Carrie Dvorsak
Max Maloney
Principles of Sociology
November 29, 2017
The Analysis of Social Life: The Three Sociological Perspectives
Social phenomena has been analyzed from different perspectives throughout history. Over the course of this time, sociologist have been able to make everything from concrete explanations to broad sweeping generalizations of a single, minute event, to the grand scheme of social life and what it all entails. These perspectives are, to be simply put, a way to view, interpret, explain, and predict the world around us. Today, sociologists follow three major sociological perspectives: the functionalist perspective, the conflict perspective, and the symbolic interactionist perspective. Each of these viewpoints offers …show more content…
Elements of society are considered functional if they contribute to social stability and dysfunctional if they disrupt social stability (CITATION). Dysfunction, such as deviant behavior leads to change because societal components must be adjusted in order to achieve and maintain balance (CITATION). If one part of society is broken or is dysfunctional, it will affect all other parts, creating social problems. These social problems are what drive the need for social modification. While focusing on discovering the functions of human behavior, American functionalist Robert Merton, identified two types of human functions: manifest and latent. Manifest functions are consequences that are intended and commonly recognized. Latent functions are consequences that are unintended and often hidden. (CITATION). In relation to schooling, the manifest function would be to acquire knowledge and skill to eventually earn a job. The latent function of schooling would be socialization and the learning of societal norms. The functionalist perspective does not encourage people to take an active role in altering their social environment, even if such changes would be of benefit to them. Functionalism instead sees active social change as unwanted because the various institutions of society will compensate naturally for any problems that may …show more content…
In contrast to the interconnected workings of the functionalist perspective, the conflict perspective views society as composed of by different groups and interests competing for power and resources (CITATION). The conflict perspective focuses on the negative, conflicted, and ever‐changing nature of society. This perspective originated primarily out of Karl Marx's writings on class struggles where the bourgeoisie, who owned the means of production, held power over the proletariats, or the workers who earned wages (CITATION). The conflict perspective explains various aspects of our social world by looking at which groups have power and benefit from a particular social arrangement. As societies evolved from agricultural to industrial societies, concern grew from meeting basic survival needs to making a profit, the basis of a capitalistic society (CITATION). This need of profit is what brought about these two classes of people. This division of people is very beneficial to the owners of the means of production, giving them the ability to use their power to control the institutions of society to their advantage. Marx believed that as the socio-economic conditions worsened for the proletariat, they would realize they were being exploited by the hands of the wealthy capitalist class of bourgeoisie, and then they would revolt, demanding changes to smooth the conflict (CITATION). If these
Max Maloney
Principles of Sociology
November 29, 2017
The Analysis of Social Life: The Three Sociological Perspectives
Social phenomena has been analyzed from different perspectives throughout history. Over the course of this time, sociologist have been able to make everything from concrete explanations to broad sweeping generalizations of a single, minute event, to the grand scheme of social life and what it all entails. These perspectives are, to be simply put, a way to view, interpret, explain, and predict the world around us. Today, sociologists follow three major sociological perspectives: the functionalist perspective, the conflict perspective, and the symbolic interactionist perspective. Each of these viewpoints offers …show more content…
Elements of society are considered functional if they contribute to social stability and dysfunctional if they disrupt social stability (CITATION). Dysfunction, such as deviant behavior leads to change because societal components must be adjusted in order to achieve and maintain balance (CITATION). If one part of society is broken or is dysfunctional, it will affect all other parts, creating social problems. These social problems are what drive the need for social modification. While focusing on discovering the functions of human behavior, American functionalist Robert Merton, identified two types of human functions: manifest and latent. Manifest functions are consequences that are intended and commonly recognized. Latent functions are consequences that are unintended and often hidden. (CITATION). In relation to schooling, the manifest function would be to acquire knowledge and skill to eventually earn a job. The latent function of schooling would be socialization and the learning of societal norms. The functionalist perspective does not encourage people to take an active role in altering their social environment, even if such changes would be of benefit to them. Functionalism instead sees active social change as unwanted because the various institutions of society will compensate naturally for any problems that may …show more content…
In contrast to the interconnected workings of the functionalist perspective, the conflict perspective views society as composed of by different groups and interests competing for power and resources (CITATION). The conflict perspective focuses on the negative, conflicted, and ever‐changing nature of society. This perspective originated primarily out of Karl Marx's writings on class struggles where the bourgeoisie, who owned the means of production, held power over the proletariats, or the workers who earned wages (CITATION). The conflict perspective explains various aspects of our social world by looking at which groups have power and benefit from a particular social arrangement. As societies evolved from agricultural to industrial societies, concern grew from meeting basic survival needs to making a profit, the basis of a capitalistic society (CITATION). This need of profit is what brought about these two classes of people. This division of people is very beneficial to the owners of the means of production, giving them the ability to use their power to control the institutions of society to their advantage. Marx believed that as the socio-economic conditions worsened for the proletariat, they would realize they were being exploited by the hands of the wealthy capitalist class of bourgeoisie, and then they would revolt, demanding changes to smooth the conflict (CITATION). If these