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Chapter 1Section 3
Modern Perspectives
“School of Thought”
A general set of assumptions about the nature of things
Outlines specific ideas about that nature of social life
Theoretical PerspectiveTheoretical Perspective
Broadly based on the ideas of Spencer, Comte, and Durkheim
View society as a set of interrelated parts that work together to produce a stable social system
Society is held together through consensus Topics of interest: functions of family,
religion, education, and the economy in society
Functionalist Perspective (Functionalism)
Functions: positive consequences for society as a whole
Dysfunction: negative consequences for the stability of a social system (ex. Crime)
Manifest Function: intended and recognized consequence of some function of society (ex. Manifest function of an automobile is to provide speedy transportation from one location to another
Latent Function: un intended and unrecognized consequence of an element of society (ex. Latent function of an automobile is to display wealth and gain social standing)
Role of Functions
Broadly based on the ideas of Karl Marx Focus on the forces in society that promote
social change and competition Topics of interest: how those who possess
more power in society exercise control over those with less power, competition between various groups in society (men vs. women; different ages, races, etc.)
NOT limited to the study of violent conflict
Conflict Perspective
Feminist theory is often seen as an extension of conflict perspective
Focuses on one particular area of inequality-gender
Feminist theorists believe gender inequality is created by society (not biology) and is reinforced by social institutions (religion, family, and education)
Feminism
Broadly based on the work of Max WeberFocuses on how individuals interact with
one another in societyHow do individuals respond to one
another in everyday situations?Topics of interest: child development,
relationships within small groups, mate selection, symbolism
Interactionist Perspective
What is the role of symbols in our daily lives? Members of society must agree on the
meaning that is attached to a given symbol (ex. American flag, the bald eagle, Fourth of July)
Symbolic Interaction: how people use symbols when interacting
Three essential elements: meaning, language, and thought
Symbols
Pg. 18 #1-6
Homework