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Macro Sociology: Considering Major Perspectives: Functionalism/Conflict

This document summarizes key perspectives in macro sociology - functionalism and conflict theory. It discusses Plato's view that human beings are social organisms that survive in ordered societies. Functionalism views society as a system of interrelated parts that maintains balance and harmony, while conflict theory sees society as marked by inequality and conflict between groups competing for power and resources. The document compares the strengths and limitations of each perspective in explaining social order, stability, and change.

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63 views17 pages

Macro Sociology: Considering Major Perspectives: Functionalism/Conflict

This document summarizes key perspectives in macro sociology - functionalism and conflict theory. It discusses Plato's view that human beings are social organisms that survive in ordered societies. Functionalism views society as a system of interrelated parts that maintains balance and harmony, while conflict theory sees society as marked by inequality and conflict between groups competing for power and resources. The document compares the strengths and limitations of each perspective in explaining social order, stability, and change.

Uploaded by

michaelbandoo
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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MACRO SOCIOLOGY

CONSIDERING MAJOR PERSPECTIVES: FUNCTIONALISM/CONFLICT


e-Tutor: Dr.Yvonne Bobb-Smith

PLATOS BASIC ASSUMPTIONS


HUMAN BEINGS ARE ORGANISMS ORGANISMS TEND TO SURVIVE HUMAN BEINGS SURVIVE IN GROUPS HUMAN BEINGS ARE SOCIAL BEINGS AS SOCIAL BEINGS, THEY LIVE IN AN ORDERED SOCIETY THE ORDERED SOCIETY IS KNOWABLE
(Adapted from Roland K. Bolender 2005)

MACROSOCIOLOGY
IS BASED ON THE NOTION THAT AN ORDERED SOCIETY IS KNOWABLE IS BASED ON THE THOUGHT SOCIOLOGY IS A SCIENCE

SOCIOLOGY IS A SCIENCE
IT IS ABLE TO
CHECK DATA COLLECT AND CRITICISE FACTS TRY TO GENERALIZE

IT CAN PROVIDE EMPIRICAL PROOF IT CAN HELP WITH AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE UNIVERSE IN A CAREFUL AND DISCIPLINED MANNER

MACRO SOCIOLOGY PERSPECTIVES


FOCUS ON THE SOCIAL WORLD FUNCTIONALISM
IS SOCIETY A SYSTEM? COMTE WHAT ARE WE?- DURKHEIM, SPENCER

CONFLICT
WHY IS THERE INEQUALITY?- MARX, MILIBAND

A FEW STRENGTHS IN FUNCTIONALISM


THE INDIVIDUAL HAS AN INTEGRAL LINK WITH SOCIETY THE SOCIETY IS A SYSTEM OF INTERRELATED FACTS SOCIAL FACTS ARE THE BASIS OF SOCIAL ORDER CHANGE IN SOCIETY IS GRADUAL AND ACHIEVED WITH CONSENSUS

FUNCTIONALISM
Society is a set of interrelated parts; cultural consensus exists and leads to social order; natural state of society-balance and harmony (Mooney, Knox, & Schacht, 1997, p. 18).

The Paradigms, Perspectives, and Theories of Sociology StructuralFunctionalism


Primary theorist for this paradigm/perspectiv e
Emile Durkheim

1858-1917

(Ronald K. Bender, 2005)

YET, FUNCTIONALISM
IGNORES DIVISIVENESS

SEES INEQUALITY AS INHERENT (WEBER) THINKS INEQUALITY CONTRIBUTES TO ORDER

HOWEVER, CONFLICT THEORY


ASKS
WHY IS THERE INEQUALITY? WHAT INFLUENCES IT? IS IT INHERENT IN SOCIAL ORGANIZATION? WHO, OR WHAT PERPETUATES IT? HOW DOES IT AFFECT THE INDIVIDUAL?

The Paradigms, Perspectives, and Theories of Sociology Conflict


Primary theorist for this paradigm/perspectiv e
Karl Marx
1818-1883

(Ronald K. Bolender 2005)

IMPORTANT CONCEPT CONFLICT THEORY


Views society as marked by conflicts due to inequalities of class, race, ethnicity, gender, age, and other divisions that produce conflicting values. Defines social problems as conditions that do not conform to society's values (Kornblum, Julian, & Smith, 1998, p. 8).

IMPORTANT CONCEPT CONFLICT THEORY


People are inherently good but are corrupted by society and its economic structure; institutions are controlled by groups with power; order is part of the illusion (Mooney, Knox, & Schacht, 1997, p. 18).

EFFECT OF CONFLICT THEORY


CAN EXPLAIN THE REASONS FOR CONFLICT AND CHANGE MORE READILY YET, IT CAN SOMEWHAT OBJECTIFY INTERACTIONS OF GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS

SUMMARY POINTS
SOCIOLOGY IS INTEGRAL TO UNDERSTANDING HUMAN BEINGS, AS HUMAN BEINGS ARE INEXTRICABLY LINKED TO SOCIETY. SOCIAL ORGANIZATION PUTS HUMAN LIVES INTO CONTEXT, BECAUSE INDIVIDUAL INHERIT SOCIAL INTERACTIONS AND SOCIAL PATTERNS. HOW CAN WE USE MACRO SOCIOLOGY PERSPECTIVES TO CONFIGURE SOCIETY/INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY?

FINALLY
THIS PRESENTATION INTENDS TO
(A) MAKE SOME POINTS MEMORABLE (B) ALLOW YOU TO CREATE SOME DISCUSSION (C) TEST YOUR OWN KNOWLEDGE (D)ASK QUESTIONS THANK YOU! MUCHAS GRACIAS!

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