Sociological Perspectives Comparison - Essay Example

Lecturer’s Due Sociological Perspectives Introduction Sociological theories provide us with different perspectives with which people view the social world. Perspective is a virtual action, which refers to how people see or think about the world. Theories consist of a set of interrelated principles that try to explain a definite phenomenon; it gives human beings a perception. Sociology contains three major theoretical perspectives which include the functionalist perspective, conflict perspective and interactionist perspective. The discussion below indulges a contrast of the three perspectives and how to apply them in marriage and family. Image Towards the Society The functionalist theory developed majorly by Herbert Spencer, Emile Durkheim, Robert Merton and Talcott Parsons, views the society as one major organ system that depends on the functionality of the various organs in the system. According to functionalism, the society is a system of interrelated sections that work together harmoniously to retain a state of equality and balance. For example, the family participates in the reproduction and nurturing of children. Second, education and school contributes towards offering knowledge and societal skills to the kids. Third, politics grants a way of governing members of the society. Finally religion provides spiritual and moral education. The conflict perspective, which owes much of its contribution to Karl Marx, views the society as different groups that possess distinct interests. It is similar to the functionalist perspective in that they both identify the society as a constellation of diverse groups. However, they both differ in terms of interest; the conflict perspective states that distinguished groups have different interests, but the functionalist theory assumes that all groups have a universal desire. Additionally, the conflict perspective believes that human beings compete for power and resources. For example, in the feminism theory, the society argues that men lead while women follow (Mooney 1). As functionalist and conflict perspectives care about the broader society, the symbolic interactionist perspective mainly concentrates with the individual. Functionalist and conflict perspectives are part of macro sociology, but interactionist perspective lies under micro social sociology. The theory mostly owes its work to George Herbert Mead, Charles Cooley and George Simmel. The interactionist states that an individual’s behavior depends on the meanings created through symbolic interaction in the society. Sociologist Thomas W. I. stressed on the importance of definitions and meanings in cultural behavior and the penalties (Mooney 2). The Image on Social Change According to Talcott Parsons contribution in the functionalist perspective, the society is in an ordinary state of balance. He further carries on explaining that any form of gradual alteration such as technology, population growth and industrial, which is necessary, stands as an advantage to the society. However, sudden social change in the society is undesirable and may disrupt the natural equilibrium state. Whereas the functionalist theory believes that the natural state of equilibrium is desirable and sudden social change makes it undesirable, the conflict theory believes that the status quo is bad. Therefore, the conflict perspective sees sudden social change, in the form of revolution or protests, as an advantageous and necessary in order to decrease or terminate social inequality. That allows the society to focus on other social problems. At a micro sociology level, the symbolical interactionist perspective focuses on how set symbols in the society affect human behavior. Human beings have different meanings and definitions for different things; therefore social change also varies depending on the meaning of the symbolical change. It can either be good or bad contingent on how an individual interprets the change. Contrast to the macro sociology perspectives, which fully define social change as either desirable or undesirable, interactionist theory assumes that the goodness or badness depends on the human being. Fundamental Elements What are the disparities or similarities of the elements found in the three perspectives? Based on the functionalist perspective, there are two key elements in the society, functional elements and dysfunctional elements. Functional elements are those that contribute towards the desirable equilibrium state. Sociologists further divide functional elements into two; manifest and latent. Manifest functions possess intended outcomes such as taking a child to school in order to gain education. Whereas, latent functions refer to unintended consequences such as the service of babysitting children at elementary school even if education was the main intention. Dysfunctional elements refer to components of the society that lead the disruption of the state of equilibrium, which is undesirable. Such elements include crime and other forms of human rights violation (Mooney 1). In the conflict perspective, there are a number of key elements. First, the society consists of assorted social groups based on gender, social class and sexual orientation, which is similar to the functionalist perspective. Second, each group has different meanings of right and wrong thus leading to diverse interests, which differs to that of the functionalist perspective. Finally, the symbolic interactionist perspective holds three elements. The three elements mostly focus on the individual unlike in the other two theories that concentrate on the society. These elements include meaning, language, and notion. Meaning explains that people treat others depending on meanings they give to the subjects. On the other hand, languages give human beings a way to communicate and negotiate the meaning of a particular symbol. Finally, thought aids at interpreting symbols, by each individual. Sociology credits the origin of the functionalist perspective to French sociologist Emile Durkheim between 1857 and 1917. The view reflects upon how modern, secular capitalists managed to stay stable despite the decline of the church. In the European revolution era, as people were shifting to modernity, rules and laws helped in holding people together. The sociologist viewed the world as one major system that required the synchronous functioning of dissimilar organs in order to develop one main goal. On the other hand, Karl Marx developed the conflict perspective during the industrial and agricultural evolution in the east and west. Concerns about survival, led by the need to make profits and capitalization, contributed towards the development of the conflict theory. Finally, the interactionist theory, developed in the latter part of the twentieth century, explains the individual behavior. The perception’s origin is North America, where sociologists aimed at describing how meanings influence human behavior (Kendall, 77). APPLICATION Family in Functionalist Perspective At a functionalist perspective, a sociologist should ask how the society views marriage. Second, how does the family relate to groups of the society? Finally, how does it participate in the wellbeing of the society? These are some of the features about the family a sociologist should have great concern for. During the investigation, the sociologist needs to observe and read on some of the elements of the family, its roles to the society and how it aids towards the societal growth. How does the society view the family at a functionalist level? The family is a universal organ that fulfills several needs such as economic production, socialization of children, recreation, sexual control and care. All these stand as basic needs towards the survival of every society. On the other hand, at a dysfunctional level, the nuclear family leads to emotional overload since; there are few members to count for support. The family provides the society with the basic tools for survival. Conflict Perspective How does conflict rise in the family? How does conflict affect the family? In what ways doe family conflicts affect the society? These are some of the research questions a sociologist should ask while conducting the study. One of the major aspects concerned with the conflict perspective includes inequalities within the family especially, the subservience of women. Through observation and secondary research that includes reading past studies a sociologist can gather adequate information on family. At a conflict perspective, the society sees women in the family as the group that struggles doing the housework. Men do not appreciate handling a large portion of the household duties. Additionally, the man in the family is the head and he provides all the rules needed. He is the top decision maker. In the family men position themselves above women (Quah 53). Symbolic Interactionist According to interactionist perspective, the sociologist needs to examine how different experiences are between a husband and the wife. The main hypothesis should enquire about the various life experiences between the couple. Take the example of a husband’s and wife’s earnings. In the case where a husband and wife almost earn the same amount of money, they most likely share the housework equally. Second, when a man loses his job, he is less likely to do any housework. Finally, for a husband who earns less than the wife, the man does the least house work. In symbolic interactions, a man who has lost his jobs does no housework as a way to protect his masculinity. Finally, men who do more housework than their wives are less likely to enjoy their marriage (Quah 56). From the discussion above, the three main perspectives possess different features. These differences depend on their view of the society, fundamental elements and their perception on social change. Additionally, in the application, sociologists explain how each angle views marriage and family. The sociological perspectives encourage people to examine aspects of the social environment and aid in studying the society. Work Cited Kendall, Diana Elizabeth. Sociology in our times: the essentials. 6th ed. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth, 2007. Print. Mooney, Linda A., David Knox, and Caroline Schacht. Understanding social problems. 5th ed. Belmont, CA: Thomson Higher Education, 2007. Print. Quah, Stella R.. The Family as an asset: an international perspective on marriage, parenthood, and social policy. Singapore: Times Academic Press, 1990. Print. Read More