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Key features of conflict theory
Explain the characteristics of conflict theory
Explain the characteristics of conflict theory
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Conflict theory are perspective in sociology psychology that accentuate the social, political, or material inequality of a social group, that analysis the broad socio-political system, or that weaken from structural functionalism and ideological conservatism. With conflict theory, you will see tensions, status, and power are unevenly distributed between groups in society, which these conflicts become the purpose of social change. Conflict theory usually arise due to competition and limited resource that is feed by domination and power, rather than consensus and conformity. This is seen a lot on macro level. As a social worker, you will see and use conflict theory throughout your professional. Key Words: Conflict theory, social work, society, …show more content…
More specifically, they are interested in the ways that people use power to resist or create change. Abraham, (1988) (pg. 60). According to Abraham (1988), “He identified two categories of conflict, Endogenous conflict which refers to conflict that occurs within a system or a society. It includes conflict about change, values, the distribution of desired resources, and authority. It may also include conflict between the individual and society. Exogenous conflict which refer to conflict that occurs between systems or from the external environment and is generally based on wars, cultural invasion, and ideology.” (pg. …show more content…
Using the method of conflict theory in practice poverty and oppression make the most sense to focus in these areas. Social stratification is the process by which people are grouped hierarchically constructed on inequalities in wealth, power, prestige, access to resources, and life opportunities. Also, the target population is commonly based on differences in gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, linguistic groups, sexual orientation, disability, caste, and class. The problem with this target population is the fact that poverty and oppression like structure can be seen most clearly in the continuing overrepresentation of racial and ethnic minorities among the poor. Observed, this leads to the increasing alienation of the poor people of color in communities of highest unemployment and deepest poverty, and leads to an utter hopelessness that often comes with being Black or Hispanic and poor. Harrington (1997) (pg. 88). Another target populations, has been the “glass ceiling,” or invisible barrier, that keeps women and minorities from attaining top jobs. While the ideal of equal opportunity is espoused, it is far from a reality. Women and minorities continue to “peak out” at a low level of management. Kelborn (1995) (pg.
An example of conflict theory is gay marriage. Homosexual couples are struggling for the right to marry their significant others. However, they face opposition from heterosexual couples and traditionalists who want to keep marriage strictly between a man and a woman. Homosexual couples want to redefine the meaning of marriage while heterosexual couples desire to keep the traditional definition of marriage. I did not choose conflict theory because I dislike conflict. While I acknowledge that there will always be a power struggle between two parties, I do not see the world in a way which acknowledges a
...to be achieved, years, decades, lifetimes, conflict is intended to fulfill this need. Ultimately, conflict theory is about the struggles, ideologies, representations, and power that the haves possess and the have-nots want to exert. These concepts come into play causing conflict between the groups which ends in social change.
Morton explains that political, institutional, and structural factors lead to the segregation of poverty in minority communities because of their lack of access to educational and health service, reliable public transportation, and job (Morton 275). Morton recognizes that the achievement gap goes much deeper than the education realm and she believes
The glass ceiling is defined as the “unseen, yet unbreachable barrier that keeps… women from rising to the upper rungs of the corporate ladder, regardless of their qualifications or achievements.” According to the Department of Labor, the glass ceiling is made up of “artificial barriers [that are] based on attitudinal or organizational bias that prevent qualified individuals from advancing upward in their organization into management-level positions.” Qualified women are continuously denied a promotion to the highest levels of corporate America and other professions. Once women reach a certain level at their career, they plateau and the glass ceiling prevents them from advancing any higher.
By definition, conflict theory basically sees the society as a pitch in which inequality thrives in order to generate conflict and change. For instance, this theory emphasizes on the purpose of coercion in generating a social order that’s often ch...
...uld investigate why minorities contribute to the personal and economic reasons they migrate to different types of neighborhoods which concerns segregation. Research should also focus on why poverty pockets tend to be in older neighborhoods and what effects the environment of the neighborhoods has on these individuals. Experiments on wage rates should also be considered for future research. Because minorities live in impoverished neighborhoods they tend to have less employment opportunities which may result in lower than average wages. If wages increased to stands or slightly above standard minorities might have a chance of obtaining economic success and ultimately leaving poverty behind. If everyone stepped up to help those in poverty, through education and job skills and training courses I believe poverty could be decreased to just a fraction of what it is at now.
“Structural inequalities theory has been used to explain the persistently poor and urban population that has emerged as the American economy has deindustrialized and moved out of central cities” (Smith). “Structurally disadvantaged neighborhoods are often characterized by weaker local institutions and diminished access to external resources” (as cited by Richardson). “Medical provision and schooling was separated by race” (McLaughlin). As a result, “The inner-city ghetto became increasingly impoverished and socially isolated, most often because of structural changes” (Anderson).
Conflict theory holds that power lies at the core of all social relationships and is unequally divided and that the powerful maintain their control through the
Also, the majority of women have been able to secure employment from traditionally female occupations such as teaching compared to male-dominated careers like engineering. Moreover, democratic country like the United States of America has recognized gender inequality as a fundamental issue and espouse equal right between men and women in contributing to social, economic and cultural life. Despite this improvement, gender inequality persists as women are not represented and treated equally in the workplace (Michialidis, Morphitou, & Theophylatou, 2012). The increasing number of women in the workplace has not provided equal opportunity for career advancement for females due to the way women are treated in an organization and the society. Also, attaining an executive position seem impossible for women due to the glass ceiling effects which defines the invisible and artificial barrier created by attitudinal and organizational prejudices, which inhibit women from attaining top executive positions (Wirth
“The history of the Glass Ceiling Commission dates back to 1986 when Wall Street Journal reported a pattern of highly accomplished women being passed over for upper-level promotions due to an invisible barrier”. The term “glass-ceiling” first entered America’s public conversation almost two decades ago, when the Corporate Woman column from The Wall Street Journal identified this new phenomenon. “There seem to be an invisible –but impenetrable- barrier between women and the executive suite, preventing them from reaching the highest levels of the business world regardless of th...
A social inequality that I would say I’m concerned with would be, racial and ethnic inequality. Racial or ethnic inequality is often established based on characteristics such as skin color and other physical characteristics, or a person’s place of origin or culture. Another meaning of racial inequality would be the advantages and disadvantages that affect different races within the Unites States. Race has become a socially constructed category capable of restricting or enabling social status. Racial inequality can lead to diminished opportunities, which can also lead to cycles of poverty and political problems. With this minority members in a society can result in discriminating actions such as; exclusion, oppression, expulsion, and extermination.
As one of the oldest social psychology theories, the Realistic Conflict Theory deals with the conflict and hostility that is projected to arise between individuals or groups competing over the same limited resources. Therefore, a resource, opportunity, or even goal, becomes harder to obtain, the amount of aggression is projected to increase as well. This theory is not only visible in many everyday situations, but it also established a basis for which discrimination and prejudice can be partly explained.
Conflict Theory is a framework for building theory that sees society as an arena of inequality that generates
Conflict is unavoidable and connected to a world where different ideas and opinions are challenged. Negative conflict occurs when voices are not expressed appropriately, discussions are not in control or different parties reject moving forward with a solution. There is difficulty resolving disagreements because there are multiple reactions to disputes. However, a positive conflict supports debates without a destructive outcome. They improve communication, introduce principles that are important to others, and reduce chaos. On the other hand, the approach that a person uses to address conflict dictates the outcome they receive. Methods for resolving conflict include avoiding the problem, smoothing out a situation, competing against the ideas
The perception of transformation is the change from one state to another. Conflict transformation in more specific terms is the transition through various stages. Primarily, conflict transformation takes place through the underlying stage to confrontation to negotiation to vibrant, peaceful relationships. The purpose of this essay is to choose a historical or contemporary situation in which conflict transformation has taken place in the past and/or continues to occur. In my assignment I will research the origins, causes and current status of the conflict. I will identify what has been done and/or is being done to address the conflict in a transformative manner today. I will assess this particular situation with reference to two of the structure or process models covered in this course. I will develop a plan for further action, based on structural and process models discussed in this course. Finally I will integrate Lederach’s time frame and see if I can bond it with this particular case.