- Published: November 15, 2022
- Updated: November 15, 2022
- University / College: Birkbeck, University of London
- Level: Secondary School
- Language: English
- Downloads: 38
Sociological Perspectives Sociological Perspectives Sociological perspectives are in important in explaining and understanding social phenomena.
Conflict perspective
Conflict perspective is the view that conflicts are the main element of social life and that they determine the distribution of power and resources, and the direction of social change. An example of the manifestation of this perspective is the view that there is imminent clash of interests between employees who work to earn a living in order to support themselves and their families, and employers who seek to advance the objectives of their organizations by making profit (Browne, 2011).
Interactionist perspective
The interactionist perspective explains that social life involves multiple interactions from which individuals create and maintain impressions of themselves, a sense of self and constructs the reality of a given situation. An example of this perspective is the observation of a person who is husband and father at home, a boss at work, and a customer in the bank, and in all these situations, the same person is treated differently and conducts himself accordingly (Adorno, 2002).
Functionalist perspective
The functionalist perspective is the understanding of society as an embodiment of many separate but interdependent parts that have functions, which contribute to the stability of the whole. For example, the family produces new members of the society and cooperates with school to socialize them into the acceptable ways of life. The state receives funds from the family and uses them to facilitate provision of education and other services such as health care (Browne, 2011).
Social problem
Finally, when groups and individuals have considerably strong power, they facilitate the definition of a situation in the society as a social problem and less power makes it difficult to achieve the same. This is because strong power enables groups and individuals to garner support and foster consensus that the said situation is violating their fundamental beliefs and values (Adorno, 2002).
References
Adorno, T. (2002). Introduction to sociology. Stanford: Stanford University Press.
Browne, K. (2011). An introduction to sociology. Cambridge, UK; Malden, MA: Polity Press.
