Sociological Theories

•A GENERAL STATEMENT ABOUT HOW PARTS OF THE WORLD FIT TOGETHER AND HOW THEY WORK

•AN EXPLANATION OF HOW TWO OR MORE “FACTS” ARE RELATED TO ONE ANOTHER

What is a Theory?

Symbolic Interactionism

Society is viewed as composed of symbols that people use to establish meaning, develop their views of the world, and communicate with one another

Symbol: The things to which we attach meaning Help us communicate with one another Define what our relationships are

Symbolic Interactionism

Our behaviors depend on the way we define ourselves and others

As humans, we attach a definition or meaning to everything

Functionalism

Society is viewed as composed of various parts, each with a function that, when fulfilled, contribute to society’s equilibrium

To understand society, we need to look at both structure (how parts fit together) and function (what each part does)

Functionalism

Functions: Beneficial consequences of people’s actions Can be manifest (intentional) or unintended

Dysfunctions: Consequences that harm a society Can be manifest or latent

Functionalism

Example: Industrialization of American society

Before industrialization, families worked together as a unit

After, men and women worked in factories, serving a function in society and for their families

Result: Dysfunction of families not being as close.

Conflict Theory

Society is viewed as composed of groups that are competing for scarce resources

Karl Marx and Conflict Theory Key to history is class conflict between those who

control the means of production (bourgeoisie) and those who are not in control (proletariat)

Conflict Theory

Conflict Theory Today Analyze how conflict permeates ever layer of society –

small group, organizations, communities, society

Struggle to determine who has authority and how far that authority goes

Conflict is most likely to happen among people who are in close relationships

GROUP ACTIVITY

Applying Theoretical Framework

Divorce

In groups of 3, analyze each of these statements from all three theoretical frameworks. Divorce has become more common and no

longer has a stigma attached to it.The government has assumed much of the role

of socializing children. Men’s dominance over women has changed and

women no longer depend on men to meet their needs.

Child rearing today last longer and is more demanding, placing greater strain on marriages.

The defined roles of husbands and wives have become more vague, and many couples struggle to divide up responsibilities