European Americans

Racial

minorities

Workers

Management

Heterosexuals

LGBTQ

Real World Application: Conflict Perspective and Marriage

The male breadwinner model benefits men in 2 ways (among others):

It reduces potential competition from women in the labor market

It downplays women's contributions in domestic work

This model demonstrates that men have the upper hand in society

Symbolic Interactionism

Herbert Blumer, 1900-1987

•Micro-level analysis of society•Society is ‘played out’ through daily interactions between people•People interact through shared symbols (physical ones and intangible ones like body language) which gives meaning in social interactions•All reality is based on shared subjective agreement

Symbolic Interactionism VisualizedHusband

and Wife

Talk

You greet Your

neighbor on the way to

work

Society

You respond to your boss’s email

Give up your seat on the bus

for the elderly woman

Move to the next lane on highway for

the car on exit ramp

Tuck the children into bed

Text your friend

about the sale at the

Gap

Smile at the barista

at the coffee shop

Real World Application: Symbolic Interactionism and Marriage

Symbolic interactionists would suggest that couples negotiate their particular roles. Through verbal and non-verbal interactions, they can negotiate things like:•If and how many children they will have•How domestic chores should be split•How will they divide time for themselves from time with other couples and friends

In Conclusion….Questions? Thoughts? Personal

observations about the three theoretical perspectives?

Which perspective appeals to you the most?

Which of these perspectives believes that sociology should be used for social change?

Which perspective has a micro-level focus?Which perspective believes that society is

comprised of interlocking parts?