Agenda: Wednesday, March 20, 2013Agenda: Wednesday, March 20, 2013

SUPSUP PowerPoint/Discuss: PowerPoint/Discuss:

- Perspective picture- Perspective picture- Functionalist perspective- Functionalist perspective

Partners: Functionalist view of a pep assemblyPartners: Functionalist view of a pep assembly Homework: Homework: Infidelity, Tiger Woods, and Émile Infidelity, Tiger Woods, and Émile

Durkheim on http://tp5207.edublogs.orgDurkheim on http://tp5207.edublogs.org

The LTsThe LTsThe The

Learning Learning TargetsTargets

What are theoretical perspectives?What are theoretical perspectives?What are the primary components of What are the primary components of

functionalism?functionalism?Be able to apply the functionalist Be able to apply the functionalist perspective to a pep assembly or perspective to a pep assembly or

other social event. other social event.

Theoretical Perspective in SociologyTheoretical Perspective in Sociology

PerspectivePerspective is the way you interpret the meaning is the way you interpret the meaning of an image or event.of an image or event.

Beliefs or values hold influence your perspectiveBeliefs or values hold influence your perspective Your perspective draws your attention to some Your perspective draws your attention to some

things and blinds you to others.things and blinds you to others.

Theoretical Perspective in SociologyTheoretical Perspective in Sociology

A theoretical perspective is a set of assumptions A theoretical perspective is a set of assumptions about an area of study- in this case, the workings of about an area of study- in this case, the workings of society. society.

Sociology has 3 major theoretical perspectives: Sociology has 3 major theoretical perspectives: functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactions.interactions.

Each of these views represents a method of Each of these views represents a method of examining the same phenomena.examining the same phenomena.

Each of these perspectives provides a different slant Each of these perspectives provides a different slant on human behavior.on human behavior.

Theoretical Perspective in SociologyTheoretical Perspective in Sociology One perspective emphasizes certain aspects of an One perspective emphasizes certain aspects of an

event, while another perspective accents different event, while another perspective accents different aspects of the same event.aspects of the same event.

Each is based on general ideas as to how social life is Each is based on general ideas as to how social life is organized and represents an effort to link specific organized and represents an effort to link specific observations in a meaningful way.observations in a meaningful way.

The exclusive use of any one of them prevents our The exclusive use of any one of them prevents our seeing other aspects of social behavior.seeing other aspects of social behavior.

All three perspectives together allow us to see most All three perspectives together allow us to see most of the important dimensions of human social behavior.of the important dimensions of human social behavior.

How Many letter "F"s do you see How Many letter "F"s do you see in the following sentence:in the following sentence:

FINISHED FILES ARE THE RESULT FINISHED FILES ARE THE RESULT OF YEARS OF SCIENTIFIC STUDY OF YEARS OF SCIENTIFIC STUDY

COMBINED WITHCOMBINED WITH THE THE EXPERIENCE OF YEARS.EXPERIENCE OF YEARS.

 

FunctionalismFunctionalism

The functionalist perspective has The functionalist perspective has twotwo primary primary components. components.

FirstFirst all of society’s social institutions (parts) are all of society’s social institutions (parts) are interrelated and are designed to maintain stability interrelated and are designed to maintain stability in society (the whole) in order to meet systems in society (the whole) in order to meet systems needs.needs.

If society is to function smoothly, its various parts If society is to function smoothly, its various parts must work together in harmony. must work together in harmony.

FunctionalismFunctionalism SecondSecond key element of key element of

functionalism centers on the belief functionalism centers on the belief that there exists a general consensus that there exists a general consensus on values (among society’s on values (among society’s members). members).

Thus, in order for any social system Thus, in order for any social system (society, organization, family, or (society, organization, family, or personal relationship with others) to personal relationship with others) to remain intact, there must be some remain intact, there must be some commitment to general values, commitment to general values, issues of morality, and goals.issues of morality, and goals.

Types of functions:Types of functions: ManifestManifest functions are intended and recognized. One of functions are intended and recognized. One of

the manifest functions of schools to teach math skills.the manifest functions of schools to teach math skills. LatentLatent functions are unintended and unrecognized. A functions are unintended and unrecognized. A

latent function of schools is the development of close latent function of schools is the development of close friendships.friendships.

DysfunctionsDysfunctions are the elements that have negative are the elements that have negative consequences. Dysfunction may threaten the capacity of consequences. Dysfunction may threaten the capacity of a society to adapt and survive. Examples of dysfunctions a society to adapt and survive. Examples of dysfunctions of education in the United States are bullying, gangs and of education in the United States are bullying, gangs and violence.violence.

How does functionalism explain social change?How does functionalism explain social change? Functionalists see the parts of society as a integrated Functionalists see the parts of society as a integrated

whole. A change in one part of a society leads to whole. A change in one part of a society leads to changes in other parts.changes in other parts.

Functionalism assumes that societies tend to return to Functionalism assumes that societies tend to return to a state of stability after some upheaval has occurred.a state of stability after some upheaval has occurred.

A society may change over time, but functionalists A society may change over time, but functionalists believe that it will be return to a stable state. It will do believe that it will be return to a stable state. It will do this by changing in such a way that society will be this by changing in such a way that society will be similarsimilar what it was before. what it was before.

ExamplesExamples The effects of industrialization on family size.The effects of industrialization on family size.

Student unrest in the 1960s and changes in politics Student unrest in the 1960s and changes in politics and education.and education.

Agenda: Thursday, March 21, 2013Agenda: Thursday, March 21, 2013 SUPSUP Discuss: Edublogs ArticleDiscuss: Edublogs Article PowerPoint/Discuss: PowerPoint/Discuss:

- Conflict perspective- Conflict perspective Partners: Conflict view of a pep assemblyPartners: Conflict view of a pep assembly PowerPoint/Discuss:PowerPoint/Discuss:

- - Symbolic InteractionismSymbolic Interactionism Homework: Chapter 2: Worksheet #1Homework: Chapter 2: Worksheet #1

The LTsThe LTsThe The

Learning Learning TargetsTargets

What are the primary components of What are the primary components of the conflict perspective?the conflict perspective?

Be able to apply the conflict Be able to apply the conflict perspective to a pep assembly or perspective to a pep assembly or

other social event. other social event. What are the primary components of What are the primary components of

Symbolic Interactionism?Symbolic Interactionism?

Conflict PerspectiveConflict Perspective The conflict perspective recognizes that The conflict perspective recognizes that

society is comprised of many different parts society is comprised of many different parts but insists that these parts are in competition but insists that these parts are in competition with each other over scarce resources. with each other over scarce resources.

Conflict theories emphasize the role of power Conflict theories emphasize the role of power and the inequality found systematically and the inequality found systematically throughout society. throughout society.

Conflict theorists argue that there is no true Conflict theorists argue that there is no true consensus and that instead, society’s norms consensus and that instead, society’s norms and values are those of the dominant group.and values are those of the dominant group.

Conflict PerspectiveConflict Perspective The power (dominant) groups, because of their The power (dominant) groups, because of their

greater resources, are able to dictate the greater resources, are able to dictate the manner in which society is run and maintained.manner in which society is run and maintained.

The people who lack power become The people who lack power become disenchanted and seek change.disenchanted and seek change.

The power group seeks to maintain its power The power group seeks to maintain its power (the status quo) which inevitably results in (the status quo) which inevitably results in social conflict.social conflict.

How does the conflict perspective explain How does the conflict perspective explain social change?social change?

Many conflicting groups exist in society. As the Many conflicting groups exist in society. As the balance of power among these groups shifts, balance of power among these groups shifts, change occurs.change occurs.

For example, the women’s movement is attempting For example, the women’s movement is attempting to change the balance of power between men and to change the balance of power between men and women.women.

Symbolic InteractionismSymbolic Interactionism Is essentially a social-psychological perspective that forces Is essentially a social-psychological perspective that forces

primarily on the issue of self, self-esteem, and small group primarily on the issue of self, self-esteem, and small group interactions.interactions.

It is primarily concerned with the development of the self and the It is primarily concerned with the development of the self and the presentation of the self.presentation of the self.

Among the primary tenets of symbolic Interactionism is the core Among the primary tenets of symbolic Interactionism is the core belief that individuals, who are capable of communicating with belief that individuals, who are capable of communicating with each other through the use of symbols (e.g. language and each other through the use of symbols (e.g. language and gestures), are affected by language and that language helps to gestures), are affected by language and that language helps to shape their perceptions of events.shape their perceptions of events.

Once we learn the meanings of symbols, we base our behaviorOnce we learn the meanings of symbols, we base our behavior (interaction) on them.(interaction) on them.

If people in a group do not share the same meanings for a given If people in a group do not share the same meanings for a given symbol,confusionsymbol,confusion results.results.

We use the meanings of symbols to imagine how others We use the meanings of symbols to imagine how others will respond to our behavior. Through this capability, we will respond to our behavior. Through this capability, we can have “internal conversations” with ourselves. These can have “internal conversations” with ourselves. These conversations enable us to visualize- how other will conversations enable us to visualize- how other will respond to us before we act. This is crucial because we respond to us before we act. This is crucial because we guide our interactions with people according to the guide our interactions with people according to the behavior we think others expect of us and we expect-of behavior we think others expect of us and we expect-of others. Meanwhile, these others are also having internal others. Meanwhile, these others are also having internal conversations. The interaction (action on each other) that conversations. The interaction (action on each other) that follows is therefore symbolic interaction.follows is therefore symbolic interaction.

Symbolic InteractionismSymbolic Interactionism

Symbolic InteractionismSymbolic Interactionism

ExampleExample

Is this a date or are we friends?Is this a date or are we friends?