PERSPECTIVES IN THE STUDY OF GLOBALIZATION

sociological imagination

was introduced by sociologist C. Wright Mills in 1959

sociological imagination

refers to the ability to see and understand the connections between personal experiences and larger social forces and structures

sociological imagination

it is the capacity to recognize how individual lives are shaped by broader social realities.

sociological imagination

This perspective challenges the notion that personal difficulties are purely individual in nature and helps individuals develop a more nuanced understanding of the complexities of society.

sociological imagination

invites people to think critically about the interplay between personal experiences and societal contexts, fostering a broader and more informed perspective on social issues.

STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALISM

a sociological perspective that views society as a complex system composed of various interconnected parts, each with its own specific function.

STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALISM

This perspective emphasizes the role of these parts in maintaining social stability and equilibrium.

Emile Durkheim and Talcott Parsons

Who developed structural functionalism?

Structural functionalism

focuses on the idea that societies are held together by shared norms, values, and institutions

SOCIAL FUNCTIONS

The perspective asserts that every aspect of society has a specific function or purpose.

FUNCTIONAL INTERDEPENDENCE

Just as the organs of a body work together to ensure its proper functioning, various institutions and social structures collaborate to meet the needs of society as a whole.

EQUILIBRIUM AND ADAPTATION

Societies strive for equilibrium

or balance

SOCIAL INTEGRATION

Individuals are bound together by shared values and norms

SOCIAL CHANGE

While structural functionalism

tends to highlight the stabilizing aspects of society, it acknowledges that change is inevitable.

CRITIQUE AND LIMITATION

they argued that structural

functionalism can sometimes oversimplify the complexities of society and overlook conflicts and inequalities.

CONFLICT THEORY

major perspective within sociology that emphasizes the role of power, inequality, and competition in shaping social structures and relationships.

CONFLICT THEORY

It views society as being characterized by ongoing strugglesbetween different groups and individuals who have conflicting interests.

Inequality and Power:

asserts that societies are inherently unequal due to the distribution of power, resources, and opportunities among different groups.

Dominant

the group that hold power and resources

Subordinate

the group that often face oppression and lack access to these resources.

Struggle for Resources:

According to conflict theory, there is a continuous competition among various groups for limited resources such as wealth, jobs, education, and social status

Social Change

Conflict theorists argue that social change occurs primarily as a result of conflicts between different groups rather than through gradual, consensus-driven processes.

Structural Inequities:

social institutions (such as education, government, and the economy) can reinforce inequality.

Structural Inequities

These institutions are often controlled by the dominant groups and can be used to maintain their advantage while suppressing the subordinate groups.

Class Struggle:

society is divided into two main classes: the bourgeoisie (owners of the means of production) and the proletariat (working class).

ideology

a set of beliefs and values that justifies the existing social order

false consciousness

suggests that members of subordinate groups may adopt the ideology of the dominant group

Critical Analysis

It encourages researchers to examine issues related to class, race, gender, and other forms of social inequality.

Symbolic interactionism

a sociological theory that focuses on the ways in which individuals create and interpret symbols and meanings in their interactions with each other.

Symbolic interactionism

developed by scholars such as George Herbert Mead, Charles Cooley, and Herbert Blumer.

Symbolic interactionism

This perspective emphasizes the significance of symbols, language, and communication in shaping human behavior and the construction of social reality

Symbolic interactionism

emphasizes that human behavior is not simply a response to external stimuli but is mediated by the meanings individuals attach to those stimuli.

Interaction and

Communication

The theory highlights the importance of social interactions and communication in shaping individuals' understanding of the world.

Social Construction of

Reality

Symbolic interactionism suggests that reality is not objective and fixed; rather, it is socially constructed through the meanings attributed to symbols.

Role Taking

mentally stepping into the perspectives of others to understand how they view a situation

Role Taking

This process helps individuals anticipate responses and adjust their behavior accordingly.

Socialization:

provides insights into how individuals learn and internalize societal norms, values, and roles through interactions with family, peers, and other significant figures

Agency and Choice

acknowledges that individuals have agency—the ability to make choices and act intentionally.

Agency and Choice

People are not just passive recipients of societal influences but actively engage in constructing their social reality.

symbolic interactionism

offers valuable insights into how people create meaning and navigate their social world through symbolic communication.