Sociological
Perspective
Chapter
One
Sociological Theory
A theory is a statement of
how and why specific facts
are related.
The goal of sociological
theory is to explain social
behavior in the real world.
Question
What is a paradigm?
Answer
A paradigm is… an example
that serves as a pattern or
model for something, based
on a theory
A viewpoint to have when
looking at a situation
3 Theoretical Paradigms
Sets of assumptions that guide
thinking and research.
Sociologists ask two basic
questions:
–What issues should we study?
–How should we connect the facts?
–They choose one of the theories
1. Structural-functional
Paradigm
Sees society as a complex
system whose parts work
together to promote stability.
–EX: Social Classes
–w/o one part, we
couldn’t have the others…
Structural Functional
What purpose or function does this serve?
How do all parts work together?
The function of a part is its contribution to
the system, and its effects on other parts
– Like the human body
The needs of society are to be identified
to then determine how the parts satisfy
the needs
Examining the
Structural Functional
Paradigm
…All parts of society work
together
Parts = Structure
Our lives are guided by
social structures -relatively
stable patterns of social
behavior. Parts of society
–EX: family, work, school
–Each S/S serves a purpose
Structures have Functions
social
functions
perform certain
tasks for the
operation of
society.
Like human body
or a machine
Basically, social
functions are
what the social
structure does
Yes, we are still under
Structural Functional

3 types of Functions
1)manifest functions: the
recognized and intended
results of any social pattern
–Obviously what you want to be
the result
–Example: Sports- increase skills
Manifest/Intended
Results
Types of Functions
2)latent functions: largely
unrecognized and
unintended results
–Skills and qualities gained by
accident or chance
–Example: Sports- teamwork,
responsibility
Latent/Unintended
Results
Manners
Teamwork
Social Functions
3)social dysfunctions,
undesirable consequences
of a social pattern for
society.
Examples:
–Disease
–unemployment
Now Switch Viewpoints…
Now lets take a look
nd
at the 2 paradigm or
viewpoint…
Social Conflict
Paradigm
2. Social-conflict Paradigm
Sees society
as an arena of
inequality that
generates
conflict and
change.
Social Conflict
Focus on conflict as inevitable part of
social life. Conflict is not necessarily a
negative aspect of society since it
produces social change
Society comprised of dominant and
inferior groups which compete for
resources –
– the have and the have nots
Who benefits at whose expense is the
question
Switch your point of view…
Now look at society with a new
set of eyes, or a new
paradigm…
Symbolic Interaction Paradigm
3. Symbolic Interaction
Paradigm
Sees society
is the product
of the
everyday
interactions of
individuals.
Symbolic Interaction
Focus is on how people themselves
define reality, how they make
sense of the world, how they
experience and define what people
are doing
Focus on meanings assigned to
actions and symbols, how
meanings are learned and modified
The Paradigms help
you view society in a
new perspective… or
a new picture
Seeing the “Picture” of Society
The structural-functional &
social-conflict paradigms
share a macro-level
orientation; focus on broad
social structures that
shape society as a whole.
– See society in a “big picture”
– Struct. Funct./Social Conflict
Seeing the “Picture” of Society
In contrast, symbolicinteraction has a micro-level
orientation; it focuses on
patterns of social interaction in
specific settings
–Sees the “small picture” of
society– Symbolic Interaction
Terms to know
Social Marginality: feeling like an outsider
– Ex: a kid who gets picked last in gym
Global perspective: how does the world
view the issue
Stereotype: a generalization about a
specific group
Review
3 paradigms
Many structures of Society
3 functions
2 views of society