From many years of sociological research, collecting quantitative and qualitative data, three sociological theories have stood the test of time. These dominant theories are, the Structural-Functional Approach, the Social-Conflict Approach and the Symbolic-Interaction Approach. “Each sociological theory presented has a unique way of explaining social behaviour in the real world”. (Thiessen, 2017) These theories have all been developed by good sociologists; sociologists who remain objective and unbiased while collecting quantitative and qualitative data on human behaviour. Firstly, one must understand that “studying sociology is not a practice but an attempt to understand human society.” (Thiessen, 2017) A sociologist must have an objective
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(Macionis, Benoit, Jansson, Burkowicz, 2017) Unlike the Structural-Functional Approach, this theory works to unveil not just the benefits, but also the consequences of a particular social pattern. For example, how patterns such as class, race, ethnicity, gender and age, positively or negatively affect areas, such as, money, power, education and social prestige. Sociologists studying this approach, will focus their efforts on ongoing conflict within a society and attempt to understand it. The key elements in this approach include, conflict, change and inequality. It’s in the best interest of a sociologist to figure out the links between conflict and change and how those connections generate inequality and vice versa. But more importantly, this approach raises the question, how does society reduce this inequality? This approach paints a picture of a society that operates by benefitting those who are privileged, or have an advantage, while harming those who are underprivileged, or at a disadvantage, pertaining to their social patterns. Both the Social-Conflict Approach and the Structural-Functional Approach conduct research at a macro-level, meaning, “they shape society as a whole by having a broad focus on social structures”. (Macionis, Benoit, Jansson, Burkowicz, 2017) The only approach that has a micro-level …show more content…
Different situations yield different social interactions that need to be observed at a more in-depth level. Individuals with different social patterns observe and interact with the world differently. The only way to understand a particular setting is to view it from the perspective of an individual living in it. (Macionis, Benoit, Jansson, Burkowicz, 2017) There is only so much understanding that can be gathered from an individual on the outside, looking in. This objective reality leaves out pieces of the puzzle that can only be collected through experience. The key element in this theory is, an individuals reality and identity, as they understand it. Each individuals reality is constructed by their surroundings and social interactions. For a sociologist to understand their reality, they must experience the same surroundings and social
(Macionis, Benoit, Jansson, Burkowicz, 2017) Unlike the Structural-Functional Approach, this theory works to unveil not just the benefits, but also the consequences of a particular social pattern. For example, how patterns such as class, race, ethnicity, gender and age, positively or negatively affect areas, such as, money, power, education and social prestige. Sociologists studying this approach, will focus their efforts on ongoing conflict within a society and attempt to understand it. The key elements in this approach include, conflict, change and inequality. It’s in the best interest of a sociologist to figure out the links between conflict and change and how those connections generate inequality and vice versa. But more importantly, this approach raises the question, how does society reduce this inequality? This approach paints a picture of a society that operates by benefitting those who are privileged, or have an advantage, while harming those who are underprivileged, or at a disadvantage, pertaining to their social patterns. Both the Social-Conflict Approach and the Structural-Functional Approach conduct research at a macro-level, meaning, “they shape society as a whole by having a broad focus on social structures”. (Macionis, Benoit, Jansson, Burkowicz, 2017) The only approach that has a micro-level …show more content…
Different situations yield different social interactions that need to be observed at a more in-depth level. Individuals with different social patterns observe and interact with the world differently. The only way to understand a particular setting is to view it from the perspective of an individual living in it. (Macionis, Benoit, Jansson, Burkowicz, 2017) There is only so much understanding that can be gathered from an individual on the outside, looking in. This objective reality leaves out pieces of the puzzle that can only be collected through experience. The key element in this theory is, an individuals reality and identity, as they understand it. Each individuals reality is constructed by their surroundings and social interactions. For a sociologist to understand their reality, they must experience the same surroundings and social