Three Theoretical Approaches to Sociology - 1326 Words

3 Major Theoretical Approaches to Sociology Functionalism (a.k.a. Structural Functionalism, Functional Analysis, Positivism): Until relatively modern times the prevalent sociological perspective was Functionalism, a paradigm which analyzes social structures (such as religion, schooling, or race relations) to deduce what social functions (such as marriage conventions, college attendance, or hiring practices) derive from them. This theoretical approach views society as a system of inter-dependent social functions each working to maintain equilibrium and stability within the whole. The social function of marriage, for instance, might be seen to derive from a religious structure. The values, norms, and behaviors surrounding marriage†¦show more content†¦describing how those persons are interacting with social symbols ... helps illuminate why love in marriage is important to Americans. Society in the USA has long held to expectations of life-long fulfillment and satisfaction. Indeed the ‘American Dream’ has been crucial to American social development. With symbols of impending success all around them, Americans naturally also expect marriage to be fulfilling and satisfying as well. Symbolic Interactionism has been criticized for its inability to work with social structures (an important flaw) and macro-sociological issues. Also the approach favors qualitative data, thus creating research vagaries such as subjection in data interpretation and analysis. Conflict Theory: In the 1800’s Karl Marx (1818-1883) began to question the basic assumptions of Functionalism, particularly the premise that social functions exist naturally and develop over time to best serve all participants. His approach, called Marxism or Conflict Theory, emphasized four points; ïÆ'Ëœ A materialist view of human history, ïÆ'Ëœ Dialectical analysis in which one social convention (a ‘thesis’) creates its opposite (an ‘anti-thesis’), and a new convention (a ‘synthesis’) arises from conflict between the two, ïÆ'Ëœ AShow MoreRelatedMarxism and Health Care1239 Words   |  5 Pagesdoes one theoretical perspective discussed in chapter two contribute to a deeper sociological understanding of health and health care? For many years sociological approaches towards health were not adequately utilised as a means of gaining an enriched understanding of concurrent physical and social issues relating to health care. The application of theoretical perspectives in reference to health emerged during the 1950’s and was commonly perceived as being empirical rather then theoretical in natureRead MoreResearch Methods Essay749 Words   |  3 PagesSociology Research Methods Essay Assignment Bringing Home the Bacon: Marital Allocation of Income-Earning Responsibility, Job Shifts and Men s Wages By: Gorman, Elizabeth H. 1999 Research Question The research question addressed in the article Bringing Home the Bacon: Marital Allocation of Income-Earning Responsibility, Job Shifts and Men s Wages discusses the issue of marriage and how it impacts men s job shift patterns and how job shifting also influences men s wages. The researchRead MoreThe Theoretical Perspectives Of Sociology911 Words   |  4 Pages Symbolic interactionism is the first of the three theoretical perspectives in Sociology. This avenue of examining sociological factors looks at more personal interactions than the other two perspectives. Sociologist observe patterns and behaviors of these smaller interactions to define, or redefine, the use and evolution of symbols in society. Some sociologist see this approach as being too focused on one person’s view and take on society rather than trying to understand society as a functioningRead MoreStructuralism : Structuralism And Structuralism1522 Words   |  7 Pagesmourning dress of shape, different to the usual. The structuralist approach has been most used in anthropology to sociology, particularly in the United States. Following the line of Là ©vi-Strauss, that popularized the term structuralism. This type of analysis it has applied to the study of the kinship, the myth, the religion and to other areas. However, numerous theoretical of the sociology will have s een influenced by various concepts from of this comment. Michel Foucault, used - .varias ideas key toRead MoreSociology 210 Study Guide1129 Words   |  5 PagesThe Sociological Perspective I. The Sociological Perspective. A. Sociology is the systematic study of human society. B. The sociological perspective (Berger, 1963) helps us to see general social patterns in the behavior of particular individuals (the general in the particular). C. It also encourages us to realize that society guides our thoughts and deeds — to see the strange in the familiar (Berger, 1963). D. Sociology also encourages us to see personal choice in social context. 1. ForRead MoreAltering Perspectives And Their Underlying Research Methods1557 Words   |  7 Pagesaim within this essay to examine the implications and relative sporting issue relating to injury and rehabilitation. Both injury and rehabilitation go hand in hand, as a consequence those studying in the field of physiology, sociology and psychology have different approaches, research methods and coping strategies they portray onto the athlete to resolve said issue. It is important from an investigative standpoint to breakdown each field of study into a concise representation, thereby allowingRead MoreThe Sociology Of Health And Illness1292 Words   |  6 Pagesthat Medical sociology or the sociology of health and illness is majorly based on the empiricist philosophy which uses the measurement of objectives for quantitative change. Lupton (2012) traces that early in its development, medical sociology inherited rationalist approach for its acceptance as semi-scientific methodology and by virtue of which is considered as a component of social medicine rather than critical sociology and the consequentRead MoreThe Core Concepts Of Sociology1578 Words   |  7 PagesThe core concepts of sociology are a combination of original theories with improved sociological approaches that build upon them over time. Sociology utilizes three main theories to approach the study of society with different focus points that result in different outcomes. Furthermore, as stated by Robert Faris and William Form from britannica â€Å"The early schools of thought each presented a systematic formulation of sociology that implied possession of exclusive truth and that involved a convictionRead MoreSociology Essay1116 Words   |  5 Pages 9, 2012 Essay #1 According to, Datin Sitti Haishah Abd Rahman, â€Å"development of sociology took place in Europe during 18th and 19th centuries as the results: of a new industrial economy, the growth of cities, the political change, and a new awareness of society.† She adds that, â€Å"the term sociology was coined by a French social thinker Auguste Comte (1798-1857).† In the book, Thinking Sociology by Carl, sociology is defined as, â€Å"a science guided by the basic understanding that the social matters:Read MoreContemporary Theory: Stratification Essay examples1245 Words   |  5 Pagesindividuals in social structure[s]† (242). Through this, the basis of stratification arises from the fundamental works of the forefathers of sociology, Marx, Weber, and Durkheim. Marx, Weber, and Durkheim each establishes a foundation as â€Å"almost all contemporary stratification theory and research in sociology traces itself back, in some fashion, to one of these three† (Bowles 20 13). From this it can be seen how Marx, Weber, and Durkheims views on stratification vary from one another. Each classical sociologist