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Theoretical Orientation
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Major Theoretical Perspectives
Obydullah Al Marjuk
Senior Lecturer (Sociology)
Independent University, Bangladesh
Major Theoretical Perspectives of Sociology
Sociologists view society differently. They have their own way of understanding society and its dynamics in a theoretical manner. There are three of these general perspectives in modern sociology.
Sociological Perspectives
The Functionalist Perspective
The
Functionalist
Think of society as living organism and each parts of the organism contributes to its survival.
The Conflict Perspective
The
Conflict
The conflict perspective assumes that social behavior is best understood in terms of conflict or tension between competing groups.
The Interactionist Perspective
The
Interactionist
Interactionist perspective generalizes about everyday forms of social interaction in order to understand society as a whole.
The Feminist Perspective
The
Feminist
The feminist perspective views inequity in gender as central to all behaviour and organization.
The Functionalist
Perspective
- Think of society as living organism and each parts of the organism contributes to its survival.
- Talcott Parsons (1902-1979), a Harvard University sociologist was key figure in the development of functionalist theory.
- He saw any society as a vast network of connected parts, each of which helps to maintain the system as a whole.
- This approach holds that if an aspect of social life does not contribute to a society’s stability, it will not be passed on from one generation to the next.
- Robert Merton made an important distinction between latent and manifest functions.
Functionalist Perspective
Manifest Functions
Manifest Functions are open, stated and conscious functions, e.g. to provide certificates to the University Graduates.
Manifest
Functions
Latent Functions
Which is unconscious or unintended functions and may reflect hidden purposes of an institution. E.g. one latent function of an university is to serve as a meeting ground for people seeking marital partners.
Latent
Functions
Dysfunction
a dysfunction refers to an element or a process of society that may actually disrupt a social system or lead to a decrease in stability.
Dysfunctions can not always
be interpreted as negative,
e.g. Inmates’ gang.
Dysfunction
Functional Alternative
Any function of a society can be fulfilled by an alternative organization. Such as Child care and day care center instead of family.
Functional Alternative
The Conflict Perspective
Conflict Perspective
- The conflict perspective assumes that social behavior is best understood in terms of conflict or tension between competing groups.
- Such conflict need not to be violent;
- It can take the form of labor negotiations, party politics, competition between religious groups etc.
- Conflict perspective has become increasing persuasive since the late 1960s in the United States.
- Fails to address social stability adequately.
Marxist View
- Class Struggle
- Marx viewed class struggle between social classes as inevitable.
- Primitive communism
- Slavery: Slave owner and slave
- Feudalism: Feudal lords and serf
- Capitalism: Bourgeoisie and Proletariat
- Socialism
- Communism
Marxist View
The Interactionist Perspective
Interactionist Perspective
- Interactionist perspective generalizes about everyday forms of social interaction in order to understand society as a whole.
- It views human beings as living in a world of meaningful objects. These objects may include material things, actions, other people, relationships and even symbols.
- It is primarily concerned with fundamental or everyday forms of interaction, including symbols and other types of non-verbal communication.
Symbolic Interactionism
So it is often referred to as symbolic interactionist perspective.
Symbolic
Interactionism
Symbolic
Interactionism
The Feminist Perspective
Feminist Perspective
- The feminist perspective views inequity in gender as central to all behaviour and organization.
- Because it focuses on one aspect of inequality, it is often allied with the conflict perspective.
- But unlike conflict perspective, it focuses on the micro-level relationships of everyday life, just as interactionists would.
- Contemporary feminist theorists often view women’s subordination as inherent in capitalist societies. Others find it as inevitable in all male-dominated societies.