Sociology Prompt
Chapter 2
Understanding Theory
Korgen, Sociology in Action 1e. SAGE Publishing, 2019.
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Sociology in Action
Kathleen Odell Korgen
Maxine P. Atkinson
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What Is Theory?
Helps notice and understand patterns
Often broad and abstract
Main perspectives: structural functionalism, conflict, symbolic interactionism
Why and how do sociologists use theoretical perspectives?
Korgen, Sociology in Action 1e. SAGE Publishing, 2019.
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Satisfies Learning Objective: 2-1: Why and how do sociologists use theoretical perspectives?
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Understanding the Structural Functionalist Perspective
Modern society has interdependent parts
Parts work together
Social solidarity = moral order
Korgen, Sociology in Action 1e. SAGE Publishing, 2019.
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Learning Objective: 2-2: What is structural functionalism?
Social solidarity is the moral order of a society and is necessary for society to function properly.
The structural functionalist perspective believes that both social harmony and social order are important. Modern societies consist of interrelated parts, and they need to work together in a harmonious and orderly fashion in order for society to function properly.
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Functionalism
Social solidarity is the moral order of a society and is necessary for society to function properly.
The structural functionalist perspective believes that both social harmony and social order are important. Modern societies consist of interrelated parts, and they need to work together in a harmonious and orderly fashion in order for society to function properly.
Korgen, Sociology in Action 1e. SAGE Publishing, 2019.
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Understanding the Structural Functionalist Perspective
Durkheim and Types of Societies:
Mechanical solidarity in pre-industrial societies
Solidarity comes from group similarity
Organic solidarity in more advanced societies
Interdependence on different parts
Korgen, Sociology in Action 1e. SAGE Publishing, 2019.
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Learning Objective: 2-2: What is structural functionalism?
Mechanical solidarity was found in simpler societies. The similarity of its members created social order and cohesion.
Organic solidarity is what defines more complex and current societies. People can specialize in the tasks they perform, and we rely on other people to perform those tasks. What would happen if teachers stopped teaching? Or garbage collectors stopped picking up the trash? How long before problems would arise, causing other societal problems?
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Solidarity
Mechanical solidarity was found in simpler societies. The similarity of its members created social order and cohesion.
Organic solidarity is what defines more complex and current societies. People can specialize in the tasks they perform, and we rely on other people to perform those tasks. What would happen if teachers stopped teaching? Or garbage collectors stopped picking up the trash? How long before problems would arise, causing other societal problems?
Korgen, Sociology in Action 1e. SAGE Publishing, 2019.
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Understanding the Structural Functionalist Perspective
Social Institutions
Sets of statuses and roles
One aspect of society
Work together, form social structures
: What is structural functionalism?
Korgen, Sociology in Action 1e. SAGE Publishing, 2019.
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Learning Objective: 2-2: What is structural functionalism?
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Understanding the Structural Functionalist Perspective
Social Institutions
Microscopic analysis focuses on individuals
Macroscopic analysis focuses on social structure
Seven primary social institutions
Structural functionalism is a macroscopic level theory. It focuses on social structures and society, not the actions of individuals.
The seven primary social institutions are family, religion, economy, education, government, health care, and the media.
Korgen, Sociology in Action 1e. SAGE Publishing, 2019.
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Learning Objective: 2-2: What is structural functionalism?
Structural functionalism is a macroscopic level theory. It focuses on social structures and society, not the actions of individuals.
The seven primary social institutions are family, religion, economy, education, government, health care, and the media.
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Functionalism
Social institutions work together to socialize members of society into following the same norms and values. This helps build social harmony and social order.
Punishment is necessary according to this perspective to correct problematic behavior and prevent others from engaging in similar actions.
In order to maintain social harmony and order, the structural functionalist perspective argues that social change should be slow and gradual. Change that is too rapid can cause problems and unintended consequences.
Korgen, Sociology in Action 1e. SAGE Publishing, 2019.
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Understanding the Structural Functionalist Perspective
Social Institutions
Manifest functions are obvious
Latent functions are secondary
Dysfunctions are unintended consequences
Korgen, Sociology in Action 1e. SAGE Publishing, 2019.
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Learning Objective: 2-2: What is structural functionalism?
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Understanding the Conflict Theoretical Perspective
Karl Marx and Advanced Capitalism
Economy is key social institution
Ten stages of societal development
Advanced capitalism and maximum profits
This perspective grew out of the work of Karl Marx. Marx wrote about the stages of societal development and argued that ten such stages existed. He focused on the last three stages, stating that society was already at Stage 8 (advanced capitalism).
Korgen, Sociology in Action 1e. SAGE Publishing, 2019.
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Learning Objective: 2-3: What is a conflict perspective?
This perspective grew out of the work of Karl Marx. Marx wrote about the stages of societal development and argued that ten such stages existed. He focused on the last three stages, stating that society was already at Stage 8 (advanced capitalism).
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Understanding the Conflict Theoretical Perspective
Karl Marx and Advanced Capitalism
Bourgeoisie: Own means of production
The bourgeoisie are the wealthy and own the technical and materials needed to make good. They employ, and exploit, the proletariat, who are the workers.
Proletariat: Workers
Lumpenproletariat: Chronically unemployed
Korgen, Sociology in Action 1e. SAGE Publishing, 2019.
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Learning Objective: 2-3: What is a conflict perspective?
The bourgeoisie are the wealthy and own the technical and materials needed to make good. They employ, and exploit, the proletariat, who are the workers.
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Understanding the Conflict Theoretical Perspective
Karl Marx and Advanced Capitalism: False Consciousness
Proletariat don’t understand their situation
Social institutions reinforce work ethic
Those in the working class do not understand the degree to which they are being exploited. Further, social institutions reinforce the messages of the bourgeoisie in order to maintain a motivated workforce. If workers are told that hard work can lead to wealth and success, they’ll keep working and making a profit for the owners.
Korgen, Sociology in Action 1e. SAGE Publishing, 2019.
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Learning Objective: 2-3: What is a conflict perspective?
Those in the working class do not understand the degree to which they are being exploited. Further, social institutions reinforce the messages of the bourgeoisie in order to maintain a motivated workforce. If workers are told that hard work can lead to wealth and success, they’ll keep working and making a profit for the owners.
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Understanding the Conflict Theoretical Perspective
Karl Marx and Socialism
Socialism is the next stage of development
Proletariat revolution leads to socialism
More economic equality between classes
Korgen, Sociology in Action 1e. SAGE Publishing, 2019.
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Learning Objective: 2-3: What is a conflict perspective?
Socialism is the ninth stage of societal development. Once the proletariat realize the degree of their exploitation, they will rise up and revolt. This will lead to a socialist society where the government gradually takes over the means of production. It will take several generations before this stage is complete.
Inequalities will still exist, but they won’t be nearly as bad as what currently exists. Workers will begin to understand their species being, and alienation will decrease.
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Conflict Theory
Socialism is the ninth stage of societal development. Once the proletariat realize the degree of their exploitation, they will rise up and revolt. This will lead to a socialist society where the government gradually takes over the means of production. It will take several generations before this stage is complete.
Inequalities will still exist, but they won’t be nearly as bad as what currently exists. Workers will begin to understand their species being, and alienation will decrease.
Korgen, Sociology in Action 1e. SAGE Publishing, 2019.
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Understanding the Conflict Theoretical Perspective
Karl Marx and Communism
Social institutions start disappearing
Society enters communist stage
All citizens are equal
Korgen, Sociology in Action 1e. SAGE Publishing, 2019.
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Learning Objective: 2-3: What is a conflict perspective?
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Conflict Theory
The root cause of most social problems is the inequitable distribution of goods and rewards. The haves use value coercion to force their values on the rest of society, helping to maintain the power differential.
Conflict theorists argue for rapid social change in order to reduce social inequalities. This perspective is unable to acknowledge those times in history where society is functioning rather well and rapid social change will be more harmful than good.
There are multiple theoretical perspectives under the conflict umbrella. These include critical feminist theories, critical race theories, and disability theories. More recent theories related to gender identity and sexuality can also be subsumed under the conflict perspective
Korgen, Sociology in Action 1e. SAGE Publishing, 2019.
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Understanding the Symbolic Interactionist Perspective
Micro level theoretical perspective
Development of self
Construction and reconstruction of meaning
Whereas the first two perspectives are macro in nature, symbolic interactionism is a micro level perspective. This helps bring balance to our theoretical understanding of how the world works.
Korgen, Sociology in Action 1e. SAGE Publishing, 2019.
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Learning Objective: 2-4: What is symbolic interactionism?
Whereas the first two perspectives are macro in nature, symbolic interactionism is a micro level perspective. This helps bring balance to our theoretical understanding of how the world works.
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Understanding the Symbolic Interactionist Perspective
The Social Construction of Reality
How culture is created
Shared interactions
Role of primary socialization
This perspective significantly deviates from the prior two perspectives. “Reality” is constructed through social interaction. We define what is “real” in society. Socialization helps reinforce these beliefs.
Korgen, Sociology in Action 1e. SAGE Publishing, 2019.
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Learning Objective: 2-4: What is symbolic interactionism?
This perspective significantly deviates from the prior two perspectives. “Reality” is constructed through social interaction. We define what is “real” in society. Socialization helps reinforce these beliefs.
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Understanding the Symbolic Interactionist Perspective
The Social Construction of Reality: Looking-glass Self
Role of others in one’s development
Reacting to feedback
Influence of primary groups
Children rely on feedback from others to understand themselves. Behaviors that are ”good” receive positive feedback, while behaviors that are “bad” receive negative feedback. The same holds true for how we dress, what activities we pursue, how well we do in school, and so forth. How we are is constantly subjected to feedback from others, and that helps us understand who we are.
Korgen, Sociology in Action 1e. SAGE Publishing, 2019.
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Learning Objective: 2-4: What is symbolic interactionism?
Children rely on feedback from others to understand themselves. Behaviors that are ”good” receive positive feedback, while behaviors that are “bad” receive negative feedback. The same holds true for how we dress, what activities we pursue, how well we do in school, and so forth. How we are is constantly subjected to feedback from others, and that helps us understand who we are.
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Understanding the Symbolic Interactionist Perspective
The Social Construction of Reality: Dramaturgy
Social actors, social scripts, props
Front stage and back stage
Presentation of self
Korgen, Sociology in Action 1e. SAGE Publishing, 2019.
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Learning Objective: 2-4: What is symbolic interactionism?
Developed by Erving Goffman, he studied the dynamics of social interaction. This included the individuals, rules of interaction, materials used, and the setting. Further, in ”front stage” settings, it is important for individuals to engage in “presentation of self” tactics in order to help control the message(s) they give to other people. Goffman also argued that it’s important to have the back stage separate so people have a place to relax and be themselves.
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Symbolic Interactionism
Developed by Erving Goffman, he studied the dynamics of social interaction. This included the individuals, rules of interaction, materials used, and the setting. Further, in ”front stage” settings, it is important for individuals to engage in “presentation of self” tactics in order to help control the message(s) they give to other people. Goffman also argued that it’s important to have the back stage separate so people have a place to relax and be themselves.
Korgen, Sociology in Action 1e. SAGE Publishing, 2019.
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Understanding the Symbolic Interactionist Perspective
What Symbolic Interactionism Doesn’t See: Social Constructionism
Combine social interactionism and conflict theory
Construction of social stratification
Social interactions can cause change
Social constructionism combines a macro theory (conflict) to a micro theory and provides another interpretation of the social world. Using the principles of how reality is constructed, it allows us to understand how social institutions are socially constructed as well.
Korgen, Sociology in Action 1e. SAGE Publishing, 2019.
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Learning Objective: 2-4: What is symbolic interactionism?
Social constructionism combines a macro theory (conflict) to a micro theory and provides another interpretation of the social world. Using the principles of how reality is constructed, it allows us to understand how social institutions are socially constructed as well.
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Full Theoretical Circle
Small groups creates norms
Social institutions created out of interaction
Institutions shape society
Power differences ultimately created
How do structural functionalism, conflict perspectives, and symbolic interactionism work together to help us get a more complete view of reality?
Korgen, Sociology in Action 1e. SAGE Publishing, 2019.
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Learning Objective: 2-5: How do structural functionalism, conflict perspectives, and symbolic interactionism work together to help us get a more complete view of reality?
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