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Three Theoretical Perspectives In Sociological Analysis

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The three theoretical positions all provide sociologists a means of viewing in interpreting society as a whole and as smaller, unique entities. All though the positions hold similarities in this aspect, they are vastly different. This allows sociologists to view many different aspects of a society, in order to interpret why things are the way they are. This essay will provide a brief explanation of the various positions and focus on them in terms of religion. Lastly, it will cover the things that make these theories different and the similar characterizes that they hold.

Structural Functionalism is a theoretical position used by sociologists in order to try to explain the nature and behavior of order in a society. This is the combination …show more content…

Though different in many ways, each perspective provides a means for sociologists to explain the influences that society has on people and how people influence society. Sociologists use different levels of analysis, from small interactions to large social patterns. Functionalism and Conflict Theory both focus on the large social interactions. Sociologists look at the “big picture” and examine society as a whole and the patterns that large societies follow. On the other hand, Symbolic Interactionism focuses on much smaller aspects of society. These are small interactions, such as face-to-face interactions with members of a society. Even though Functionalism and Conflict Theories look at the same level of society, they still have differences. Functionalism believes that large institutions will routinely change themselves to generate steadiness in the society. On the other hand, Conflict Theory states that large institutions, in this case religion, are used by capitalists to manipulate members of a society. Even with their differences, both theories work to group together members of a society with similarities based on class and symbols. Symbolic Interactionism shares resemblances of reliance with Functionalism due to the fact that Functionalism and Interactionism allocate society’s interdependence on large organizations, such as religion. Lastly, Interactionism gives credit to human interpretations, while Functionalism focuses on all the functions that make up a

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An example of these are an educational institution. Interactionism only studies a smaller scale of society or group. Symbolic interactionism and functionalism are alike because they both categorize relationships in society, in institutions, and communication systems. Symbolic interactionism brings people together by similar symbolic relationships. Functionalism views society as broken down parts of society that work together as a whole but the conflict theory sees those broken down parts of society and assesses them while they compete.

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In sociology, there are three theoretical perspectives; symbolic interactionism, functional analysis and conflict theory. The major point of symbolic interactionism is to use symbols to help understand how we as a society view the world, and how we communicate with one another. In functional analysis, the major point is to look at society as a whole, constructed of various parts, or groups, that all have their own function. Lastly, conflict theory is the opposite of functional analysis. In this perspective, society is viewed as different groups, each competing for power, or dominance.

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A prominent theory during the 1950’s and 60’s was Functionalism. This theory has been formed on the assumption that various parts of society are interrelated. Family, religion and other institutions are known as parts; once connected they form a complete whole. Functionalism has also been compared to the human body, as it is necessary to understand the different parts and how they relate to each other. Kenny and Connors (2017) believed that just like the human body, society is a system that requires parts that contribute to it working smoothly.

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Throughout history people have been attempting to justify imperialism. The reasons given to support imperialism by the colonizers have included religion, economics, territorial gain, power, and most of all control. The colonizers believed that the natives needed their help to be better people, to be civilized people. They believed that God was guiding them into positions of power because the world needed order. The world needed to be explored, profits needed to be made, and the natives needed to be enlightened.

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The functionalism theory is a macro-level theory. It sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote equilibrium and stability. These parts may be functional, which means that the society has beneficial consequences. They may also be dysfunctional, which means that society will have negative consequences. Both of these together will create equilibrium among the society, which

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Structure functional theory views society as a whole, a complex system of integrated, interrelated parts working together to keep society balanced. Each section of society has a certain task to fulfill in order to meet the needs of society. Therefore, functionalists stress order and stability. If a part of society is dysfunctional the peace is disturbed and the system is weakened. Each social institution plays a major role to the function of society, family provides an environment of reproducing, nurturing, and entertaining the children, education paves a way to pass on knowledge and values to one’s child while, politics provide means of leading members of society.

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Key Terms: positivism/social statics/social dynamics/bourgeoisie/capitalist/proletariat/ mechanical & organic solidarity/verstehen/rationalization Match the sociologists with their key ideas/contributions Notes – Beginnings of Sociology Section 3 (pgs. 23 – 31) Key Terms: functionalism/manifest & latent functions/dysfunction/power/symbols/ symbolic interactions How does each one of the three perspectives explain human social behavior?

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By way of example, all three of the theoretical perspectives notably have idiosyncrasies about one another. As an illustration, structural functionalism is defined as Due to the fact that society consists of vital parts and systems they work in unison with each other to run smoothly. The people in the society contribute in myriad areas of interest in the process of structural functionalism. David Claerbaut states that these areas of interest, incorporate into society with: religion, economics, education, politics and family. On the other hand of living among each other actively working to create a seamless community we have the conflict theory.

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This divides sociology into four fairly distinct paradigm clusters. There is internal consistency under each paradigm, in terms of assumptions about individuals, groups, societies, goals of study and accepted forms of evidence. However, each cluster neglects, excludes or opposes some the insights generated under other paradigms. A ? Functionalist (Regulation-Objective): Societies are the coming together of populations with shared civic values who establish social order which on the whole benefits everybody.

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Sociologists analyze social phenomena at different levels using different perspectives. Sociologists study everything—from the micro level of analysis of small social patterns to the macro level analysis of large social patterns. Sociological perspective includes three (3) approaches: The Symbolic Interactionism which involves the micro level of analysis using symbols and face to face interactions; the Functionalism perspective which involves the macro level of analysis and gives emphasis on the relationship between parts of society and how the aspects of the society becomes functional; and the Conflict Theory using the macro level of analysis which focuses on the competition for scarce resources and how elites control the poor and weak (“Three Major Perspectives in Sociology,” 2015). With the given differences, Weber can be closely related to being a ‘Conflict Structuralist’. In Weber’s perspective that his sociological analysis focused as to how people’s relationship influence people’s behavior.

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Most fields of science rely on theories to explain centrally important issues, such as social phenomena, that have a wide range of applications. Sociologists attempt to describe human society though their theories, such as the structural-functionalism theory, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionalism. While the three theories attempt to describe how society functions the way it does, all three differ in their views of how humans are related to society and each other. In the structural-functionalism, the dominant view is that if the structures that exist are functional, then those structures should be preserved and maintained. Structure-functionalists tend focus on the interrelatedness to the social structures that make up society.

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Structural Functionalism is a sociological theory that tries to clarify why society functions the way it does by concentrating on the connection between the different social institutions that make up society (e.g., government, law, education, religion, etc.). In Animal Farm the first example of structural functionalism is when the boar thinks the ordinances of their society are ruled by the oppressor humans. The second example is when the traditional structure is arranged to keep the animals in captivity. Lastly, the third example is when the arrangement allows humans to always be on the receiving end.

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784 Words | 4 Pages

Structural Functional Theory Structural functional theory is a macro sociological theory that is based on the characteristics of structures, social patterns, social systems and institutions such as education, religion, leisure, media, economy and politics. If all these social institutions are organized and co-operate with one another around a set of core values functionalist theorists assume that the entire social system will function properly and efficiently. Society in structural functional theory has a view that it is an organized system of interrelated parts that are held together by shared values and established social arrangements that help maintain the system to be in a state of balance and equilibrium. Structural functional theory is a broad perspective in sociology and anthropology which sets out to interpret society as a structure with interrelated parts. Functionalism addresses society as a whole in terms of the function of its constituent elements; namely norms, customs, traditions and institutions (Vibha Desai, 2013).

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Emile Durkheim developed a theory called functionalism, which explained how the individual and society were related and how society changed over time. According to functionalism, society is a system of interconnected parts that work together in harmony to maintain a state of balance and social equilibrium for the whole. Durkheim believed that society should be analyzed and described in terms of functions. Society is a system of interrelated parts where no one part can function without the other. These parts make up the entirety of society and therefore, if one part changes, society is impacted.

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While studying sociology, every individual will have a distinct perspective and depending on the particular subject, not everyone will have the same viewpoint on the topic at hand. With this, Sociology consists of many different approaches, commonly known as “Sociology theories” These theories are distinctive and diverse, providing a different perspective for understanding different situations in society. With there being a wide variety of approaches such as “Feminist,” “Labelling,” and “Critical,” for instance, the top three major approaches representing Sociology are, “Structural Functionalism,” “Conflict Theory,” and “Symbolic Interactionism.” This paper will be comparing the differences and similarities between “Structural-Functionalism” approach and the “Symbolic Interactionism” approach. To start

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