Theoretical Perspectives Essay

The text discusses “Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology” in chapter 2. As a student, you sociologically view the world in a particular way. Do you see the world as a place where things simply “work out” (structural functionalism), or is it constantly in conflict (conflict theory)? Perhaps you see the world primarily as a place that is about relationships between people (symbolic interactionism).

Write an essay (750-1,000 words) that addresses the following: Theoretical Perspectives Essay

1. Define and explain the three ways to view the world “sociologically.”
2. Identify which sociological perspective (structural functionalism, conflict theory, symbolic interactionism) most closely represents your view of the world. Describe the factors that have caused you to view the world through that perspective, such as personal experience in our society, popular culture, media, etc. In addition, use an example from world events that demonstrates evidence of your theory. Briefly explain why you did not choose each of the other two perspectives being careful to demonstrate that you understand the other perspectives.
   

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The text discusses “Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology” in chapter 2. As a student, you sociologically view the world in a particular way. Do you see the world as a place where things simply “work out” (structural functionalism), or is it constantly in conflict (conflict theory)? Perhaps you see the world primarily as a place that is about relationships between people (symbolic interactionism).

Write an essay (750-1,000 words) that addresses the following: Theoretical Perspectives Essay

1. Define and explain the three ways to view the world “sociologically.”

2. Identify which sociological perspective (structural functionalism, conflict theory, symbolic interactionism) most closely represents your view of the world. Describe the factors that have caused you to view the world through that perspective, such as personal experience in our society, popular culture, media, etc. In addition, use an example from world events that demonstrates evidence of your theory. Briefly explain why you did not choose each of the other two perspectives being careful to demonstrate that you understand the other perspectives.

Theoretical Perspectives of SociologyBy David Claerbaut, Ph.D.

Chapter 2

Topics

· Introduction

· Theory

· Comparing the Three Theories

· Worldviews

· Conclusion

· Chapter Review

· References

Introduction

Sociology is the science of human group behavior. This group orientation is sometimes called the sociological perspective. This perspective exists because, according to scientific study, humans conduct themselves differently in groups than they do as individuals. Moreover, because humans are social beings who live in groups—ranging from families to nations—common traits and characteristics typify groups just as they can for individuals. For example, the United States is a nation group. As a nation, the United States has some common characteristics in the form of values, attitudes, and beliefs that shape its citizens. Sociologists focus on the social rather than individual contexts in which people live, emphasizing how group experiences shape the behavior of its members, and particularly how people are influenced by the larger society in which they live. In short, sociology always links personal experience to the larger society of which it is a part (Robertson, 1987; Schaefer, 1989; Stark, 1989).

Sociology is a science because it is based on a rational body of knowledge, much of which can be tested objectively. Although sociologists are engaged in truly scientific study, there are also theories in the study of sociology. It is important to understand that there is no single grand theory or paradigm in sociology that functions like the elemental chart in chemistry or the multiplication tables in mathematics; rather, there are a number of theories in the discipline. This is largely because of the extreme complexity and ever-changing nature of human behavior. This chapter looks at the role of theories in general and how they relate to scientific research in the field of sociology. This chapter also discusses the three major theories in sociology—structural functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism— and compares each theory as it provides a lens through which people view social reality (Coser, 1977; Henslin 1998, 2014)Theoretical Perspectives Essay.

Theory

A theory is a set of ideas that attempts to explain the known facts of a subject in a way that makes sense. A theory can be tested by determining whether it accounts for and explains all the known facts in a sensible way. Detectives use theories to solve crimes. They look at the facts of the crime and the scientific evidence, such as fingerprints and DNA, and construct a theory of how the crime was done and who committed it. If the facts and scientific evidence in any way contradict the theory, the theory is rejected.

The science of sociology uses the same method. In fact, for a field of study to be a science, its theories must be both based on scientific evidence and tested by research. In sociology, there are a number of social facts—social realities that influence human behavior. For example, it is a fact that humans live in large and small groups, or societies, that have defined patterns of feeling, thinking, and acting, or culture. These groups interact and they affect and influence one another. Out of these group experiences, humans develop an understanding of the world and their place in that world. For example, a Christian woman who has lived her entire life in Chicago, Illinois, may look at the world through the eyes of a Christian worldview. She would also view social realty as a female in terms of gender. In addition, her experience would be shaped by living in a highly urbanized (rather than rural) area of the Midwest. There are many social environments that form a perspective on how she would see the world.

Sociological theories, then, are efforts to explain human group behavior in a comprehensive fashion. Some questions that sociological theories attempt to answer include:

· How are the various human organizations constructed so that they fit together to form a functioning unit? For example, how does the United States, as a nation, fit together and function in a stabilized way?

· How do various groups within a larger society interact? For example, how do the rich and poor interact within a nation, and does this interaction affect the overall functioning of a nation?

· How do humans communicate and make sense of their relationships?

· How do humans attach meaning to events and relationships? Theoretical Perspectives Essay

Theories are not developed in a vacuum. Sociologists are always engaged in research that tests their theories. Moreover, this research may result in the discovery of new social realities that, in turn, will be integrated into theories. For example, in the early days of sociology, scholars believed that deviant behavior was based on biology because the brains of deviants were different from those of society’s mainstream members (Douglas & Waskler, 1982). Subsequent research, however, quickly determined that much deviance is learned in groups. Hence, the theories of deviance were revised to account for this (Douglas & Waskler, 1982). Sociology is based on an ever-changing and developing field of knowledge with theories that are continuously refined as the result of careful research.

There are three major theoretical perspectives in sociology. These theories provide three distinct ways of viewing human group behavior. These macro-level and micro-level theories, though different, do not necessarily conflict with one another.

Structural Functionalism

Structural functionalism is a macro-level theory that views a society as a complete unit, in much the same way one might look at a human body as a complete organism that is made up of vital parts and systems. This theory sees society as consisting of many parts called structures (Dobriner, 1969)Theoretical Perspectives Essay.

Figure 2.1. Major Structures and Functions in Society

Within these structures are roles that are performed by people who occupy them. For example, in the structure of religion, the role of pastor exists, which is occupied by an individual. These structures work together to accomplish purposes or functions. For example, a nation’s political structure, which exists to protect its citizens and advance their welfare, interacts with the nation’s education structure, which exists to prepare its citizens to advance the culture. Because it is believed that an educated nation is a stronger one, the political structure funds public education. This simple example illustrates how two structures interact and influence one another.

Emile Durkheim (1858-1917), one of the founding fathers of sociology, was a structural functionalist. According to Durkheim, earlier, less developed, rural societies were characterized by commonly held religious and social beliefs, and that these common beliefs were what unified and held together such societies (Coser, 1977). Moreover, the economic system was simple and independent, with agriculture being the dominant means making a living. He called these mechanical societies. As life became more complex and urban, societies contained a more diverse population, one that did not necessarily share common social or religious beliefs. How are these societies held together amid all the differences among their inhabitants? Theoretical Perspectives Essay

Durkheim suggested interdependence was what held together these modern societies. People were bound together by their need for one another in order to survive. The farmer may not know the grocer, but he needs to sell his produce to him. The grocer may not know his customer, but the grocer needs the customer’s money and the customer needs the food. People do different jobs creating a division of labor all webbed together for a common survival. To Durkheim, such a society was held together by organic solidarity, made up of interconnected and interdependent components. It was this diversity of functions, rather than similarity of beliefs and values, that unified these societies (Durkheim, 1893/1933, 1895/1964, 1897/1966).

There are a few key points involved in structural functionalism. First, is that the society is viewed as a whole. The parts are studied only in terms of how they function and contribute to the well-being of the whole society. Hence, education is studied in terms of how it serves the interests of the entire society.

It is also important to realize that for structural functionalists, society rests largely on consensus. There needs to be a general agreement on the norms, values, and beliefs of the larger society. Its members need to internalize and accept the validity of these norms for the system to operate (Sumner, 1906)Theoretical Perspectives Essay.