Socio - Conflict and Consensus Theories

Consensus theory

A sociological perspective that views society as stable and harmonious, based on cooperation and agreement.

Glue holding society together according to consensus theory

Shared values, norms, and beliefs.

Outcomes created by cooperation in consensus theory

Social order, stability, and a sense of belonging.

Main example of a consensus theory and its key theorists

Functionalism, associated with sociologists such as Émile Durkheim and Talcott Parsons.

Conflict theory

A sociological perspective that views society as based on inequality, competing interests, and power struggles.

Cause of societal conflict according to conflict theory

Differing interests between distinct social groups leading to competition.

Effect of power in conflict theory

It enables powerful groups to dominate or suppress less powerful groups.

Two primary examples of conflict theories

Marxism (focused on class inequality) and Feminism (focused on gender inequality).

Three summary words for consensus theory

Cooperation, agreement, stability.

Three summary words for conflict theory

Competition, inequality, instability.

Key difference between consensus and conflict theories

Consensus focuses on society working through cooperation, whereas conflict focuses on inequality and struggles between groups.

Importance of the consensus/conflict distinction in sociology

It shapes how sociologists explain human behavior and social change.