Introduction to Sociological Perspectives

• Perspectives=broad-based assumptions about society and about social behaviour

• Theories=are statements that organise a set of concepts meaningfully by explaining the relationship between them

• Facts=self-evident,accessible to the senses and readily translated into understandable statements

• Ideology=a complex believe systems that provide a partial and biased vie of reality

Introduction to Sociological Perspectives

• Functionalism=major figures are Emile Durkheim and Talcot Parsons

• Focus on=macro level such as social order, social cohesion and social integration

• Social System needs/pre-requisites• Adaptation=environment and social system to

provide for physical needs=Economic System• Goal Attainment=societal goals and resource

allocation=Political System

Introduction to Sociological Perspectives

• Pattern Maintenance=maintaining value consensus and norms=The family, Education System etc.

• Integration=Dispute settlement-The Legal System

• Value Consensus=necessary for society

• Social Inequalities=essential to fill all jobs

Introduction to Sociological Perspectives

• Marxism=conflict is the hallmark of society• Capitalism will be overcome by true communism• Class antagonism=two major classes=owners and

non=owners of the means of production• Class in itself=either owner or non-owner of means of

production=objective • Class for itself=recognises own exploitation and

common enemy=combines objective and subjective• False Consciousness=not recognising objective reality

Introduction to Sociological Perspectives

• Means of Production=land, raw materials, buildings et.

• Forces of Production=means of production plus technological and scientific knowledge needed in process of production

• Relations of Production=relations between people in the process of production

• Inequalities=are unjust and need to be abolished

Introduction to Sociological Perspectives

• Social Action Theory= Max Weber,micro level analysis• Social Structures are the patterned actions of

individuals• Social action and social structures are two sides of the

same coin• Two forms of understanding=Direct

understanding=observation• Explanatory understanding=reasons/motives for action• Causal understanding=find causes for motivation of

actions

Introduction to Sociological Perspectives

• Interactionism=focus on the meanings people attach to their own and others actions

• The “Self” seen as socially constructed –not a static entity,not totally determined by society

• Reciprocal relationship between the “I” and the “ME”• Humans have “Self-Consciousness”• Interaction via Symbols,eg. Language• Pre-supposes the existence of society,stresses active

role of humans in the construction/maintenance of the “self”

Introduction to Sociological Perspectives

• Feminism=focus on gender inequalities• Patriarchy=fundamental concept and tool for the

oppression of women• Gender Differences• Gender Inequalities• Gender Oppression• Feminism seeks to abolish the oppression of

women• Gender is socially constructed

Introduction to Sociological Perspectives

• Biological differences are transformed into social and economic inequalities

• Society,language and thinking,including science,is male dominated

• “Sociology (like other sciences)is a science of male society and a male science of society” (Jesse Bernard)

• Feminists reject the notion that gender inequalities are determined by nature and necessary for the good of society

Introduction to Sociological Perspectives

• Structuration Theory=Anthony Giddens• Attempts to overcome the dichotomy between

structure and action • Argues that structure and action (agency) are

mutually dependent• Structures are created and maintained within

existing conceptual and material frame works and resources

• Structure and Agency reproduce and/or change social life

Introduction to Sociological Perspectives

• Humans always have a choice of action

• Inequalities of power enables some and restricts others in making choices

• Some structures are not accessible to control by many people

• Neglects the dimension of time,changes may take a very long time to achieve

Introduction to Sociological Perspectives

• Conclusions• Sociological Perspectives and Theories are

useful tools in understanding both society and the individual within it

• They provide a different “picture” of,and take a different angle on the same reality

• They make no claim of absolute truth and authority