Sociological Sociological PerspectivesPerspectivesProfessor Maggie MendezProfessor Maggie Mendez

Introduction to SociologyIntroduction to Sociology

What is a Sociological What is a Sociological Perspective?Perspective?

Tool for analyzing social life.Tool for analyzing social life. Level of analysisLevel of analysis

• MacroMacro• MicroMicro

Three major perspectives in SociologyThree major perspectives in Sociology• Functualist PerspectiveFunctualist Perspective

• Conflict PerspectiveConflict Perspective• Symbolic Interaction PerspectiveSymbolic Interaction Perspective

Functionalist Functionalist PerspectivePerspective

Vision of SocietyVision of Society• A system of interrelated parts that function A system of interrelated parts that function

or operate together harmoniously.or operate together harmoniously.• OrganismOrganism• Social SystemSocial System

• Macro PerspectiveMacro Perspective

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Society is viewed as Society is viewed as very similar to the very similar to the human body.human body.• Each part meets a Each part meets a

need in order to need in order to maintain a normal maintain a normal state of balance.state of balance.

• Organs are viewed as Organs are viewed as similar to social similar to social systems. systems.

OrganismOrganism

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Social SystemsSocial Systems

Interdependent network Interdependent network of social institutions of social institutions (family, school, business, (family, school, business, religion, etc.) that shape religion, etc.) that shape our live.our live.

Social system Social system contributes the stability of contributes the stability of society.society.

EquilibriumEquilibrium DisequilibriumDisequilibrium

Macro-level of AnalysisMacro-level of Analysis

HomelessnessHomelessness• Examine how changes in parts of society Examine how changes in parts of society

have increased homelessness.have increased homelessness.EconomyEconomyFamilyFamily

Conflict PerspectiveConflict Perspective

Vision of SocietyVision of Society• Society is constantly changing in response Society is constantly changing in response

to social inequality and conflict.to social inequality and conflict.• Power strugglePower struggle• Social ChangeSocial Change

Macro PerspectiveMacro Perspective

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Various Various groups are in groups are in conflict to conflict to compete compete for for limited limited resources, resources, control, or control, or authority.authority.

Dominate Groups

Subordinate Groups

Wealth, Power, Prestige

Resources, Control, Authority

Power StrugglePower Struggle

Social ChangeSocial Change Conflict is inevitable Conflict is inevitable

and can be and can be beneficial.beneficial.

Leads to social Leads to social change.change.

Example: Example: Civil Rights Civil Rights

MovementMovement• DesegregationDesegregation

Macro Level of AnaysisMacro Level of Anaysis

HomelessnessHomelessness• Examine the struggle between social Examine the struggle between social

classes.classes.Upper classes control the economyUpper classes control the economy

Symbolic Symbolic InteractionistInteractionistPerspectivePerspective

Vision of SocietyVision of Society• Focus on meanings that people place on Focus on meanings that people place on

their own and one another’s behavior.their own and one another’s behavior.• SymbolsSymbols• Society is created through social interaction.Society is created through social interaction.

Micro PerspectiveMicro Perspective

SymbolsSymbols

People use symbols to People use symbols to develop views about the develop views about the world and communicate world and communicate with one another.with one another.

Define ourselves and Define ourselves and othersothers• RelationshipsRelationships• Self-conceptSelf-concept

Social interactions allows Social interactions allows society to existsociety to exist

Micro Level of AnalysisMicro Level of Analysis

HomelessnessHomelessness• Analyze the culture and communication of Analyze the culture and communication of

homeless people.homeless people.How do they survive?How do they survive?How do they interact with one another in the How do they interact with one another in the

shelters and streets?shelters and streets?

Summary and ReviewSummary and ReviewPerspective Level of

AnalysisPoint of View Explaining the Homelessness

Functionalist Marco level

Various parts of society are interdependent and related.

Examine how changes in parts of society have increased homelessness.

Conflict Macro level

Struggle for scarce resources by groups in society.

Examine the struggle between social classes.

Symbolic Interactionist

Micro level

How people use symbols to create society.

Analyze the culture and communication of homeless people.