Sociology Perspectives Archives - Sociology Learners https://www.sociologylearners.com/category/sociology-perspectives/ Knowledge Bank of Sociology Sun, 10 May 2020 08:41:53 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 129612039 Symbolic Interaction Perspective in Sociology https://www.sociologylearners.com/symbolic-interactionist-perspective-in-sociology/ Wed, 24 May 2017 14:48:38 +0000 https://www.sociologylearners.com/?p=117 Symbolic interaction perspective, also known as interactionist perspective. Unlike functional and conflict perspective, interactionist perspective focus on; micro level analysis of society. In fact, interactionist are interested in the very basic and building block of society, “social interaction”. Social interaction; is sociological term, used for the situation; where two or more than two individual, laugh, […]

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Symbolic interaction perspective, also known as interactionist perspective. Unlike functional and conflict perspective, interactionist perspective focus on; micro level analysis of society. In fact, interactionist are interested in the very basic and building block of society, “social interaction”. Social interaction; is sociological term, used for the situation; where two or more than two individual, laugh, talk, walk, play, fight, hate, love and work with one another. Social scientist who follow symbolic interaction perspective assume that, each individual understand their surroundings and situations by symbols. Moreover, symbols are learned from social interaction. Let’s take a general example; in every society basic way of communication is language, different languages are spoken in different part of world, according to interactionists, language is a symbol through which we send, receive and interpret the message. Symbolic interactionist major question of study is that, how social structure of society is related to the symbolic experiences of individuals? Suppose, if symbolic interactionists would have to conduct research study on “causes of violence against women”, their prime focus would be on the social interactions. In some societies more importance is given to boys compare to girls. Furthermore, in such society boys grew up as a center of attraction, whereas, girls are ignored and merely, obligated to perform household duties. Growing up in such social structure; boys may learn and have a feeling of superiority over girls which can become a cause of violence against women. Gender biased social structure produce gender biased social interactions, which may result in violence against women. However, symbolic interaction perspective addresses symbolic meaning of human actions and the process by which it is learned and shared.

Assumptions behind Symbolic Interaction Perspective

Research of symbolic interaction perspective is based on the following three assumptions.

Importance of meaning; individual behavior in a society carry many symbols each of them have multiple meaning. It’s imperative for researcher to understand the importance of symbols, what meaning it holds for participants.

Meanings depend on relationships; when relationship change meaning change with it.

Meanings are negotiated; meanings are not accepted without criticism, each individual play an active role in negotiating meaning.

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Conflict Perspective in Sociology https://www.sociologylearners.com/conflict-perspective-in-sociology/ Wed, 24 May 2017 14:39:50 +0000 https://www.sociologylearners.com/?p=114 Functional and conflict perspective may analyze society from macro level. However, both theories completely differ in perceiving society. Functional school of thought focus on, order and stability of society, whereas, conflict theories, focus on existing inequalities in society, which results in conflict between social classes and eventually rapid change in social structure of society. Conflict […]

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Functional and conflict perspective may analyze society from macro level. However, both theories completely differ in perceiving society. Functional school of thought focus on, order and stability of society, whereas, conflict theories, focus on existing inequalities in society, which results in conflict between social classes and eventually rapid change in social structure of society. Conflict theory view society in a state of conflict between different social classes. Powerful people, who controls means of production or rich in material resources, oppress weak who lagged behind in material resources. Nevertheless, conflict can also arise as a result of the roles assigned by societies, on the basis of cast, creed, color and gender. Conflict perspective is inspired from the theories of following social thinkers, Karl Marx, George Simmel, Lewis A. Coser , C. Wright and George Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel.

Karl Marx theories view society from conflict perspective, according to him society comprises of different social classes, however those social classes are in state of conflict due to existing economic inequalities. Which is explained in “communist manifesto” by Fredrick Engle’s and karl marx. According to them history of every society is the history of class struggle. Crux of karl marx theories is that, there is economic conflict between two groups proletariat and bourgeoisie. Proletariat are working class people, who works on daily wedges and do not have enough resources to buy equipment for the production. Bourgeoisie are those people who own means of production and factories where workers work. According to Karl Marx in capitalist society rich will become richer and poor will become poorer. Since poor don’t own share in the means of production therefore, they are not provided the fair share of their work. Workers are being exploited by the owner of factories who own means of production, profit which is generated from the hard work of workers goes in the pocket of few who are rich in material resources.

other modern conflict theorist agree with Karl Marx’s view of conflict between social classes on the basis of economic inequalities, however they observed that, economic inequalities alone doesn’t explains the social conflict comprehensively. Some other inequalities exists as well within a society, which should also be taken into consideration. Conflict can also arise as a result of the assigned roles on the basis of cast, creed, color and gender. For example, in some societies women are not allowed to take part in any educational activities, which explains the inequality in educational opportunities on the basis of gender. Feminist social groups and organization are the best fitted example for gender inequality and change in society.

Assumption behind conflict perspective;

Conflict perspective is based on Karl Marx theories.

Assumption behind the perspective are given below;

Competition; multiple social groups’ compete over scarce resources.

Structural inequalities; unequal distribution of wealth amongst the individuals in society. Uneven opportunities on the basis of material wealth, gender and religion.

Social change; social change take place as a result of conflict among different social groups; Marx believed that conflict between proletariat and bourgeoisie will result in overthrowing of capitalist system, which will be replaced with communism.

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Structural and Functional Perspective in Sociology https://www.sociologylearners.com/structural-and-functional-perspective-in-sociology/ Wed, 24 May 2017 14:11:22 +0000 https://www.sociologylearners.com/?p=111 Structural and functional perspective also known as functionalism and functional perspective that focuses on the study of structure (organization) and functions (maintenance) of society. According to Maccionis; “society is a complex system, whose parts work together for the solidarity and stability of society”. Functional perspective is inspired from the theories of “Herbert Spencer” and “Emile […]

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Structural and functional perspective also known as functionalism and functional perspective that focuses on the study of structure (organization) and functions (maintenance) of society. According to Maccionis; “society is a complex system, whose parts work together for the solidarity and stability of society”. Functional perspective is inspired from the theories of “Herbert Spencer” and “Emile Durkheim”. Herbert Spencer viewed society as a living organism; structure of organism is based on multiple organs and body parts. Each organ has its own diversify function but contribute to the same cause, stability of living organism. He believed that, society is similar to living organism because it also comprises of different parts (social institutions) and each institution has its own diversify functions and roles in society, however, they are interdependent, which contributes to the stability and functioning of society as whole.

Structural and functional perspective can be better understand by the reader, from a practical example; people earn money from working different jobs, they pay taxes on their income to the Government. Government invest those taxes on the welfare of society such as, provide health facilities, educational facilities and provide security to the life and property of people. Parents want their children to get better education, job, healthcare and security of life and property, for which they are completely dependent on the Government. However, Government is dependent on people taxes too (who want all those services for their families) to satisfy their basic needs. Family and government are two different functioning social institutions of society, however, have influence on each other, both can’t operate without each other. According to “Parsons” in a healthy society, all the parts of society work together and have influence on one another, to produce a stable state; termed as, dynamic equilibrium.

Sociologist prime concern is to determine how societies work? Sociologist who view society from Functional perspective, conduct their research on the basis of, three basic assumptions; which are given below;

1. Stability; The major criteria for evaluating social pattern, is its contribution in the stability or maintenance of society.
2. Harmony; part of organism work similarly as part of society in harmony, for the betterment of society.
3. Evolution; adaptation of change in accordance to the evolving needs of society social structure and eliminating the outdated one.

Functions of social structure

Structural functionalist “Robert Merton”, refer to positive consequences of social structure as functions whereas, refer to the negative consequences of social structure as dysfunctions. Furthermore, there is also distinction between consequences. The intended or planned consequences (functional or dysfunctional) of social structure are conceptualized as manifest consequences whereas, the unintended or simultaneous consequences (functional or dysfunctional) are categorized and conceptualized as latent consequences.

To get a better grasp on the functions of social structure, let’s put the assumptions of the theory in to a example; consider, if the legislature of the state pass a sexual harassment law or bill, which includes that, perpetrator will be terminated from job effective immediately, has to pay a heavy fine in court and has to do few years prison time. If we evaluate this social action from functional perspective; manifest functions consequences of social action (sexual harassment bill) would be protection of women, against sexual, psychological and physical violence in the work place. Whereas, manifest dysfunction would be women wrongly accusing her colleague and boss, for personal interests. Latent dysfunction of social action (sexual harassment bill) could be, wrongly accused person may lose his job, saving for his children education and may serve time in jail for the crime he did not commit. Latent function of social phenomenon could be, it may build confidence in conservative communities to allow women to work and trust government with their protection. Remember that, functional theory is based on the assumption that any social actions which are proven to be, contributing factor for the maintenance of status qua, are considered to be functional. Moreover, those social actions which do not contribute in the maintenance and stability of status qua, are dysfunctional. However, functionalist are interested in the study of how social structures or institutions work together, for the core purpose of creating a society with order and stability.

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Evolutionary Perspective in Sociology https://www.sociologylearners.com/evolutionary-perspective-in-sociology/ Wed, 24 May 2017 13:53:08 +0000 https://www.sociologylearners.com/?p=108 The foundation of evolutionary perspective is based on the work of following social thinkers; ibne-i-khaldoon, Herbert Spencer and Ferdinand Tonnies. Evolutionary social thinkers were interested in the study of “origin”, “gradual change and growth” and “development of the society”. Therefore, theories of evolutionary school of thought are focused on, “identifying the patterns of development and […]

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The foundation of evolutionary perspective is based on the work of following social thinkers; ibne-i-khaldoon, Herbert Spencer and Ferdinand Tonnies. Evolutionary social thinkers were interested in the study of “origin”, “gradual change and growth” and “development of the society”. Therefore, theories of evolutionary school of thought are focused on, “identifying the patterns of development and change in society”. Evolutionary is a classical perspective and presently, does not play a major role in the development of the discipline.

Ibn-i- khaldoon is included amongst the evolutionary thinkers, in the discipline of sociology, his theories were focused on social facts, which contributes in the gradual growth of society, nevertheless, his theory “Al-Asabiya” is based on the presumption that, individuals sharing similar feelings and motives, generates a force of solidarity and unity amongst individuals; which further leads towards the creation of group and eventually transform into the formation of state. Furthermore, individuals who move towards luxurious life end up weakening the force of solidarity (Al-Asabiya) among the individual in a state or group. States which lack solidarity are dominated by the states in which individuals are united. Herbert Spenser, is amongst, one of the evolutionary social thinker, according to his theory of “social evolution”, societies have life cycle similar to living organism, after passing through stages i.e. birth, development and evolution ; societies die too; alike living organism. Herbert Spenser theory of “social evolution” is inspired from Charles Darwin theory “Evolution”, which is biological science theory, focused on organic evolution.   

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Major Theoretical Perspectives of Sociology https://www.sociologylearners.com/major-theoretical-perspectives-of-sociology/ Wed, 24 May 2017 13:47:28 +0000 https://www.sociologylearners.com/?p=105 Before moving on, to the study of sociological perspectives, it is important for readers to understand; what is perspective? Perspectives are different viewpoints of thinkers, regarding the area of study. Moreover, Perspective contributes in the development of subject matter, of respective discipline. Furthermore, Perspective is the study of particular subject from different dimensions, it explores […]

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Before moving on, to the study of sociological perspectives, it is important for readers to understand; what is perspective? Perspectives are different viewpoints of thinkers, regarding the area of study. Moreover, Perspective contributes in the development of subject matter, of respective discipline. Furthermore, Perspective is the study of particular subject from different dimensions, it explores the new issues and undefined aspects of study. In research terms perspective are hypothesis of study, it defines the area, purpose and limitation, of the respective field of study.

Sociological perspective are the multiple assumptions of social thinkers, concerning society. There are four perspectives of sociology, which are as follow; “evolutionary perspective”, “structural and functional perspective”, “conflict perspective” and “Symbol interactionist perspective”. Table given below, illustrate the basic focus of each perspective;

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