Sociological
Perspectives
Professor Maggie Mendez
Introduction to Sociology
What is a Sociological
Perspective?


Tool for analyzing social life.
Level of analysis
•
•

Macro
Micro
Three major perspectives in Sociology
•
•
•
Functualist Perspective
Conflict Perspective
Symbolic Interaction Perspective
Functionalist Perspective
 Vision of Society
• A system of interrelated parts that function or
operate together harmoniously.
• Organism
• Social System
• Macro Perspective
Organism
 Society is viewed as
very similar to the
human body.
• Each part meets a
need in order to
maintain a normal
state of balance.
• Organs are viewed as
similar to social
systems.
4
Social Systems
 Interdependent network
of social institutions
(family, school, business,
religion, etc.) that shape
our live.
 Social system
contributes the stability
of society.
 Equilibrium
 Disequilibrium
5
Macro-level of Analysis
 Homelessness
• Examine how changes in parts of society
have increased homelessness.
Economy
Family
Conflict Perspective
 Vision of Society
• Society is constantly changing in response
to social inequality and conflict.
• Power struggle
• Social Change
 Macro Perspective
Power Struggle
Wealth, Power, Prestige
Resources, Control, Authority
Dominate
Groups
Subordinate
Groups
Various
groups are in
conflict to
compete
for
limited
resources,
control, or
authority.
8
Social Change
 Conflict is inevitable
and can be
beneficial.
 Leads to social
change.
 Example:
 Civil Rights
Movement
• Desegregation
Macro Level of Anaysis
 Homelessness
• Examine the struggle between social
classes.
Upper classes control the economy
Symbolic Interactionist
Perspective
 Vision of Society
• Focus on meanings that people place on
their own and one another’s behavior.
• Symbols
• Society is created through social interaction.
 Micro Perspective
Symbols
 People use symbols to
develop views about the
world and communicate
with one another.
 Define ourselves and
others
• Relationships
• Self-concept
 Social interactions
allows society to exist
Micro Level of Analysis
 Homelessness
• Analyze the culture and communication of
homeless people.
How do they survive?
How do they interact with one another in the
shelters and streets?
Summary and Review
Perspective
Level of Point of View
Analysis
Explaining the Homelessness
Functionalist
Marco
level
Various parts
of society are
interdependent
and related.
Examine how changes in parts of
society have increased
homelessness.
Conflict
Macro
level
Struggle for
scarce
resources by
groups in
society.
Examine the struggle between
social classes.
Symbolic
Micro
Interactionist level
How people use Analyze the culture and
symbols to
communication of homeless people.
create society.