Structural Functionalism And Conflict Theory - 1882 Words

Short Answer Questions 1) Based on your readings, in class lectures, notes and discussions, in one to two paragraphs for each, describe and explain the analytical tenets of a) Structural Functionalism; b) Symbolic Interactionism; and c) Conflict Theory. Structural Functionalism aims to understand society in an objective way. It views society as an entity that is â€Å"objectively real†. It emphasizes the unity of society, and how individuals perform roles and how these roles are vital in meeting the needs of the collective whole. For instance, because every society has stratification, stratification must have certain functions and these functions can contribute to the survival of the social system as a whole. Furthermore, structural†¦show more content†¦Moreover, it argues that economic exploitation causes political oppression and the powerful will then use their power to turn the state into a â€Å"servant of bourgeois economic† (Marx). For that reason, the only way to breakout of this conflict is through revolution, in which the working class people overthrows the owner of the capitalist system. Conflict theorists might argue, for instance, religion fulfills the bourgeois interests by appeasing the populatio n by pacifying them. In essence, under this theory there will always be conflicts for scarce resources, and whenever one group gains control of the resources there will be an oppressed group. And according to Marx, this can be broken if we have a classless society where resources are allocated equally. 2) For each of these three sociological approaches, choose one assigned reading that exemplifies the perspective. In two paragraphs for each perspective, explain in what way the article you have chosen exemplifies the given approach. Structural Functionalism â€Å"Some Principles of Stratification† by Kingsley Davis and Wilbert E. Moore is a great instance of the structural functionalist theory. In the article, it views stratification through the lens of a functionalist and states that stratification doesn’t necessarily lead to conflict, rather we need it in order for society to function. Furthermore, it illustrates the functions of stratification,Show MoreRelatedStructural Functionalism And Conflict Theory972 Words   |  4 Pagesand institutions. Some sociological theories are better at explaining the social world at a macro level than they are at a micro level, and vice versa. Structural Functionalism and Conflict Theory are best for macrosociology while Symbolic Interactionism is best for microsociology. The purpose of this paper is to explain how the sociological perspective has helped me better understand the social world on both a macro and micro level. Structural Functionalism is the idea that society is a unifiedRead MoreStructural Functionalism and Conflict Theory1541 Words   |  7 PagesStructural Functionalism amp; Conflict Theory Karl Marx and Max Weber were the first conflict theorists in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Following Marx and Weber were three mid-20th century conflict theorists: Lewis Coser, Ralf Dahrendorf, and Randall Collins. Coser draws his theoretical ideas from Simmel. Like Simmel, Coser maintains that conflict is healthy for society. In contrast, Dahrendorf combines theoretical ideas from Marx and Weber. Dahrendorf sees power as the main feature in allRead MoreConflict Theory Vs. Structural Functionalism978 Words   |  4 PagesConflict Theory vs. Structural Functionalism, this is like a fight between conservative and liberal. Structural Functionalism is a sociological theory that focuses on the structures of society and their functional significance (positive and negative consequences) for other structures (Ritzer, 2013). In another word, Structural Functionalism focuses on hierarchy, high position in the society. The theory is based on the belief that a person who held a high posit ion like doctor or lawyer should getRead MoreStructural Functionalism, Neo-Functionalism Conflict Theory System3328 Words   |  14 PagesStructural Functionalism, Neo-Functionalism Conflict Theory System Theory The origin of sociology developed and took place in Europe during the early eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The factors that led to the development of sociology are industrial economy, the growth of cities, and political change. Europe was changing from agriculture to factory production. Masses of people moved to the cities in search of work. In cities people met anonymity, crowding, filth, and poverty. The IndustrialRead MoreSociological Theories, Conflict, Structural Functionalism And Symbolic Interaction1588 Words   |  7 Pagesmethods of killing by parents were with â€Å"personal weapons,† such as choking, beating, or drowning. Caucasian men and women between the age of 20 to 30 middle and lower class parents are likely to commit filicide. Three sociological theories, conflict, structural functionalism and symbolic interaction explain the different aspects of the family institution and the problem of why these types of crime occur. Observation of the family, not just the infant may detect a problem before it turns into a criminalRead MoreEssay about Structural-Functionalism and Conflict Theory2741 Words   |  11 PagesTheories in sociology provide us with different perspectives with which to view our social world. A perspective is simply a way of looking at the world. A theory is a set of interrelated propositions or principles designed to answer a question or explain a particular phenomenon; it provides us with a perspective. Sociological theories help us to explain and predict the social world in which we live. Sociology includes three major theoretical perspectives: the structural-functionalist perspectiveRead MoreFunctionalism Vs. Conflict Theory1349 Words   |  6 PagesFunctionalism vs. Conflict Theory There are four known sociological theories and or theoretical perspective, and they are structural functionalism, conflict theory, symbolic interactionism, and feminism. These theories explain various aspects of social life through different perspective (OpenStax College 17). Some of the theories might view social life in a micro perspective, macro perspective or even both and each view might be completely opposing to each other, but it also has its pros and consRead MoreTheories And Nature Of Human Behavior951 Words   |  4 Pageshuman behavior is by how people view society. There are three major theories that provide a lens to compare how and individual see their environment. â€Å"A theory is a set of ideas that attempts to explain the known facts of a subject in a way that makes sense† (Claerbaut, 2015). The three major theories are sociology are structural functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. Structure functionalism â€Å"is a macro-level theory that views a society as a complete unit, in much the same way oneRead MoreStructural Functionalism : A Sociological Perspective1096 Words   |  5 Pagesview the world differently; either as structural functionalism, conflict theory, or symbolic interactionism. Each one of these refer to the world inversely. Some view the world as situations just work out, or it is continuously in conflict, or the world is just primarily a place where people have relationships. Structural functionalism best describes the view of the world and varies roles that are played by different people. Structural functionalism is a theory that views society as a complete unitRead MoreSociological Theories And The Structural Functional Theory1356 Words   |  6 PagesSociological Theories: Compare and Contrast The Structural-Functional theory definition: Two theorist who were major contributors to the structural functional theory where Herbert Spencer and Robert Merton. Also known as functionalism, it is a framework for building theory that views society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote stability and solidarity. Important concepts in the perspective of functionalism include social structure, social functions, latent functions and manifest