There are three main theories in the topic of sociology. The first is functionalism (also known as the functionalism perspective). This theory is the idea that everything in society impacts other parts of the society and contributes to the society’s ability to function as a whole (“Three Major Perspectives in Sociology”). This also can be viewed as a sort of yin-yang affect. For example, the government provides education and other necessities as long as the citizens pay their taxes to allow the government to continue to run. Additionally, there have been many people who have contributed to the functionalism perspective. One of the biggest contributors to the functionalism perspective was Emile Durkheim. Durkheim was interested in how society is able to function/remain stable for long periods of time. It was very important for him to know what kept society together; such as, ideas, beliefs, and traditions (Crossman). Another major contributor to the functionalism perspective was Robert Merton. Merton broke functionalism into two different functions. The …show more content…
This theory is the idea that people should look for and consider the symbols and details of everyday life (“Three Major Perspectives in Sociology”). For example, Christians may see a cross as a symbol of a better life in death, while non-Christians may just two lines crossing one another. One of the biggest contributors to the symbolic interactionism was George H. Mead. Mead introduced this perspective to American sociology in the 1920’s (“Three Major Perspectives of Sociology”). However, the symbolic interactionism theory can trace its’ origins to Max Weber. Max Weber was a prominent speaker of the idea that people act according to how they view the world (Crossman). This can be connected to symbolic interactionism by considering how everyone interprets symbols
Functionalism views society as the stability and assimilation of a range of forces that function within it. While society is a separate entity with a life of its own, there are individual elements contributing to that stability. Functionalism as a sociological theory emphasizes assimilation rather than the dissociation of society. Therefore, the society is seen as a whole that is compromised of parts which give one another their identity and their function. The part, whether that is education, such as a school, or sports, such as a football team, operates in relation to the other parts, and cannot be entirely understood in isolation from the other parts. All the parts are interrelated, and when there is a disturbance in any one of the parts, is when you can see the interdependence. But what is important about this theory is that “there will always be some reorganization and tendency to restore equilibrium” (Wallace and Wolf 17). Functionalist do not believe it’s crucial that the people involved in the society to be aware of this interconnectedness anymore than the brain and heart consciously realize that they work together as an organism.
2.) Fully define & describe Functionalism. How did the thinking at the time move away from structuralism to functionalism? Why did people “give up” on structuralism? What role did early studies of the central nervous system play in changing psychology’s focus from structuralism to functionalism? What role did each of the following thinkers have on the development of functionalism:
In symbolic interaction we communicate with other people through roles that we assign to them, the way we label them, or how we act in accordance to what this person symbolizes to us. Often we assign labels, or roles to other people by knowing them from before. It is focused on individual interactions with other people, things or the events. One thing can symbolize one thing to me, but it can mean something else to another individual. Since we view the same thing differently, we will interact towards that thing or individual in different ways. An example of this is, rainy day for my kids means fun in the water, walking through mud, and just enjoying the day. To me the same rainy day means, lots of dirty clothes, mud all over the floor. It is important to remember that someone’s symbolic interaction can change. It is fully focused on micro sociology, only focusing on interactions between individuals. It states that we interact and change according to our prior experiences and interactions. Two sociologists that are identified with this theory are Max Weber and George Mead. Action depends
Sociology is the study of society and the interactions that occur within society itself. There are numerous methods of analyzing societies and the way the function, nonetheless, most methods fall in micro and macro level theories. Micro level theories allow sociologist to study smaller relationships such as individual or compact groups of people. On the other hand, macro level studies permit for larger scale investigations to take place. With both of these theories there are three theoretical perspectives used in sociology. Micro level theories include symbolic interactionism which focuses in interactions done with language and gestures and the means which allow such interactions to take place. Macro level theories include structural functionalism
The symbolic interactionist perspective is one of the main sociological theories used. It is analyzed on a microlevel and states that how people define a situation becomes the foundation for how they behave. This theory has two parts to it, the significance of interactions between two or more individuals, and the significance of symbols. Symbols are people’s means of distinguishing and defining themselves from other people. A few examples of symbols are hand gestures, money, written languages, and clothes. Symbolic interaction transpires when individuals interact through the utilization of the symbols. An example of symbolic interaction is when people in a neighborhood give the individual(s) that have just moved into that neighborhood food
Symbolic interactionists view the family as a site of social reproduction where meanings are negotiated and maintained by family members. Symbolic interactionists argue that shared activities help to build emotional bonds, and that marriage and family relationships are based on negotiated meanings. Symbolic interactionists also explore the changing meanings attached to family. They argue that shared activities help to build emotional bonds among family members, and that marriage and family relationships are based on negotiated meanings. By far, my favorite sociological theory is Symbolic Interactionism.
Armchair anthropologists, Sir Edward Burnett Tylor, and Herbert Spencer, who studied Nineteenth-Century Evolutionism, influenced functionalism theoretically (McGee & Warms 2012: 151). Functionalism did not collect data the same way nineteenth-century evolutionist did; it relied heavily on fieldwork, much like historical particularism. Functionalism viewed societies as timeless and therefor did not account for social change. One of the main key figures during the popularity of functionalism would be the “father of participant observation” Bronsiloaw Malinowski. Malinowski is important to functionalism like Boas is to historical particularism. Functionalism can be divided into two different branches. There is psychological functionalism, as well as structural functionalism. Psychological functionalism is interested how societies function to meet the psychological need as well as basic needs. This school of thought is linked to Malinowski. Malinowski believed that all cultures have the purpose to “satisfy seven needs: nutrition, reproduction, bodily comforts, safety, relaxation, movement and growth,” (McGee & Warms 2012: 152). This idea is based on psychological needs and not necessarily physical ones. Structural functionalism studies how societies maintain equilibrium and the status quo. A.R. Radcliffe-Brown is attributed to the school of structural functionalism along with influence from sociologist Emile Durkheim (McGee &
Sociologists view society in different ways. Sociologists use three major theories: symbolic interactionism, functional analysis, and conflict theory. The symbolic interactionist perspective, also known as symbolic interactionism, directs sociologists to consider the symbols and details of everyday life, what these symbols mean, and how people interact with each other (Cliff). Some examples of symbolic interactionism are the meaning of marriage, the meaning of divorce, the meaning of parenthood, and the meaning of love. Symbols may include wedding bands, vows of life‐long commitment, a white bridal dress, a wedding cake, a Church ceremony, and flowers and music. American society attaches general meanings to these symbols, but individuals also maintain their own perceptions of what these and other symbols mean (Cliff). Symbols have a shared social meaning that is understood by all members of society. Symbolical interactionism is analyzed at a micro-sociological level. It examines small-scale patterns of social interaction. It focuses mainly on face-to-face interaction and how people use symbols to create a social life.
Functionalism is the oldest and most commonly used theoretical approach used to understand social issues. Functionalism is a macrosociological perspective that presents the idea that society consists of different components working together to help a society function as one. Sociolog...
the interaction the individual itself and how they interact within their surroundings. Through symbolic interactionalism you look at things and what they mean, and then determine the effects they have. There are many hand signs, both good and bad, that people exchange, as well as facial expressions in reaction to an event or statement that a symbolic interactionalist would look at. My observation period in the library allowed me to glimpse into the life of a sociologist. I realized that you could learn a lot about someone by just watching him or her. Their behavior is highly representative of the person they are; yet one cannot assume what specific reactions imply. Through the use of your sociological imagination you are able to gain a deeper understanding of behavior and how behavior is influenced by society.
Theories in sociology sometime provide us with the different perspectives with which to view our social...
1) The three sociological perspectives are structural functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. Structural functionalism is a paradigm based on the assumption that society is a unified whole that functions because of the contributions of its separate structures (Ferris 20). Emile Durkheim believed that there were two types of solidarity; mechanical solidarity where societies bonded over culture (family, experiences beliefs), and organic solidarity which was a society bonding around a job. This perspective is viewed as a macro-sociological theory because it focuses on the larger picture. Structural functionalism is the interdependence of the societies and their ability to influence one another.
Sociologists employ three major theoretical perspectives in sociology today. They are the structural-functionalist perspective, the conflict perspective, and the symbolic interactionism. The structural-functionalist perspective is done at a macro level and its focus is on the relationships between the parts of society. The Conflict perspective is done at a macro level and its main focus is on how the wealthy controls the poor and weak. Symbolic Interactionism is done at a micro and it focuses on the use of symbols and face to face interactions.
For the majority of the the twentieth century, the concept of functionalism mainly characterized American Sociology. Which was basically were studies avoided grand theory and gathered most thoughts through the collection of observations of people in their environments. Functionalism is a macro-sociology and it focuses on the large theories of society. It’s name came from the idea that the most effective way to examine society was to identify the roles that different characteristics take apart in. It is essentially it is a more in-depth version of a theory called organicism which compares society to a living organism, with each (cell, tissue, organ system) playing an important tole in keeping the organism (society) alive.
Keep in mind that functionalism is always oriented toward what is good for the whole. As we examine different philosophical foundations of sociology, we will note the advantages and disadvantages of this perspective.