Sociological Perspectives - Report Example

June 20, Sociological Perspectives The structural-functionalist perspective Sociology refers to how we see the world, society, and ourselves. This concept and this topic is wide area of study, but sociology can be modified into a few perspectives. Science is influenced by two functional beliefs such as that: (1) what we understand of knowledge is only provisional because it is presumed that knowledge can be expanded and (2) while we search for a more understanding of the nature of things (because this understanding is somewhat flawed) we should be willing to eloquently improve this understanding in order to reach that more sensible and more enlightening concept of theory (Powers 189). The structural functional perspective provides major emphasis to structural arrangements. Functionalism originated from the work of French sociologist Emile Durkheim and was developed in the United States during the forties up to the sixties. The significance of this perspective lies in the fact that it has produced ideas related to “much-common sense thinking about social issues (Willis 117). Functionalism has pessimistic presumptions for the individual, i.e. human nature is presumed “to be basically self-centered and irrational” (Willis 117). Society tends to influence this thinking by making the social order firm, logical, and pleasant, thus preventing the so-called “Hobbesian war of each against all” (Willis 117). This theory promotes the idea that society is not just the totality of its members and tackles individuals as an “objective reality”. This means individuals feel the restraining pressure of societal beliefs. The individual and society therefore has a problematic relationship. This is because society makes senselessness straightened and it is not the individuals that make social lives but are products of the external society or the outside world. Individuals make the most of everything upon the permission of society. Social change occurs gradually and through a process of evolution. In this perspective, individuals are related to society through the various roles that they portray. For example, we have different roles we fill in society: mothers “build” homes while fathers go to factories or the office to work; women can also fill roles as other men do, for example as leaders or managers of businesses; in the health profession, there is a patient and a physician; and in the educational system, there are students and professors. Interaction in society is governed by common values, like we interact “on the basis of a common value system” (Willis 118). The structural functionalist perspective has inspired my thinking of the roles that we play in life and my interaction with the external world. Before I was introduced into this perspective, I was in the belief that society must do something for us individuals because we are part of society and it will not function normally without us individuals. Now, this perspective has awakened my consciousness that man is basically irrational, sometimes naïve, but society influences our beliefs and makes us walk the way according to the roles we should play. If we divert from this role, or path, a problem will occur. An individual is not just a “mere” part of society but the individual has to interact and play his/her role. An insight I learned from this perspective is the tension created between an individual and society. We do not actively create our social lives but we are a product of society. Put it another way, it is not that we make society but that society makes us. Our relationship with society sometimes becomes problematic. This is because we are constantly being checked by the beliefs of society or the external world. If we go the other way, or if we do not play our part, there comes the problem and the tension. Sociological concepts that shaped my view of the social world Ethnocentrism is an interesting concept in sociology because this is one of the products of history. Racism is a manifestation of ethnocentrism. Racism refers to the belief that an ethnic group or race is superior to the others. Because of racism, the world practiced and produced slavery, apartheid and ethnic killing. Giddens (qtd. in Willis 65) indicated that ethnocentrism has been embedded in Western consciousness and a lot of other cultures. Peoples of these countries should be able to get away from the belief that their way of life is much superior than others. However, Western capitalism has made a large influence on other cultures that it has even destroyed most of the cultures it has come in contact with (Willis 66). On the other hand, multiculturalism came into the United States educational contexts when controversies occurred over the changing content of college English classes across different states. But multiculturalism became absorbed in the various controversies involving Marxism, feminism, and deconstructionist theories. Multiculturalism was not only confined to the cultural controversies involving English professors but it went beyond the national scene. It involved the problems of large ethnically diverse nations, in organizations and in workplaces. Multiculturalism refers to a mixture of different cultures. In the context of the organization, multiculturalism affects human resource management and the operations of global organizations. Culture influences strategy formulation which can impact most when strategy is most fluid. Managers are responsible for formulating strategies to accomplish organizational objectives in the global context. In determining the threats and opportunities for the organization, the influence of culture on the issues is most prevalent. Managers have to master the art of cultural integration. Cultural practices shape the existing structures of the organization and decision-making processes of managers. Another sociological concept is inevitability of conflict. Conflict can be defined as a process that starts when one group feels that another group has “negativity affected, or is about to negatively affect, something that the first party cares about” (Thomas qtd. in Robbins 384). There are two contrasting types of conflict. One states that conflict is an abnormality or something that is a social pathology. We can get away with conflict if we can provide everything that people needs. Conflicts can be termed as dysfunctional and does not provide improvement but conflict is not a foreseeable element of life. However, conflict can be considered dysfunctional only on certain circumstances and not on a long-term situation because it can even lead to development in society. There are times that conflict can lead to a solution over problematic situations. These three cited sociological concepts have broadened my views of the social world. First, ethnocentrism is one of those causes of ethnic genocide in some African countries or in the Third World. There are ethnic groups who believe that they are more superior than other ethnic groups and so they put up a process of “ethnic cleansing,” which is just short of saying that they have to kill those who do not belong to their race because its imperfection. The second sociological, multiculturalism, has enlarged my view of organisations and countries. With the rise and popularity of globalization, multiculturalism is very much present in the global organizations. Organizations have to adjust to their situation where there is a diversity of cultures. Global organizations have branches abroad and they have to train their managers and employees how to adjust with the culture of a foreign country. Multiculturalism affects human resources practices of an organization. Finally, the sociological concept on the inevitability of conflict is another interesting subject that needs further study. Conflict is not at all bad, as others might claim. In a dysfunctional conflict, managers may need to be well-versed with conflict management technique which provides major resolution and stimulation techniques that allow managers to control conflict levels. Works Cited Powers, Charles. Making sense of social theory: a practical introduction. Plymouth, United Kingdom: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc., 2010. Print. Robbins, Stephen. Organizational Behavior. 9th ed. 2001. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Print. Willis, Evan. The sociological quest: an introduction to the study of social life. 3rd ed. 1996. New Brunswick, New Jersey: Rutgers University Press. Print. Read More