SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES

Peter berg in 1963

Perspective is the simple way of looking at the world
Theory is a set of principles to answer a question and explain a particular
phenomena
Sociological theories help us to explain the world in which we live.
It explain the social behaviour
 3 MAJOR SOCIOLOGICAL
PRESPECTIVES
1-structural-functionalist approach
Study at macro-level
2-social-conflict approach
Study at macro level
3-symbolic-interaction approach
Study at micro level
 STRUCTURAL FACTIONALIST
PERSPECTIVE
 Based largely on the work of Herbert spencer, Émile Durkheim, august
comb,Robert.k.marton.
 According to functionalism society is the system of interconnected parts that
together work in harmony to maintain a balance and social equilibrium.
 Framework for building theory that sees society as a complex system
 For example each of social institute contributes important function for society as
family provides a context for reproducing, nurturing, and socializing children
 Education offers a way to transmit a society’s skills knowledge and culture to its
youth
 Politics provides a mean of governing, members of society
 Religion provide moral guidance
 ASSUMPTIONS
Stabiity-
It study social pattern of society
Harmony
Parts of society work together
Evolution:
Changes occurs through evolution and adaptation of social structures
 SCIENTIST WORK
It owes much to august comb .
Pointed out need too keep society as unified at a time when many traditions
were breaking down.
Emile durkhaim who helped to establish the study of sociology in French
university.
Herbert spencer compared society to the human body.
Robert k merton describe social functions.
 TWO TYPES OF FUNCTION
Manifest and latent
 Recognized and intended
 For example the manifest function of U.S system to of higher education is to
provide young people with information and skills they need to perform jobs
after graduation
Latent
 Unintended and unrecognized
 As marriage broker,bringing together people of similar docial background
 SOCIAL DYSFUNCTION
Social pattern that may disrupt the pattern
 people disagree about what is helpful what is harmful
 SOCIAL-CONFLICT PERSPECTIVE
It views society as composed of different parts working together. In the
contrast the complicit prespectives views society as composed of different
groups and interest competing for the power and resources.
EXAMPLE;
A conflict analysis rejects the idea that social structure promotes the
operation of society as a whole, focusing on how social pat-term benefits
some people while hurting others.
 ASSUMPTIONS
 ASSUUMPTIONS BEHIND CONFLICT THEORY;
 Conflict theory is derived from Marx’s idea.
 The following are three primary assumptions of modern conflict theory.
 1. COMPETITIONS;
 Competitions over scarce resources like money, leisure, is at the heart of all social
relationships.
 STRUCTURAL INEQUALITY;
 Inequalities is power and reward are built into all social structures. Individuals and
groups that benefits from any particular structure striveto see it maintained.
 SOCIAL CHANGE;
 Change occurs as a result of conflict between competing interestsrather than
through adaptation. It is often abrupt and revolution rather than evolutionary and is
often helpful rather than harmful.
 THE SYMBOLIC-INTERACTIONS
PERSPECTIVES

Sociology explains social behavior in terms of how people interact with each
other individually. Through symbols.
Example. We develop our self concept by observing how other interact with
us and label us.
It is concerned with broad aspect of society.
 SCIENTIST WHO WORK
 Max weber (1864-1920)
 A German sociologist emphasizes to understand a setting from the point view of
people on it.
 George Herbert Mead(1863-1931)
 How our personality develop as a result of social experience.
 He represent work of Erving Goffman who describe that how we resemble actors on
a stage as we play out our various roles.
 George humans and peter blau exchange analysis that what each person stands
to gain or lose from the interaction.
 For example
 People seeks mates in terms of physical attractiveness, intelligence, and wealth
 ASSUMPTIONS BEHIND SYMBOLIC
INTERACTION THEORY
Meanings are important
Any behavior can have multiple interpititionsns to understand human
behavior we must learn what it means to participant
Meanings grow out of relationship
 when relationship change so what it means.
Meanings are negotiated between people
We do not accept others means uncriticaly. Each pof us play an active role
in negotiate others.
How does society result from the ongoing experiences of tens of millions of
people.
 SCIENTIST WORK
Karl Marx
Whose idea are discussed at length.
Marx asserted ‘The philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various
ways; the point, however, is to change it.’