ipl-logo

Functionalist Approach In Sociological Analysis

621 Words3 Pages

There are two approaches in understanding of deviance and social control: functionalist approach and symbolic interactionist approach. Both of these approaches help us understand social deviance and control in macro and micro perspectives. Functionalists define the social phenomena by the functions performed by different social groups, whereas, symbolic interactionists define social phenomena based on an individual’s actions and behavior (Conley, pg. 188-203).
Functionalists see the society as a combination of parts or organs with different functions that are organized based on the needs of the society. Durkheim explains two ways that social cohesion can be established in the society: mechanical solidarity and organic solidarity. Premodern …show more content…

189). In the premodern societies, punitive justice was applied to an offender. In these societies, mechanical social sanctions were the reinforcing force to show what actions or behaviors are considered acceptable (or unacceptable). In the organic solidarity, members of the society are differentiated and thus, social sanctions are applied individually based on the specific conditions that the crime has been carried out (Conley, pg. 192). Based on Durkheim’s paradox, deviance and punishment are the two elements of social control, holding the society together (Conley, pg. 193-194). Formal and informal social sanctions are the two mechanisms of social control, shaping the society’s norms. Normative Theory of Suicide is a theory associated with the functionalist framework. Durkheim characterized suicide as the act of social deviance (Conley, pg. 196). In this theory, social integration and social regulation are the two main concepts responsible for suicidal tendencies. If one is not well integrated into a social group, it can lead to “egoistic suicide” (Conley, …show more content…

203). One theory associated with symbolic interactionism is the Labeling Theory. This theory states that a person’s behavior is affected by others’ reactions and labels. In other words, individuals understand how others label them, and they react to those labels over time (Conley, pg. 203). According to Becker, social groups are responsible for creating deviance: these groups tell their members what’s right and what’s wrong while labeling deviants as outsiders (Conley, pg. 204). Therefore, one becomes deviant by interacting with other social groups. An action may be recognized as a crime in one social group while the same action may be acceptable in another group. Social labeling can lead to formation of a stigma, which is a negative label that changes both a person’s self-concept and other’s behavior toward that person (Conley, pg. 209). Symbolic interactionists believe that social labeling and stigma influence an individual’s behavior; therefore, after the primary deviance, the subsequent acts of deviance occur because of social labeling and people’s expectations.
Functionalists such as Durkheim explain the social deviance and social control in macro-level as they study “generalizable trends” and “broad social forces” (Conley, pg. 203). Symbolic Interactionists, on the other hand, explain social deviance through micro theories; they focus on a particular

Show More
Related

Joiner's Theories Of Suicide Analysis

938 Words | 4 Pages

Firstly, he discovered that suicide rates depend on one’s integration in society, in other words, the level in which one feels accepted and connected to a group (Durkheim, 1951). Similar to Joiner’s ‘thwarted belongingness’, Durkheim says that those with a higher integration and belongingness in society have lower suicide rates than those who do not as they may feel not wanted and excluded (ibid.). However, less common but just like Joiner’s ‘perceived burdensomeness’, Durkheim states that those with very high integration also have high suicide rates. Moral regulation also plays a role in why one CS, this is because Durkheim discovered that those without a religion are more likely to CS than those who are actively in one. This is also because in some religions like Christianity, suicide is a sin.

Read More

Symbolic Interactionalism Lens

357 Words | 2 Pages

The subtle but accepted social norms can be categorised neatly into two categories; folkways and mores. While both of these are informal social rules; folkways carry almost no punishment, although, mores are rules that when broken reap heavy consequences. The study of social norms is best done under the symbolic interactionalism lens. Symbolic interactionalism allows us to look at society on a micro level, meaning, we are able to focus on individuals, particularly, emphasizing verbal and physical gestures and how we interpret them.

Read More

The Role Of Suicide In New York City

286 Words | 2 Pages

Emile Durkheim, a Functionalist has expressed his thoughts within his book, Suicide. He refers to social integration vs detachment as one of the main causes of suicide. Durkheim also expresses his opinions on social bonds and why we need them to function in life. One of the main causes of suicide is isolation. This proves that social bonds and isolation have a connection to suicide.

Read More

Assess The Contribution Of Structural Functionalism To Our Understanding Of Society

244 Words | 1 Pages

Parsons believes structural functionalism helps a society perform more efficiently. Structuralists look at the world through a macro viewpoint and focus on society’s structures and their functional significance. Moreover, as a part of macro-sociology, Functionalism concentrates on social institutions and structures in society. Parsons proposes that every citizen has a specific role in society and by doing their role, they are contributing to society as a whole. Functionalists explain the relationship between the individual and the social system and more specifically, how individuals and culture work collectively to create and maintain a functional society.

Read More

Durkheim's Conception Of Society

1671 Words | 7 Pages

Unless an individual is mentally ill, suicides are always a reaction to external factors. This is, according to Durkheim, because “when society is disturbed, either by a painful crisis or by fortunate, but too sudden transformations, it becomes provisionally incapable of exercising its function; hence those shape rises in the figures for suicide,” (Suicide, p. 276) in what might be indicative of the power instituted in society. Not only does this reflect the precarious role that autonomy plays in determining an individual’s wellbeing but also of their particular helplessness within the framework of society. Although one would assume that the rise of individualism

Read More

Emile Durkheim's Suicide: Social Integration And Social Ideas Of Suicide

1146 Words | 5 Pages

In his book, Suicide, Emile Durkheim explores the social reasons that would someone to commit suicide. The basis of his argument laid in his ideas of social integration and social regulation. Social regulation is the many facets in which a person can be involved with society, such as political groups, religious groups, and domestic groups. Social regulation in comparison are the social and moral rules that a society decides what is right and what is wrong. Durkheim believes that people need to find a balance within social integration and social regulation to live a healthy lifestyle.

Read More

Deviance: Understanding The Norms Of A Society

402 Words | 2 Pages

Aiman Boujada 10/10/15 Reflection Paper #2 Deviance is a very complicated concept to understand. Norms of a society vary from place to place, and what is considered deviant in one area may not be the same somewhere else. As a result sociologists have developed theories in order to explain deviance and its impact on society. The most prominent theories known today are functionalism, strain theory, differential association, control theory, and feminist theory.

Read More

Deviant Behaviour Research Paper

513 Words | 3 Pages

When it comes to criminal behaviour and how it is developed, we tend to look at social interactions between a deviant person and those in charge of the law. Social groups construct deviance by making rules whose infringement creates deviance. When rules are inferred on particular people causes them to be labelled as outsiders because the term deviant has been successfully applied. In symbolic interactionism criminal or deviant behaviour depend on the norms of the society and its members and different circumstances or situations. Deviant behaviour can be expressed as someone breaking the law or acting out in a negative manner or someone departing from the norm.

Read More

Assess The View Of Functionalist Contribution To Society

1424 Words | 6 Pages

In this essay it will assess the view of functionalist’s contribution to society. Firstly functionalists can demonstrate how society works and how it is structured. They make comparisons between the human body and society; they believe that each institution, such as media or school are all as necessary as the heart or lungs of a body, and for the society to work, it needs its organs to function properly. Functionalists can illustrate how society works on the inside in particular, Parsons identified three key parts.

Read More

Structural Functionalism In Health And Social Care

105 Words | 1 Pages

Structural functionalism holds that a society is essentially like a living organism. That is, a society is made up of various parts that are all necessary to the overall functioning of that society. Each part of society, like each organ in a human body, has some role to play in the overall health of society. In this view, social institutions are some of the most important organs.

Read More

The Labeling Theory Analysis

149 Words | 1 Pages

In regards to the labeling theory, secondary deviance is described as “ the commission of crime after the first criminal act, with the acceptance of a criminal label” (Bohn &

Read More

Sociological Theory Of Deviance Essay

915 Words | 4 Pages

In this work, it’s important to know that deviance is a form behavior that is against the norms of the society There are numerous conflicting theories on the causes of deviant behavior, but the main ones fall into three categories: functionalist, conflict and symbolic interactionism. Deviance as a violation of social norms, sociologists have characterized it as of their values or rules or group conduct, that violate studies of social deviance is the study of the violation of cultural norms in either formal or informal contexts. Social deviance is a phenomenon that has existed in all societies with norms. Sociological theories of deviance are those that use social context and social pressures to explain deviance.

Read More

Positivist Approach To Suicide Essay

1204 Words | 5 Pages

Taking in to account the identified general types of suicide by Emile Durkheim, and looking at the definition for egoistic suicide where there is inadequate integration into the society, it seems to be a strong reason for committing suicide for the

Read More

Difference Between Functionalism And Conflict Theory

727 Words | 3 Pages

It’s often known as the consensus theory due to the fact that in functionalism everything works together, there is complete agreement. It doesn’t take into account social factors that may affect aspects of life. On the contrary, it views society as a system in which all parks work together to make everything work in consensus (Dottin). Emilie Durkheim said, “There are two types of men: the great and the small” (Durkheim). This leads us into the discussion of the inequality of functionalism.

Read More

Functionalist Theory Critical Analysis

1537 Words | 7 Pages

A Critical Analysis and Application of the Functionalist Theory The functionalist perspective is based largely on the works of Herbert Spencer, Emile Durkheim, Talcott Parsons, and Robert Merton. The idea of the perspective is quite simple. It is that, as the human body system works, the institutions in the society works interdependently for the proper functioning of the whole; the whole being the entire society.

Read More

More about Functionalist Approach In Sociological Analysis

Related Topics

Open Document