Chapter 1Section 3

Modern Perspectives

“School of Thought”

A general set of assumptions about the nature of things

Outlines specific ideas about that nature of social life

Theoretical PerspectiveTheoretical Perspective

Broadly based on the ideas of Spencer, Comte, and Durkheim

View society as a set of interrelated parts that work together to produce a stable social system

Society is held together through consensus Topics of interest: functions of family,

religion, education, and the economy in society

Functionalist Perspective (Functionalism)

Functions: positive consequences for society as a whole

Dysfunction: negative consequences for the stability of a social system (ex. Crime)

Manifest Function: intended and recognized consequence of some function of society (ex. Manifest function of an automobile is to provide speedy transportation from one location to another

Latent Function: un intended and unrecognized consequence of an element of society (ex. Latent function of an automobile is to display wealth and gain social standing)

Role of Functions

Broadly based on the ideas of Karl Marx Focus on the forces in society that promote

social change and competition Topics of interest: how those who possess

more power in society exercise control over those with less power, competition between various groups in society (men vs. women; different ages, races, etc.)

NOT limited to the study of violent conflict

Conflict Perspective

Feminist theory is often seen as an extension of conflict perspective

Focuses on one particular area of inequality-gender

Feminist theorists believe gender inequality is created by society (not biology) and is reinforced by social institutions (religion, family, and education)

Feminism

Broadly based on the work of Max WeberFocuses on how individuals interact with

one another in societyHow do individuals respond to one

another in everyday situations?Topics of interest: child development,

relationships within small groups, mate selection, symbolism

Interactionist Perspective

What is the role of symbols in our daily lives? Members of society must agree on the

meaning that is attached to a given symbol (ex. American flag, the bald eagle, Fourth of July)

Symbolic Interaction: how people use symbols when interacting

Three essential elements: meaning, language, and thought

Symbols

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