Social Conflict Theory

In today's society having the ability to interact with others plays a major role in how an individual develop relationships with others. When witnessing the interactions of college students from a sociological perspective, it is quite apparent that the interactions amongst college students sustain the stability of society and form a detachment amongst the students based on race, ethnicity, class, and gender.

According to Peter Blau, who believed that "heterogenous groups turn outward" and are more open to outsiders of a different social background. It can be determined that the interactions amongst the students at CSM serves as a significance to society because it allows individuals to interact with both students that are of the same social

While observing the interactions of college students, some college students preferred to confide themselves in groups that are of the same social background. The reason for this action could be that they feel more comfortable with individuals they have something in common with and can relate to. Meanwhile, some students of various races preferred to sit alone, the reason for this action could be because they felt as though they were a part of an outgroup which is "a social group toward which a person feels a sense of competition or opposition" (Macionis ). Because of this feeling they rather not interact with any social group, in an effort to avoid drama. A social conflict sociologist would determine that the reason for the seperation between the students at CSM is because of group conformity which allows students to view other social groups differently which creates a wedge within

The students at CSM relied heavily on their cellphones as a tool to communicating with others despite the fact that they were confide within a group face to face. It was also obeserved that there were larger monoracial groups than multiracial groups, the reason for this may be because "the larger a group is, the more likely they are to have relationships just among themselves"( ). Also the majority of the monoracial groups belong to African Americans, the reason for this could be because there is a lower percentage of African Americans attending the college compared to Caucausians. According to college board, the campus is compiled of "59% Caucausians, 25% African American, 6% Hispanics, 3% Asian, and 2% Unknown race". From a symbolic interaction theorist the interactions amongst all students serves as a significance to society because it allows the students to develop relationships amongst each other whether its of a different race, gender, culture, or