Comparing Two Sociological Theories

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While living in Society in today’s world, sociologist still has theories. Theories are interrelated ideas that have a wide range of applications, deal with centrally important issues, and have stood to the test of time (Ritzer & Stepnisky, 2014, p. 24). Sociologists theories are necessary to today’s society. While some theories share the same interest but different concept, we have theories that focus on the negative aspects of society and one’s that focus on the positive aspects of society. Structural- functionalist theory is a theory that focus on the social phenomena, the positive aspect of society. While, Conflict Theory focuses on the negative aspect of society. Two sociological theories but they both focus on the different aspects …show more content…

While on the other hand, Structural-functionalism theory believes that the people that has the power are desirable and necessary to society. In the book Essentials of Sociology, it states that “structural-functionalist thinks that society is held together by consensus, conflict theories argues that society is held together by coercion” (Ritzer, 2004, p.30). One argues that it is an agreement to get somebody to join, while the other argue that it takes excessive force and the person does not have a choice. Structural-functionalism see’s society as having structure and order, while conflict theory see’s society as a bunch of disagreements within society that leads to conflict. While both theories have their different perspectives, they both have some similarities about one another.
Both theories look at the aspects of society whether they are negative or positive. These theories have helped people structure society today. They both are micro-sociological insights to society. Structure in society today has some type of conflict to build that structure. There is always a negative output to find a positive solution. While both of these theories looked at the opposite sides of society, there would not be a negative aspect if we did not have a positive solution for society

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