Conceptualization of Behavior in Society to Interpret Social Perspectives - Essay Example

Guideline In sociology, there are three important perspectives used by sociologist when analyzing the behavior of individuals in the society. The conceptualization of behavior in society is subject to interpretation of social perspectives. The perspectives are conflict theory, symbolic interactionism and structural functionalism. The following three scholars and theorists have been associated with the development of social perspectives Karl Max, Emile Durkheim and Max Weber. The three categories of social perspectives fall under two social patterns or also known as levels, which are either a micro or a macro. This paper will provide a discussion of the three sociological perspectives. Generally, the discussion will include a comparison/contrast and the applications of the three sociological perspectives. Symbolic Interactionism The first sociological perspective discussed in this paper will be symbolic interactionism. This sociological theory entails evaluating oneself through the conduct of peers. Max Weber was the first person to advance this theory. Symbolic interactionism proposes that individuals in the society maximize the use of symbols to portray their experiences to others. This perspective falls under the micro-level, in that, it analyzes patterns in social interaction that are of small scale. Face to face, interactions are symbols through which individuals communicate with in this type of perspective. There is an assertion that through this perspective, individuals will be bound to append past or present significant events to certain symbols and most importantly, the individual’s actions follow their personal interpretation of those symbols. The definition of relationships is possible through symbolic interaction. An individual’s behavior is subject to how one defines peers and most importantly how defines himself and this is analyzed by symbolic interactionism. This interactionist perspective has a deep focus on verbal as a form of conversation; the verbal words through which individuals communicate with are the sole symbols. Critics of symbolic interactionism have the suggestion that in this theory emphasis on the macro level of the society is not considered. In this theory, emphasis is laid on symbolism instead of the meaning of that symbol (Kendall 410). Structural Functionalism The second sociological perspective is the functional analysis also known as functionalist perspective. According to this particular theory, sociologists assert that the society is a one large piece that is further held together with other smaller independent pieces that function together. The independence of different aspects in our society contributes to a society’s whole functioning. It falls under the macro level. This perspective was widely associated by the renowned sociologist who goes by the name Emile Durkheim. According to this theory, even if the society functions closely to each other, different groups of people are prone to conduct different activities at a higher rate than the way others would. A good understanding of functional analysis occurs when it is broken-down into two types, which are mechanical and organic solidarity. The first type, which is mechanical solidarity, occurs through individuals working together since they have common goals and values and on the process, a social cohesion is built. The second type, which is organic solidarity, is usually in most cases experienced in industrialized and urbanized societies. This type of social cohesion involves a society in which people are interdependent but at the same time, they engage in a variety of beliefs, values and job occupation. Taking the example of religion, it will exist in a society for the reason that a particular religious institution is essential for the development and survival of the whole society. This particular theory has received criticisms by some theorists that it does not focus on the negative events that occur to individuals in the society. The theory also has not put emphasis on dynamics and changes that are bound to occur in a normal society, that is, individuals in functionalism theory are not actively involved in changes in their immediate social environment. Even if change in the society can be regarded to be important, in functionalism theory it is uncalled for and problems in the society are solved naturally by the different parts in the independent society (Kendall 405). Conflict Theory The third perspective in this discussion is conflict theory and it is a macro level. The scholar Karl Marx is associated with many developments in this theory. Conflict theory takes into consideration the society and equality. This theory came about when Karl Marx was analyzing the struggles that occurred between classes in the society. Karl Marx noted that the difference between classes in the society came because of the unequal distribution of wealth and resources. The inequality resulted in a small group of individuals with wealth and resources controlling the many who had no wealth or resources. Conflict theories express the idea that the few rich and powerful individuals in the society in still social order to the many victims who are weak and strong. This theory puts a lot of consideration to conflicts, negativity and changes in the society. A point to note about conflict theory is the fact that it exists in a society in which there is a form of inequality in terms of gender, religion, race, economic or political. Conflict theorists go further to state that groups that go through inequality have divergent agendas and values, resulting in the competition between the groups. During the early development of this theory, Karl Marx had focused his studies on equality in the society and thus he came up with the statement that, there can only be harmony in the society if the existing wealth and resources are shared equally among individuals (Kendall 18). Comparison and Contrasting When comparing and contrasting the different sociological perspectives emphasis is put on the type of level and how the mentioned perspective analyzes the society. From the top functionalism and conflict theory compare in that, they are in the macro level, and they contrast with symbolic interactionism since it falls on the micro level. Symbolic interactionism focuses on the micro level that is, small scale symbols present in an individual’s environment which in turn overlooks on the larger issues such as the meaning portrayed by the symbols. Contrarily, functionalism and conflict theory, which are in the macro level, look at the whole society as a whole and interpretation of the society in large scale. Functionalism theorists have the assertion that in a society status quo is subject to be retained by members of the society and people in the society do not have to participate actively to change their environment. Contrarily, conflict perspective circulates its theory on the now and then changes experienced on the society, these changes come from the inequality that individuals experience in the society (Kendall 409). Application of Perspective Divorce is a social phenomenon experienced widely in the society. Functionalists suggest that divorce comes because of the one partner or both partners in a marriage falling short of fulfilling one or more duties of their marriage. Marriage is one of the institutions that form part of society according to functionalist perspective and individuals can be obligated to seek relationships in which they feel a stronger attraction. If in a marriage one of the partners feels a lesser bonding, then a functionalist will argue that, the individual will seek a new relationship with a stronger bonding. A new relationship in this case will come after a divorce. A functionalist will ask questions like, is the marriage contributing to the whole functioning of the society? Will divorce lead the individual to a new relationship or group with a stronger bonding? On the other hand, a conflict theorist views divorce to result from inequality in the marriage. One partner in the marriage is suppressed by the other partner, through this conflict is built and the status quo is overthrown (Kendall 19). Conclusion The understanding of how people in the society behave and relate to one another has been made easier by employing the three perspectives of sociology. An individual’s behavior and attitude from the primary settings (micro) of the home and the family is seen through employing symbolism interactionism. On the other hand, moving up the secondary settings of the society, better known as the macro, to types of perspectives the functionalism and conflict theory are employed by sociologists in view of understanding individuals and the whole society. Works Cited Kendall D. Sociology in Our Times: The Essentials. Sydeney: Cengage Learning, 2011. Print Read More