Theoretical Perspectives
Learning Target: To distinguish the
concepts and differences by compare
the four perspectives sociologist use
to view our social world and apply
these perspectives to a sociological
problem
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
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.
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
• 47% Hispanic
52% White
Some other must knows
• Private troubles vs. Public Issues
• Macro sociology vs. Micro Sociology
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
• Keep in mind- a change in one element will lead
to changes in other parts
Structural-Functionalist Perspective
Functional or dysfunctional
Manifest function vs. latent function
Social pathology vs. social disorganization
(anomie)
(normlessness)
Structural-Functionalist Perspective
• Let’s try an example
• Internet
–Identify the manifest function vs.
latent function
–Identify the functional vs.
dysfunctional
Structural-Functionalist Perspective
• Identify manifest functions and latent
functions which are 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. multicultural
theory
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.
• Learning Theory “social constructionism”interpret the social world around them
*social creation, you are what you are around
Symbolic Interactionist
• Why did 13 out of 16 students
admit they have cheated on a test
Feminist Approach
“gender-conflict”
• Men have a position of power over women
• Gender inequality