Social Institution: Health-care - Essay Example

Social - health-care The sociological theory of functionalism is regarded as one of the oldest theories of sociology. This theory isstill dominant. Its perspective is based on two emphases, namely the application of scientific methods to the objective and the use of analogies between the society as well as the individual organisms. The importance that is given to the scientific method here is based on a claim that the study of the social world can be studied in the same way as the physical world. The social world is considered by functionalists as objectively real. Moreover the theory also views that the study of the social world can be free of value because the investigators value will not interfere with the impartial search for social laws that oversee the behavior pattern of a social system. The theory of functionalism is closely associated with the ideas of Emile Durkheim, a French sociologist who is among the pioneers who used scientific as well as statistic research in sociological researches (FUNCTIONALISM). The second theory of social conflict is dependent on the ideas of Karl Marx. It gives importance to a materialistic interpretation of the history as well as includes a dialectical method used for analysis, a critical approach towards existing social commitments, and the last but not the least, a political program that may lead to revolution. The materialistic viewpoint of history is based on the assumption that the most important aspect of social life is work that people do. This is the work that is related for satisfying the basic necessities of life that includes food, shelter and clothing. According to Marx, work is always socially organized and the technology that is used in the production process will have a strong impact on each and every aspect of the society. Everything that has a value in the society is a result of human labor. Working men and women are making the society for their own existence (CONFLICT THEORY). The theory of interactionism was further developed by Karp and Yoels. This theory can be applied to every area of sociology. This theory clearly states that people make social constructions of reality. These are just interpretations of what actually happens in a society. According to symbolic interaction theory, interaction requires shared meanings of social conditions. When people make interpretation about events and contexts, they confer the actual meaning of their situations and react according to those interpretations. Interpretation made here is based on verbal and non verbal signals. The interaction theory emphasizes that racial distinctions are due to social definitions. It is more dependant on social definition than on biology. This theory does not deny the real world objectivity. It says that when meanings are shared, interaction is made possible (Ratcliff). Modern functionalism maintains that institutions, beliefs and morals of a society are interconnected. Therefore when one method is used to explain any one item, it relates to all. The impact of functionalism in the society can be clearly seen when functional requisites are met in order to maintain a society. Functions are performed by institutions for satisfaction of their needs which is of at most importance for the survival. A functionalist has to draw analogies between the biological organism and the social system for the purpose of viewing societies that are made up of different types of component parts. The interrelation in societies helps in the preservation of the whole system and also helps to focus on the difficulty of order specifying forces that brings cohesion, integration as well as balance to the society (Burnham). Functional theory is regarded as one of the central sociological theory which is concerned with the explanation of large scale social structures and relationships. The main aim of functionalists is to explain why certain conditions exist in society. Functionalist theory directly makes an impact on the institution. It examines how things are worked for the purpose to meet the needs of the people. But the approach of the functionalist theory which is related to wards creating a consensus is truly contrasted with the conflict theory. The conflict theory emphasizes on with the struggle and strain within the society by different groups. The functionalist theory explains why a social institution takes a definite importance for structure in a given society. It is based on the assumption that for something to exist, it must have a definite purpose in the society. The impact of the functionalist theory is in such a way that each social institution examines its connectivity in the society and adapts itself to changes (Functionalism (sociology).). There is a long standing inability in sociology to combine the various theories. Namely, functionalist theory and the conflict theory. The conflict theory gives importance to ideas whereas it is not as important as in the case of human competition. Here social structures are primary and values and ideas are considered secondary. Conflict theory gives importance to power struggle of groups. Values and ideas are just an extension of the power struggle. According to the conflict theory the power struggle goes on continuously. There are every day battles going on to determine whose values as well as ideas are accepted in a social institution. The values of the most powerful group dominate in the institution. In every society the dominant group prevails over others. In a social institution, several groups particularly minority groups are under represented in the channels of power sharing. Conflict theory stresses that under different groups in an institution; the group having dominant power will only survive and creates a new social order. In fact the emphasis given in conflict theory to attain power is somewhat too brutal for a civilized social institution. The idea is a bit illogical. In its place a good and efficient social control system will be more appropriate. A good social control system can be used appropriately in reducing conflict between different groups and factions. The idea of consensuses can be applied very effectively in any social institution with at most effect. The social conflict theory is regarded as the primary or most important theory because social conflict is considered as the primary force in a social institution. Every social institution can be readily understood about the fact that which group holds power in it. Those groups who hold power determines the structure of the institution on the basis of the social structures, politics, values and ideas. The impact of conflict theory in an institution is in such a way that structure comes first and values, beliefs comes only second. Values and beliefs are regarded as very important components in the system. The structural and functional model is used by power groups to control the institution. The concept of equilibrium which is a tool of the functionalists can also be applied in conflict theory with much effectiveness. Equilibrium is present in every sociological institution. This is because the power groups make sure that various parts of the social institution combine to achieve equilibrium as a whole. There is no natural equilibrium. The equilibrium is forcefully enforced by the groups holding the power. The equilibrium is considered as the end result of the total amount of conflict prevailing in the society. The impact of conflict theory in a sociological institution will be in the following manner. Different groups of people become the dominant groups in the institution due to the natural working out of different types of demographic variables that includes race, ethnic, class as well as other regional variables. However what ever may be the dominant group, it takes all necessary measures to ensure that the dominant group always stays dominant (COMBINING CONFLICT AND CONSENSUS THEORY). The theory of functionalism is a macro level analysis theory this theory focuses on the methods people use to come together to create a society. The theory also concentrates to examine whether the actions of the people are really good for creating equilibrium. These actions are referred as functions. This theory also focuses on certain facts that undermine the equilibrium which are called as dysfunctions. Whereas the conflict theory does not see the society as a whole that comes together very well for one purpose. This theory mainly focuses on class conflict. The basis of this theory is that there is bitter conflict between the capitalists and the workers in search of power. The functionalist theory and conflict theory are macro level theories. Symbolic interaction theory is micro level analysis theory (Similarities and differences between functionalism and conflict theory). The theory of conflict is regarded as the pervasive part of the group as well as the organizational culture. Conflict which is unmanaged is chaotic. Therefore the goal of a person or a group in a social institution is not to be necessarily avoiding conflicts, but use conflict as a positive force. When conflict increases, there arises the need of leadership. Leader is inevitable in a group or in a social institution. When conflict increases the role and responsibility of the leader also increases. Conflict and leadership are inseparable. Therefore the views of an individual in a social organization should be focused on to make conflict a tool as well as a motivational factor to create a positive and favorable atmosphere (Rashid. 2005). The theory of interactionism is an excellent theory that can be used in an educational institution with favorable effect. The theory can be used for the benefit of student’s educational gains. Interaction process helps the individual to attain good quality. Therefore each and every individual should encourage interactionism so that the benefits could be shared by everyone. More over by encouraging interaction in an institution the cognitive and affective outcomes can be facilitated. Lack of interaction could worsen a person’s ambitions and educational experiences. A person should use the theory of interaction for his overall intellectual development (The Impact of Student-Faculty Interactions. 2007). The theory of functionalism is a consensus theory. It is based on the assumption that different parts of the society work together to keep the society moving. A functionalist should always believe in meritocracy. The theory promulgates the fact that interrelationship exists between different components in a society. An individual who uses the theory of functionalism should believe that a social system is a functional unity in which all parts of the system work harmoniously together. A person should draft his actions on the basis of coordination and cooperation. An individual part of an educational institution should recognize the fact that socializing plays an important role in determining the industrial as well as cultural needs of a person (functionalism and Marxism). An individual is born in an ongoing social system. The system exists independently and affects the behavior of the person. Each and every individual acts according to the scripts given by the society. All actions and roles of the individual are shaped by values; institutions and culture. Societies always determine human behavior. The theory of functionalism designs harmonious picture social relationships. The theory of functionalism emerged as a result of a crisis of social order. This theory gained significance because of a social change that was taking place in the 19th century. The society was identified as a unit having different types of basic needs. The approach in the theory of functionalism is to look at the society as a whole rather than looking separately at individuals. Functionalism encouraged social changes in an institution with more effect because of the fact that everything is possible only through proper socialization (Carpinelli. 2008). Theories that emphasize the social conflict are dependent on the ideas of Karl Marx. This theory also gained much significance due to the emergence of a new social order. The change was somewhat violent and use of force was not prohibited. The social conflict theory takes a critical stand towards existing social arrangements prevailing in an institution. It gives importance to revolutions and reforms in the society which in turn will be absorbed by the institution. The social conflict theory has an unalterable logic of history. It opposes the capitalist criteria and gives more importance to class struggle and emergence of the working class. The theory has an implied belief that social theory and political practices are dialectically intertwined (CONFLICT THEORY).   Symbolic interactionism was a theory which was developed as an alternative to functionalism. The theory emphasizes that social interaction is truly symbolic and social reality is created by the people. This theory will effect the social changes taking place in an institution on the concept that social reality is different from natural reality. This is because it is symbolic as well as socially constructed (Preston. 2000). The theory of functionalism makes law like generalizations which are used for explaining as well as predicting social phenomena. The main idea of functionalist theory is that it considers that each culture can be viewed as a system that includes other elements which can function together or separately (Functionalism). Like the functionalistic theory, the social conflict theory also the society as a system that have social structures. However the purpose of these structures are diffeerent than that of the functionalistic theory (Functional and Conflict Theory: A point of view). The basic fundamental character of the interactive theory suggests that self reflects the society. There is also organizing of behavior as well as related imagery that address the society’s nature and the human beings. It also measures the relationship between human action and interaction as well as between the society and the person (Symbolic Interaction Theory). Emphasis of the functionalistic theory on values and cohesion created the atmosphere to show that how the functionalists should approach an educational or social institution. Under the functionalistic point of view, it is necessary to create structures that are advanced, rational and promotes social unity (Levinson, Cookson, Sadovnik p268) . The concept of social conflict theory states that there should be adoption of new beliefs and giving up of current beliefs. This includes training as well as teaching new skills and theories. It also requires application of these skills in the life of the individual (Paranika & Fuchs. 2001). The three theories of sociology namely functionalism, conflict and interaction are three different schools of thought. However the theory of interaction can be viewed as a follow up of the theory of functionalism. These theories present different points for presenting large scale social structures. Under the perspectives of these theories, each theory performs its own function and has its own assumptions. The theory of functionalist is acceptable to some but to others the theory of conflict will be suited. There are different viewpoints on these theories. Last but not the least these theories should be viewed just as theories of sociology that were formulated with a view to broaden the outlook of individuals and the society as well as to encourage social changes whenever necessary. These theories should not be treated as the last resort in solving social problems but rather treated with theoretical optimism in solving social anxieties. These theories should be used as a promotional tool that promotes values, ideas, etc that is beneficial to the society. Reference: Burnham,P. functionalism. (online). Available;http://www.answers.com/topic/functionalism-anthropology CONFLICT THEORY. (online). Available:http://web.grinnell.edu/courses/soc/s00/soc111-01/IntroTheories/Conflict.html COMBINING CONFLICT AND CONSENSUS THEORY. (online). Available:http://www.vernonjohns.org/vernjohns/sthunity.html Carpinelli,C.2008. SYSTEMS APPROACH AND SOCIAL ACTION APPROACH ARE TWO SIDES OF THE SAME COIN. (online). Available:http://en.allexperts.com/q/Sociology-1644/2008/9/INDUSTRIAL-RELATIONS-CLASS.htm functionalism and Marxism. (online). Available:http://www.studyzones.com/exchange/view/9110CADA-B0D0-49C8-DF30259A6EB44351/functionalism-and-marxism.html Functionalism. (online).Available:http://www.revision-notes.co.uk/revision/624.html Functionalism (sociology). (online). Available:http://www.answers.com/topic/functionalism-anthropology Functional and Conflict Theory: A point of view. (online). Available:http://www.helium.com/items/779460-functional-and-conflict-theory-a-point-of-view?page=2 FUNCTIONALISM. (online). Available:http://web.grinnell.edu/courses/soc/s00/soc111-01/IntroTheories/Functionalism.html Levinson,D, Cookson,P.W, Sadovnik,A.R.2002. Education and Sociology: An Encyclopedia.pp268. London: Taylor & Francis Paranika,K & Fuchs,T. 2001. Training Orientation and Conflict Theory: Transforming Our Understanding of Conflict. (online). Available:http://www.mediate.com/articles/Paranica.cfm Preston,C.2000. Social Continuity and Change, and Social Theory. (online). Available:http://www.ptc.nsw.edu.au/scansw/preston.html Rashid,J. 2005. Leadership Development: Conflict Management for College Student Leaders. (online). Available:http://www.mediate.com/articles/rashidJ1.cfm Ratcliff, D. Creation, Redemption and SoclologicaI Theory. (online). Available:http://www.creationism.org/csshs/v10n4p14.htm Symbolic Interaction Theory. (online). Available:http://www.bookrags.com/research/symbolic-interaction-theory-eos-05/ Similarities and differences between functionalism and conflict theory?. (online). Available:http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071003144101AAuLHUj The Impact of Student-Faculty Interactions. 2007. (online). Available:http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-6570592/Do-interracial-interactions-matter-An.html Read More