PERSPECTIVES

Three Main Theories

■STRUCTURAL-FUNCTIONAL = interlocking systems

■CONFLICT = power struggles

■SYMBOLIC INTERACTION = shared meanings

Structural Functionalism■ Society an organism■ Manifest – Explicit & Clear

Functions■ Latent – Hidden functions■ Could be dysfunctional and inviting

change■ ASK: What function does it serve?

EMILE DURKHEIM

TALCOTT PARSONS

Consider College EducationTraining next generationLatent function – delaying job market entry

Social Conflict

■ Hierarchies■ How does society maintain these hierarchies■ Lower levels can rebel/revolt causing social

change■ Ask: Who benefits?

KARL MARXMAX WEBER

Consider College EducationHigher education, testing, admissions, construction all big $$Reinforces societal divisionsGeorge W Bush went to Yale so did George HW Bush

Symbolic Interaction■ Shared meanings of symbols,

language, behavior■ Meanings can change over time■ ASK: What do others think it

means?GEORGE HERBERT MEAD

ERVING GOFFMANConsider College Education■ Degree has symbolic value

Military Cut

Think about what? Who? Where? Why?

List what topics/questions each kind of theorist ask.

Conflict: Where is the social inequality?

Functional: How does it contribute to social stability?

Symbolic-Interaction: What are the shared meanings?

Banned Books

Conflict Function S-IWho benefits?• Mainstream voices• “Moral” voices• Keeps out stories of the

other• Who’s calls for bans

are listened to?Who Loses?• Outsiders

Society benefits?• Protects young readers• Agreeing on the

banned reinforces group cohesion

Dysfunction?

Meanings?• Changes over time

what is acceptable• Used to be sex and

Languge.• Still that plus LGBT or

ethnically diverse views

Banned Books

Click icon to add picture

Think about what? Who? Where? Why?

List what topics/questions each kind of theorist ask.

Conflict: Where is the social inequality?

Functional: How does it contribute to social stability?

Symbolic-Interaction: What are the shared meanings?

CBS this Morning VIDEO

Banned Books

Conflict Function S-IWho benefits?• Mainstream voices• “Moral” voices• Keeps out stories of the

other• Who’s calls for bans

are listened to?Who Loses?• Outsiders

Society benefits?• Protects young readers• Agreeing on the

banned reinforces group cohesion

Dysfunction?

Meanings?• Changes over time

what is acceptable• Used to be sex and

Languge.• Still that plus LGBT or

ethnically diverse views

Start an interesting question list

????

Expensive WeddingsThink about what? Who? Where? Why?

List what topics/questions each kind of theorist ask.

Conflict: Where is the social inequality?

Functional: How does it contribute to social stability?

Symbolic-Interaction: What are the shared meanings?

VIDEO

Expensive Weddings

Conflict Function S-IWho benefits?• Wedding Industry• DeBeers and diamonds• Prestige with beautiful

wedding• Feminist perspective

GIVING bride away, still?

Who Loses?• Those too poor for the

perfect wedding• Those groups denied

legal marriage

Society benefits?• Maintains wedding

industry• Reinforces the

‘specialness’ of marriage

• Reciprocal attendance cements social bonds

• Reinforces family unityDysfunction?• Overemphasizes

wedding over marriage

Meanings?• Good = expensive• Pinterest/Facebook

expectations• Vows• Personalized but just

like what seen online• Bridezilla expectations

Pokemon GoList what topics/questions each kind of theorist ask.

Conflict: Where is the social inequality?

Functional: How does it contribute to social stability?

Symbolic-Interaction: What are the shared meanings?

VIDEO

Pokemon GO

Conflict Function S-IWho benefits?• Corporate Game

developers• Phone companies• App developersWho Loses?• Property owners• Public spaces• Those who are not

welcome in public spaces

Society benefits?• Creates ‘common

social space’• Shared social

experienceDysfunction?• Public space cannot

support game – Lake Park

Meanings?• Language

understandable to fellow players

• Cooperative game• Shared rituals

FacebookThink about what? Who? Where? Why?List what topics/questions each kind of theorist ask.

Conflict: Where is the social inequality?

Functional: How does it contribute to social stability?

Symbolic-Interaction: What are the shared meanings?

VIDEO

Picture: People are silhouetted as they pose with mobile devices in front of a screen projected with a Facebook logo, in this picture illustration taken in Zenica October 29, 2014 REUTERS/Dado Ruvic

Facebook

Conflict Function S-IWho benefits?• Those with the most

followers• Companies that collect

data• Alt news sources can

be distributed

Who Loses?

Society benefits?Connections across the globe between families and friends

Dysfunction?• Time sink• Loss of deeper

connection • Politics!

Meanings?• Who likes and doesn’t

like• Who chooses what to

share• Facebook life vs real

life

Baby Names

Think about what? Who? Where? Why?List what topics/questions each kind of theorist ask.

Conflict: Where is the social inequality?

Functional: How does it contribute to social stability?

Symbolic-Interaction: What are the shared meanings?

VIDEO

Baby names

Conflict Function S-IWho benefits?• Those whose name

signals statusWho Loses?• Those judged by an

ethnic or female name

Society benefits?• Creates ‘common

social space’• Shared social

experienceDysfunction?• If knowing gender

matters than gender neutral names cause dysfunction

Meanings?• Confounds

expectations• Some considered

inventive others stupid• Gender

confusion/fluidity

Presidential DebatesThink about what? Who? Where? Why?

List what questions each kind of theorist ask?

Conflict VIDEO

Functional VIDEO

Symbolic-Interaction

AD examples DOG Whistle Body Language

Political Debates

Conflict Function S-IWho benefits?• Two main parties• Leading candidates• TV stations (now)Who loses?• Third parties

Society benefits?• Information for voters• Moderated with

questioners• GaegDysfunctions?• More theater than

issues

Meanings?• Dog Whistle talk – on

the surface race-neutral but heard as a race/ethnic warning

• Interruptions• Body language• Code switching

depending on which group

Outliers, Chp 2

■ Compare notes■ Compare summaries.■ FOCUS: Quote lead in and explanation

■ Revise your summary

■ Consider your main agree/disagree