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Theoretical Perspectives
Objective: To compare the three perspectives sociologist use to view our social world and apply these perspectives to a sociological problem
Use of Sociological Imagination
What is Sociological Imagination?*What is happening in peoples’ lives*social forces surrounding them
(sexual orientation, race, gender, social economic status, ect.)
*connection between our personal lives and the social world in which we live.
What is a Social Problem
• 1. must effect a large # of people
• 2. Threat to values
• 3. needs to have a social cause
• 4. Needs collective action to fix
Let’s try an example
• Use your sociological imagination to explain why Hispanics at Chelan High School usually score lower on standardized tests then Caucasian (white) students• 42% Hispanic 54% White
Now Let’s look at the 3 Theoretical Perspectives
• What is a theory?–Tells/ “attempts” to explain why
something occurred• Assumptions about nature and
operations of society
Theoretical Perspectives
• Quick summary
• What is the driving forces which influence our behavior
• Explains some kind of relationship
• A way of looking at the world
Structural-Functionalist Perspective
• Interactive elements, like how your body works
• How does each part contribute to the society as a whole?
• Trying to bring everything back to a state of balance
Structural-Functionalist Perspective
Functional or dysfunctional
Manifest function vs. latent function
Social pathology vs. social disorganization
(anomie)
Structural-Functionalist Perspective
• Let’s try an example
• Internet–Identify the manifest function vs.
latent function–Identify the functional vs.
dysfunctional
Structural-Functionalist Perspective
• What social problems have be created as a result of the internet?
Conflict Perspective• Different groups struggle with one
another- one group benefits over the other– interest groups
• attain scarce, societal resources
• Power, money, prestige, authority
Conflict Perspective• Bourgeoisie vs. proletariat
• “haves” vs. “have nots”
• Marxist (alienation) vs. non-Marxist
Conflict Perspective
• Using the conflict perspective, identify the groups and reasons for opposition to gay marriage.
Symbolic Interactionist
• Everyday social interaction–Effect it has on individuals
• How our individual identity or sense of self is shaped by social interaction
Symbolic Interactionist• Labeling Theory-meanings /
definitions attributed to people and situations
Vs.• Social constructionism- interpret the
social world around them*social creation, you are what you are around