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

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

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

Symbolic Interactionist

• Why are people who live in Seattle so rude and materialistic?