Lecture note - Sociological Perspective

We studies major sociological perspectives - Functionalism. Conflict theory and Interventionism

Functionalist Perspective
- Emphasizes the way that parts of a society are structured to maintain its stability.
Views society as a vast network of connected parts, each of which helps to maintain the system as a whole.
- Each part must contribute or it will not be passed on from one generation to the next.

Under Functionalism, there are three category to mention
Functionalist Perspective
- Manifest Function: institutions are open, stated, conscious functions.
・They involve the intended, recognized, consequences of an aspect of society.
e.g. police- to maintain the social order
      School - to educate population

- Latent Functions: unconscious or unintended functions.
・It may reflect hidden purposes of an institution.
e.g. School – to find the partner

-Dysfunction: an element or a process of society that may actually disrupt a social system or lead to a decrease in stability.
e.g. Festival – to cause traffic jam

      Gang group inside prison 

Conflict Perspective

・Assumes that social behavior is best understood in terms of conflict or tension between competing groups.

・Conflict is not necessarily violent.

・Conflict can be over economics or over competing values.

・Conflict can be the motivation to move our society.

Interactionist Perspective

・Generalizes about everyday forms of social interaction in order to understand society as a whole.

・Interactionism is a sociological framework for viewing human beings as living in a world of meaningful objects. These “objects” may include material things, actions, other people, relationships, and even symbols.