Major Theoretical Perspectives of Sociology - lecture note

Here is the summery of my session. 

Functionalism
Parts of a society are structured to maintain its stability.
View of society: Stability 
Level of analysis: Macro
Key concepts: Manifest Function, Latent Function, Dysfunction
View of the individual: People perform to be a part of society 
View of the social order: Maintained through cooperation 

View of social change: Predictable

Example: Public punishments

Conflict Theory Social behavior is best understood in terms of conflict or tension between competing groups.

View of society: Struggle between groups 
Level of analysis: Macro
Key concepts:  Inequality, class, stratification  
View of the individual: People are shaped by power, coercion, and authority 
View of the social order:  Maintained through force and coercion 

View of social change: change takes place all the time

Example: These in power practice their power

Symbolic Interaction 

Human is symbol manipulating animal. 

View of society: Active in influencing and affecting everyday social interaction 
Level of analysis: Micro analysis but it can help to understand social phenomina
Key concepts: Symbols, Face-to-face interaction 
View of the individual: People manipulate symbols and create their social worlds through their interaction
View of the social order:  Maintained by shared shared understanding of everyday's behavior 

View of social change: Reflected in people’s social positions and their communications with others

Example: People respect laws or disobey them based on their own past experience