Major Sociological Theories
explanatory Essay
1707 words
1 Most sociologists interpret social life from one of three major theoretical frameworks or theories: symbolic interactionism, functional analysis, or conflict theory. Describe the major points and key concepts of each framework. List at least one sociologist who is identified with each of these three frameworks.
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
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In this essay, the author
- Explains that most sociologists interpret social life from one of three major theoretical frameworks or theories: symbolic interactionism, functional analysis, or conflict theory.
- Explains that symbolic interaction is focused on individual interactions with other people, things or the events.
- Explains that functional analysis uses macrosociology to explain how society works. the theory is presented as a living organism in which every individual or institution is necessary to work together for society to thrive.
- Explains that conflict theory by karl marks is based on inequity conflict, exploitation in society, and it is consistently calling for revolution and changes.
- Explains that sociologists use macro and micro analysis to predict or explain trends in society.
- Describes the seven components of nonmaterial culture, including language, values, norms, sanctions, folkways, and mores.
- Explains that values in the culture determine what is desirable and respectful behavior, or interaction with society and other people. being overweight is a matter of social status.
- Explains that norms are the ways that individuals are expected to behave in specific culture. burping after the meal in middle eastern counties is a compliment to the lady of the house.
- Explains folkways, people way, are non-written norms appointing how individual should behave in casual everyday social interactions. breaking them will not get you arrested, but you will be frowned upon and be subject of gossip.
- Explains that mores are essential for proper function of society. positive and negative sanctions are written norms and awards of penalties for good or bad social behavior.
- Explains that agents of socialization are the influences that shape us as a person, individuals, and members of society.
- Explains that family is the first socialization agent, and that as parents, we shape our children into productive, successful individuals by controlling their behavior.
- Opines that family is the most influential socialization agent, if applied as much as it should.
In which way agents affects us will reflect on micro and micro level. Meaning, how we are affected and shaped by those agents will reflect on our life our family on micro level, but also on society as whole on macro level. Four of the most important and common agents are: family, peers, school and mass media. Besides those 4 major agents, we also recognize religion government or even economy as agents of socialization. We will focus on 4 major
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- Explains the conflict theory, popularized by karl marx in the mid-19th century, which focuses on the oppression of the individual by dominating forces.
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- Explains that they hold the structural functionalism perspective. they believe that each person in society has a certain task to keep society functioning.
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- Explains talcott parsons' view that all societies must provide for meeting social needs in order to survive. he defined the social structure as any relatively stable pattern of social behavior.
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- Explains that symbolic interactionist perspective is a sociological theory that implements the use of symbols and/or direct facial interactions.
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- States that homelessness occurs when people or households are unable to acquire and/or maintain housing they can afford. 564,708 from many communities reported themselves as homeless on a given night of january 2015.
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- Recommends providing permanent and stable housing to homeless individuals and families, with few/no condition and alcohol and substance abuse programs, for youth, family reunification, and case management to help resolve internal family conflict.
- Explains that the sociological symbolic interactionism explored homelessness and its causes in order to become aware of such problem in society.
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- Explains that the feminist theory deals with human life through the experience of a woman.
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- Explains that social theories help explain behavior driven by passion, tradition, self-interest, religion, and the laws we have set out today in stone.
- Explains that two of the four coordinates that are completely opposite from each other on this theoretical framework are "individual" and "collective."
- Analyzes how the four-cell analytical frame is essential for understanding the comparing and contrasting of our theorist better.
- Explains that karl marx was a theorist who was first sparked by the industrial revolution that first began in britain.
- Argues that marx's suggestion of the proletariat sinking deeper and deeper with the advancement of industry is irrelevant and does not apply to our global economy today.
- Explains that alienation is prevalent in contemporary capitalistic societies because money is what makes the world go round and the process of production and labor confronts us as a dominating power.
- Explains that emile durkheim's core concepts of solidarity and his focus on collective representations led him to become a nonrationalist.
1601 wordsRead More - Symbolic Interaction Approach Essayexplanatory essayOverall, the symbolic-interaction approach is a major concept in sociology and in society. The symbolic-interaction approach is a main part of understanding how people interact and how society interacts as a whole. This approach involves symbols, language, and body language all perceived by each individuals in society. The symbolic-interaction approach focuses on patterns of interaction is certain settings in society. It is important to understand this concept to learn that not everyone’s interpretation of society may be the same and to work towards creating a better
In this essay, the author
- Explains the symbolic-interaction approach, developed by max weber during 1864-1982, which sees society as the product of everyday interactions of individuals.
- Explains the importance of studying the symbolic-interaction approach to learn that people interpret interactions differently.
- Explains that people's behaviors change based on the meaning we give social interaction. if a teenage girl had just changed schools, she could use the symbolic-interaction approach to interpret the symbols.
- Explains that the symbolic-interaction approach is a major concept in sociology and in society. it involves symbols, language, and body language.
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- Explains that to evaluate functionalism, marxism, and interactionism, we must first look at the strengths and weaknesses of each theory.
- Analyzes how the functionalist perspective is best understood using an organismic analogy: "societies are comparable to living organisms."
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- Explains that humans have a natural instinct to improve and develop, which affects systems and processes, whether it is education, family values, or religious approaches.
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- Explains marxism originated through the work of karl marx (1818-1883). marx viewed contradiction and conflict as the basic foundation of all known human societies.
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- Analyzes how marx was the first to recognise a class system within society, but he failed to recognize the individual interaction within the society.
- Explains that society is never viewed with a harmonistic approach. there was conflict between the ruling class and the subject class, but the social groups within these two groups are never examined. marx dismissed capitalism as an economic and political system.
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- Analyzes how interactionists understand the way the world is socially constructed. they view society as an elaborate fiction based on the fact that we create a society to make sense of the overwhelming range of behaviours.
- Explains that interactionists view that society is made up of labels. they like to label individuals to place them within a certain social group, for example criminals, homosexuals etc.
- Argues that this is the first sociological theory that looks at society on an individual basis, allowing for in depth understanding of social groups.
- Analyzes how structures affect the view of power within society, as social groups who have more power than others are not discussed. little or no attempt is made to define and explain how social relationships that we create reflect back on our own behaviour.
- Analyzes how the three sociological theories have their strengths and weaknesses, and how they can be applied to today's society. functionalism addresses issues that apply today.
- Opines that marxism had the focus on economic rule, and class. while class still exists, it is now possible to move up and down those classes.
- Opines that interactionism, which looks at the individual and there influence and understanding of other social groups, has allowed us to understand small, but none of the above theories will ever give us a true insight into how all societies work.
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- Opines that patterns have as much, if not more, to do with the way they have.
- Opines that others see the deviant label as a master status of the organization.
- Analyzes how the critic of his work is that he doesn't offer any criticism.
- Opines that people with lower incomes commit crime as they may not be able to afford it.
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