C273_Mod2_Major Sociological Perspectives

C273_U1

What does a functionalist perspective focus on?

How the division of resources helps a society maintain itself - “it is what it is”

What does a conflict perspective focus on?

How groups compete for social prestige and resources - “no benefit for some things being looked at as just being it is what it is

What does a symbolic interactionist perspective focus on?

How meaning is communicated in society through symbols, gestures, writing, and language. - what is creating the it is what it is and why one can think it is what it is

What is a theory?

A set of logically interrelated statements that attempts to describe, explain, and sometimes predict social events.

What did Robert Merton define function as in regards to Sociology?

Describes the beneficial consequences of actions in society

What did Robert Merton define dysfunction as in regards to society?

Harmful consequences of actions that undermine a system’s balance

What is a manifest function?

Stated, intended consequences of an insitution, action, or social group

What is a latent function?

Unconscious or unrecognized consequences of the same institution, action, or social group

What did Marx believe society constantly generated?

Inequality, therefore conflict and change

What does sociology define a social interaction as?

Exchanges among people that are meaningful

What is symbolic interactionism?

A concept from Mead that no one is born knowing how to communicate with each other, and that people create symbols with meaning and learn how to use them to communicate