...Sociological Perspectives In this assignment I will explore the sociological perspectives. In sociology there are 7 perspectives. Sociology is “The study of human social behaviour, especially the study of the origins, organization, institutions, and development of human society.” (American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 2011). The seven perspectives of sociology are functionalism, Marxism, feminism, interactionism, postmodernism, new right and collectivism. Definitions “Functionalism interprets each part of society in terms of how it contributes to the stability of the whole society. Society is more than the sum of its parts; rather, each part of society is functional for the stability of the whole society” (Crossman, 2015). “Marxism is a political, social, and economic philosophy derived from the work of the 19th-century historians Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. It views human history as a struggle between social classes and asserts that capitalism is inherently exploitative.” (Chegg.com, 2015) “Feminism is a complex set of political ideologies used by the women’s movement to advance the cause of women’s equality and to end the sexist theory and practice of social oppression. (Crossman, 2015) “The interactionist perspective is one of the major theoretical perspectives within sociology. It focuses on the concrete details of what goes on among individuals in everyday life. Interactionists study how we use and interpret symbols not only to communicate...
Words: 905 - Pages: 4
...norms. Much of human life is also consumed with conflicts between groups, each of which tries to defend its own self interests. The competition of individuals and groups for wealth and power is the fundamental process shaping social structure. The conflict of groups produces a progressive development of greater equality, democracy, autonomy and individuality, as different forms of privilege are abolished. Many factors interact to generate changes in people's behavior and in the culture and structure of their society, including the physical environment, population, clashes over resources and values, supporting values and norms, innovation (discoveries and inventions), diffusion, and the mass media. The need for the study of sociology is greater especially in underdeveloped countries. Sociologists have now drawn the attention of economists regarding the social factors that have contributed to the economic backwardness of a few countries. Economists have now realized the importance of...
Words: 1675 - Pages: 7
...consider occupation, income, education, gender, age, and race as dimensions of social location.(4) 3. d All three statements reflect ways in which the social sciences are like the natural sciences. Both attempt to study and understand their subjects objectively; both attempt to undercover the relationships that create order in their respective worlds through controlled observation; and both are divided into many specialized fields. (5-7) 4. c Generalization is one of the goals of scientific inquiry. It involves going beyond individual cases by making statements that apply to broader groups or situations. (7) 5. b The Industrial Revolution, imperialism, and the development of the scientific method all contributed to the development of sociology. The fourth influence was the political revolutions in America and France — there was no political revolution in Britain at that time. (8-9) 6. d Positivism is the application of the scientific approach to the social world. (9) 7. d Of the four statements, the one that best reflects Herbert Spencer’s views on charity is “The poor are the weakest members of society and if society intervenes to help them, it is interrupting the natural process of social evolution.” While many contemporaries of Spencer’s were appalled by his views, the wealthy industrialists found them attractive. (10) 8. b The proletariat is the large group of workers who are exploited by the small group of capitalists who own the means of production, according...
Words: 1497 - Pages: 6
...Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology By Adilene Benavidez Sociology B1 CRN# 71786 Prof. John Carpenter September 24, 2014 Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology Sociologist view society in three major theories: Structural Functionalism, Conflict Theory, and Symbolic Interactions. Each theory used allows us to understand the views of social life. Structural Functionalism: “ Functional Analysis, the central idea of functional analysis is that society is a whole unit, made up of interrelated parts that work together”(Henson 2015:17). Structural Functionalism is the idea that different parts of society work together like that of a body’s organs to create harmony. It’s seen on a macro level, looking at the big picture. Conflict Theory: “provides a third perspective on social life. Unlike the functionalist, who views society as a harmonious whole with its part working together, conflict theorists stress that society are of groups that are competing with one another for scarce resources. The surface might show cooperation, but scratch that surface and you will find a struggle for power”(Henson 2015:20). A Conflict theorist, see society as two classes, the proletariat (worker) and the bourgeoisie (owners). It’s like a sports arena one team and fans being the workers and the other team being the owners competing for the win. The higher class you are, the more power you have. Status is very important for power and so is being in a political party. This theory is also seen...
Words: 324 - Pages: 2
...Roberts, and Korgen. Our Social World: Condensed, Fourth Edition. © 2015 SAGE Publications The Development of Sociology • Social thought before sociology: strongly influenced by religion and philosophy • Modern sociology arose in 19th century Europe, influenced by several conditions: – Colonialism: exposure to other cultures – Industrial Revolution & French Revolution: desire to know how dramatic change could be systematically explained – Advances in the natural sciences: desire to apply scientific method to the social world Ballantine, Roberts, and Korgen. Our Social World: Condensed, Fourth Edition. © 2015 SAGE Publications The Development of Sociology August Comte & the science of society • Coined the term “sociology” in 1838 • Thought society’s problems could not be understood by philosophical or religious speculation; scientific knowledge was needed • Two main concerns – What holds society together? (social statics or structure) – Why is there change in society? (social dynamics or process) Ballantine, Roberts, and Korgen. Our Social World: Condensed, Fourth Edition. © 2015 SAGE Publications The Development of Sociology Early sociology after Comte • Focus on massive social and economic change brought by Industrial Revolution • Focus on relationship between micro-, meso-, and macro-level processes • Early sociological theorists: Emile Durkheim, Karl Marx, Harriet Martineau, Max Weber, W.E.B. DuBois • Use of scientific method to test...
Words: 2442 - Pages: 10
...FAMILY: THEORECTICAL VIEWS Vernell Brooks SOC 101: Introduction to Sociology Instructor: Diane Meza January 23, 2012 I. Introduction: A. In Sociology, there are many perspectives or theories each with their own view on issues. The perspectives or theories that are more popular are functionalism, conflict, and symbolic interactionism. Each analyzes a topic with different approaches and has different outcomes. In this paper I will examine the views, approach, and societal effects that functionalism, conflict, and symbolic interactionism have about the family structure. II. Sociological Perspectives: A. Functionalism B. Conflict C. Symbolic Interactionism III. Family: A. Functionalist perspective B. Conflict perspective C. Symbolic Interaction perspective D. Similarities and differences IV. Types of Families A. Nuclear Family B. Single hood- Mother or Father C. Step-families D. Societal effects V. Conclusion: A. Family is any group of individuals connected either biologically, emotionally, or legally. Family is not a social organization to dominate one group by the other. To functionalist, family is a component of society performing a key role in the socialization of children and many other tasks. However, conflict theorist view family not as a functional part of society but as a smaller class in society where one group oppresses the other. From a symbolic interactionist standpoint, family is a social group...
Words: 2624 - Pages: 11
...we live have been and remain prominent within Sociology. Interpretations of our society largely come down to two over-riding concepts; a postmodern society or a late modern society. Definitions of such concepts are crucial in writing this essay in which I discuss the differing perspectives surrounding the state of our society today and the background for these perspectives, as well as highlighting their relevance to modern Britain. The postmodern world and postmodernity may be defined as a large, mainly cultural change from modernity which has seen a greater emphasis on pluralism and variety within the society (Macionis, 2011), we can relate such concepts to the likes of Bauman, Baudrillard and Lyotard who additionally place a large amount of importance on the size of such change and disruption (Stones, 2008). In contrast, a late modern world in relation to late modernity is defined as a society which has seen a rapid and almost uncontrollable growth of issues and institutional ideas pre-set and sustained within the philosophy of modernity, as well as the disappearance of boundaries which formally split such societies. (Macionis, 2011). With many features of modernity including technology and identity, as well as seemingly smaller issues such as anxiety, there is plenty to discuss in such a debate over postmodern and late modern worlds. As is clearly evident from the definitions above and as pointed out by Bauman, within Sociology and in the greater world there is no agreement...
Words: 2077 - Pages: 9
...Ruth Shepherd Unit 7, P1, Sociological perspectives and concepts of health and illness This is an explanation of the principal sociological perspectives, which briefly explain the key ideas of each perspective using relevant theorists such as Talcott Parsons as examples. Functionalist is the approach to sociology and is best understood using biological anatomy. Functionalism can be traced back to August Comte (1798-1857). An Individual is born into society and will become the character of all the social influences such as the family, education, media and religion. The body is a complex mechanism and is understood by being studied. The body is studied by considering the basic parts for example the liver, kidneys, heart and lungs; society is just like the body as a society can be studied in positions of the societies. The body functions through the connection of the major organs, there are many devices to deal with diseases and illnesses; this is linked to different institutions in society as society have contributions to make to one another, they work together and have distinctive approach to deal with irregular behaviour from members. Talcott Parsons (1902-1979) saw society as a scheme made up of connected bodies. These connected bodies contribute to a steadiness in society. Parsons believed that the chief role of a society was to socialise individuals and to ensure that they understand the values of society and that they understood the correct way to behave in the society...
Words: 3281 - Pages: 14
...Homework#1: What is Sociology? For your first homework assignment, I want you to think about the discipline of sociology, and how acquiring a sociological perspective can be useful, even if you do not major in sociology. Your response should be uploaded to Blackboard using the "view/complete" link at the bottom of this prompt no later than 11:59pm on WEDNESDAY, October 29th. Respond to each of the 'prompts' in bold (there are six--Path 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and "Why Sociology?"). Watch this brief video featuring NKU sociology students describing how the discipline of sociology has pushed them to think sociologically about the world around them, and how the sociological perspective is benefitting them in their careers. Watch the (11 minute) video, and write a brief response (described below). The video can be accessed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sj9POR7YTww&feature=youtu.bev NOTE: If clicking the link does not work, try to copy and paste the link into a web browser. THE ASSIGNMENT The video describes five ‘paths’ towards the creation of knowledge in sociology, and concludes with a description of why students might study sociology. As you watch the video, pay attention to the questions related to each path/topic (listed below). For each item, write a short (~1 paragraph) response that addresses the question(s). NOTE: There are no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answers. The purpose of this assignment is to get you started in thinking about the discipline of sociology and what sociologists...
Words: 613 - Pages: 3
...Rebecca Carmody 9/9/15 Political Sociology Marx & Neo-Marx Karl Marx, Antonio Gramsci, Nicos Poulantzas, and Ralph Miliband all had ideas about the superstructure and substructure in a capitalist economy. To start off, what actually is a capitalist economy? A capitalist economy is a free market system, owned privately to control production and profit. The capitalist class owns all relation to production, thus shaping the role of superstructure. Superstructure are the beliefs, educational systems, the state, organization of families, religion, ideology, which are all reflected upon by the capitalist class. In our society today, we are still a functional capitalist economy, although the structure and base are flowed differently through our country nowadays. The theorists all had many ideas, some similar and some differing. They believed that capitalism created two classes, the bourgeoisie, the capitalist class, and the proletariat, the working class. In the structure of the economic society, the capital class, controlled the means of everything. They dictated the means of production, and “the economic substructure exercised powerful limits over what could and could not be done by political institutions and leaders” (Orum 15). The Capitalist class would give jobs to workers in factories, businesses, and Marx would harp on the fact of revolting towards a communist economy. The workers needed to “cease the means of production” and understand the power that...
Words: 687 - Pages: 3
...set beliefs and practices on the concept of spirituality. J. Milton Yinger takes one of the more complex approaches to defining religion. He calls it “a system of beliefs and practices by which a group of people struggle with the ultimate problems of human life – problems relating to human morality, suffering, and injustice; and the need to infuse human life with meaning, and intellectual coherence, and the crucial importance of upholding moral percepts and patterns of social life” (Bouma p.4). Although both definitions seem to be drastically different, they actually do compliment each other and when used together can give us a much better understanding of religion and what it represents to the different cultures of people. Sociological theorists have debated with each other over the way that religion functions and serves a society. The functionalist theory is defined as a sociological theory that focuses on the way in which the many parts of society are designed to maintain social stability. When it comes to religion, through this perspective...
Words: 2042 - Pages: 9
...the world is mentioned as economic globalization. “One who first commits himself to a theory of globalization is Marx. In so doing he identifies an economic dimension of the process” (Waters. M., 2001). The Idea of replacing national boundaries with global union especially in the case of economy was primarily supported by Marx and the other theorists of twentieth century who were struggling to make the big changes for the world’s future. It can be said that the process of globalization rose after industrial revolution (1757-1800) in Europe. Some examples of development and change from that time at which the process has been extended throughout the world so far are; “from farm to factory, division of labor increase, increase in child labor, new methods of administration, mass production and etc”. Nowadays, through the globalized situation, international trade and the achievement of the free market economy is increasing so that workers, consumers, and companies have the strong possibility to go into economic relationships with other workers, consumers and companies anywhere in the world. Institutions like the World Bank, IMF and WTO act key roles to increase economic development and successes. B) Political “The discovery that globalization has a political dimension first surfaced in the work of Burton (1972), Keohane and Nye (1973) and Rosenau (1980)” (Waters.M, 2001). These...
Words: 1741 - Pages: 7
...1 Sociology - Presentation Transcript 1. 1.The Sociological perspective What is Sociology? Sociology is the scientific study of human society & social behavior. 2. What is Sociology? * It focuses primarily on the influence of social relationships upon people’s attitudes and behavior and on how societies are established and change. * The ultimate aim of sociology as summed up by Samuel Koenig is “ to improve man’s adjustment to life by developing objective knowledge concerning social phenomena which can be used to deal effectively with social problems.” 3. The Sociological Perspective * 1. The sociological perspective is important because it provides a different way of looking at familiar worlds. It allows us to gain a new vision of social life. * 2. This perspective stresses the broader social context of behavior by looking at individuals’ social location, employment, income, education, gender, age, and race –and by considering external influences –people’s experiences –which are internalized and become part of a person’s thinking and motivations. (cont…) 4. * We are able to see the links between what people do and the social settings that shape their behavior. * 3. The sociological perspective enables us to analyze and understand both the forces that contribute to the emergence and growth of the global village and our unique experiences in our own smaller corners of this village. 5. Subject Matter of...
Words: 2750 - Pages: 11
...Is Sociology a Science? A Classroom Exercise for Promoting Discussion* Royce A. Singleton, Jr. College of the Holy Cross *I wish to thank Dave Hummon for his helpful comments on an earlier draft of this paper. Paper presented at the annual meetings of the American Sociological Association, San Francisco, 1998. © 2005 Royce A. Singleton, Jr. Is Sociology a Science? A Classroom Exercise for Promoting Discussion Abstract Though sociology was founded on the idea that the social order is subject to scientific study, the “science” question remains controversial. By learning about this controversy, students can learn much about the discipline. This paper describes an exercise, together with data collected from six classes, that asks students to project their personal images of scientists and social scientists. These images invariably contain half-truths and misconceptions that can be used to address three related questions: (1) What is science? (2) How is sociology scientific? and (3) What are the major challenges to sociology as a science? I draw upon my own students’ responses to show how the exercise can generate a wide-ranging discussion of these issues. Is Sociology a Science? A Classroom Exercise for Promoting Discussion The question of whether sociology is a science has a long history in the discipline. It was addressed by virtually all the classical social theorists. But for some time the debate about the scientific status of sociology was muted. In the post-World...
Words: 5411 - Pages: 22
...precarious nature of human behavior and social interaction. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the conceptual foundations of social psychology. Within this analysis will be the definition of social psychology, an analysis of its four key characteristics, an explanation of the concept of situationism, and identification of the five core social motives and how these concepts affect the field of social psychology. Social Psychology Social psychology can be defined as the study of how an individual’s situations influence his or her behavior, emotions, thoughts, etc., with particular focus on how individuals perceive as well as affect on another (Myers, 2008). Furthermore, social psychology primarily focuses on social relations, social influence, and social thinking. According to Myers (2008), social relations refers to certain attributes such as aggression, helping others, prejudice, and attraction and intimacy. Social influence comprises factors such as pressure to conform, biology and culture, groups of people, and persuasion. Finally, social thinking refers to individuals’ beliefs, attitudes, judgments, and perception of oneself as well as others (Myers, 2008). Social psychology is often associated with, or misinterpreted as, sociology when in fact it is much different; to understand the conceptual foundations of social psychology, it is important to note these differences. Social psychology endeavors...
Words: 1278 - Pages: 6
