Running Head: SOCIAL STUDY CONCEPTS 1

SOCI 150: Sociology – Introduction

Assignment #2
Social Study Concepts Applied to Mesostructure

Ganna Simovskykh

Student I.D.:N01243720

Humber College

Practical Nursing Program

November 12, 2019

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Social Study Concepts Applied to Mesostructure

Three social study theories: Structural Functionalism, Conflict Theory, and Symbolic

Interaction will be reviewed and applied to real life situations to better explain their concepts.

Structural Functionalism

Functionalism is a theory based on how personality is regulated by social structures that

are focused on shared values (Brym & Lie, 2018, p. 10). The idea of functionalism belongs to E.

Durkheim, T. Parson, and R. Merton. According to them, shared values and norms help people to

reach solidarity that is the key component to maintain social stability. Solidarity helps to reduce

conflicts and achieve cooperation in social institutions (Brym & Lie, 2018, p. 9). Functionalists

applied their theory on different social institutions such as families, religion, education and

others. Functionalism stresses the importance of a family because it contributes to the social

structure and well-being of society. A family plays a crucial role for socialization and it is

required for any environment to survive and to preserve social stability. Functionalists believe

that a family allows society to exist by performing five vital functions. Families are a source of

emotional support for its members. Families help to regulate sexual activity and reproductive

function. Also, family is the environment that helps children with socialization and provides

economical support (Brym & Lie, 2018, p. 185). In real life I experience the above listed values

are present in the family I was raised. I was provided with love, care and emotional support when

hard times occurred. When I was a child my family was an economical support for me by

providing me with food, safe place to grow up, clothes, toys, books and other essentials. I was

provided with all the necessary information about reproduction, what is considered normal and

healthy in sexual life. According to functionalists, a family is an institution that raises and

prepares children to adulthood by governing them in building relationship in a social

environment.
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Social Study Concepts Applied to Mesostructure

Conflict Theory

The Conflict Theory originated by Karl Marx and further developed by Max Weber

explains that conflicts occur when power or resources are distributed unequally between social

institutions. This uneven distribution allows social change which explains social relations at

different level of the society. It creates competition for control of social and material resources

(Brym & Lie, 2018, p. 12). Max Weber proved that inequality in social structure may cause

conflict and explained how more powerful groups try to maintain their domination and lower-

level groups struggle to obtain more privileges (Brym & Lie, 2018, p. 13). Conflict theorists also

showed significance of power relations in setting up a structure in family life. Followers of the

theory consider a family as an institution that promotes patriarchy and thus contributes to

inequality in society (Brym & Lie, 2018, p. 197). I would like to support the theory with the real

life observation of a family that resided next door to my friend’s apartment she was renting. The

family was newcomers from a country where power imbalance between men and women was

likely a common practice. The man was working and his wife stayed at home raising their two

toddlers and a newborn. Occasionally, my friend could hear the man yelling at his wife after

coming home and my friend was suspecting that domestic violence was taking place during that

time. Such behaviour is an example of a family structure where the man was maintaining a

position of power and suppressed his wife allowing spousal abuse. It also shows that a family is a

social institution where conflicts may arise and pose violence to its members.

Symbolic Interaction

Symbolic interaction is the theory in sociology that studies relationship among

individuals specifically how different roles and statuses are learnt through interpreting other

people’s words and nonverbal signals (Brym & Lie, 2018, p. 75). According to this theory
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Social Study Concepts Applied to Mesostructure

people create their social worlds through communication and exchange of symbols. Brym & Lie

(2018) claim that people constantly adjust their behaviour and learn their roles and statuses by

active and creative process of managing their impressions on others. One of the most known

variant of symbolic interactionism is dramaturgical analysis, developed by Erving Goffman, who

compared social interaction with theatre where everyone has its own role to play (Brym & Lie,

2018, p. 75). The sociological study explains that people will display front stage characteristics

of their role such the way they behave, dress up, talk, and use body language. It may evolve into

complete solidarity with values and believes of that role. Any social institution, event or situation

can become a theatre. There is also a backstage, the space with no access for spectators, where

the individual may relax and step out of his or her role, display his innate characteristics and

prepare for future stages.

I would like to analyse Christmas Eve at my home following Goffman’s dramaturgical

analysis and determine the role of some members. The event follows a standard scenario as it

includes maintaining boundaries of the family given only family members are invited, and

following rituals such as all family members meeting around the dinner table, finding presents

under the Christmas Tree, and launching fireworks outdoors. It is a tradition among our family

members to participate in meals preparation so nobody would get stuck in the kitchen all day and

will enjoy spending time near the fireplace. It is fair to say that this role is shared among all

family members. Though it is already a tradition that my mother will roast a turkey, the role she

takes pride of. My daughters and I will make sure the home is decorated accordingly. My

husband will ensure that Santa leaves gifts for everyone under the Christmas Tree. Celebrating

Christmas is a common social phenomenon that can be observed in many families and the
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Social Study Concepts Applied to Mesostructure

analysis using the symbolic interaction allows revealing similarities proving its significant values

in a social institution as family.

Different studies and concepts have been developed by sociologists to explain interaction

and relations at different levels of the society. The reviewed social studies can be applied to

studying the relationship in society and how we can influence it.

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References:

Brym, R. J., & Lie, J. (2018). Soc . Toronto: Nelson.