Sociology offers a perspective, a view of the world. (Henslin, 2013) Sociologyis the study of society and human behavior based on their surrounding, such as groups, culture, race, sex, class, etc. (Henslin, 2013). Sociologists use three main theories to understand human experiences. They are symbolic interactionism, function analysis, and conflict theory.According to the symbolic interactionist perspective, people attach meanings to symbols, and then they act according to their subjective interpretation of these symbols. An example used in everyday life would be cigarettessmoking among teenagers. Even though teenagers are aware of the consequence and health risk that cigarettes pose they still smoke because cigarettes are perceived as cool in their peer group. The symbol status of the cigarette status overrides the actual health risk facts. (Cliffnotes.com, 2011) Another example would be gang members who teach new members how to commit crimes, the rules that the new member learned before that are much different and now that society has an influence. It is hard for the gang members to get away. (Sparknotes.com, 2014)According to the functionalist perspective, also called functionalism, each aspect of society is interdependent and contributes to society's functioning as a whole. (Cliffnotes.com, 2011) An example used in everyday life would be sports. Sports create unity among individuals. A sport allows aggression to be released in an acceptable way.The conflict perspective focuses on the negative, conflicted, and everchanging nature of society. An example in everyday life would be sports. For instance NASCAR is a male dominated sport and gender expectations make it difficult for a woman to succeed. Another example of Conflict Theory in everyday life is crime and how the different classes are punished. The upper class may get a slap on the wrist, have money for good lawyers, where as lower class people may not be able to afford a good lawyer and end up with harsh punishments.

CliffsNotes.com. Three Major Perspectives in Sociology. 22 Jun 2011. http://www.cliffsnotes.com/sciences/sociology/the-sociological-perspective/three-major-perspectives-in-sociologyHenslin, James. (2013)Essentials of Sociology: A Down to Earth ApproachSaddle River, NJ: Pearson.

Sparknotes.com. Deviance. June 2014. http://www.sparknotes.com/sociology/deviance/section2.rhtml