2. There is a huge and deep relations
between sociology and mass
communication.
Sociology is the study of the development,
structure, and functioning of human
society. Whereas Mass Communication is
the study of how people exchange
information through mass media to large
segments of the population at the same
time.
3. Social Theories
Functionalism
Conflict Theory
Social Constructionism
Symbolic Interactionism
Rational Choice Theory
Exchange Theory
Feminist Theory
4. Functionalism
Looks for stability and equilibrium in society
August Comte
1798-1857
Father of sociology
Evolutionist
Positivist
Invented the term “Sociology”
The science about society ”Social
Physics”
Herbert Spencer
1820- 1903
Englishman
Evolutionist-Survival of the fittest
Optimist
6. Functionalism
Society is a combination of different parts/institutions such as:
Family, Religion, Economy and educational system
These institutions secure the evolution and growth of society
Society is:
• Well planned uniformity
• Stability and equilibrium between different parts
• Consensus of the main values
• Every institution has a function which helps society to remain stable
7. Functionalism
Equilibrium in society (integration among brick stones of society)
Two parts:
• Organizations
• Social facts
One part depends on the other part to meet the equilibrium
Functions
• Manifest(recognized and intended). Consequences of institutionalization
• Latent(Not recognized, indirect effect on society). Unintended consequences
8. Questions of functionalism
What holds a society together?
How it remain stable even when traditions disappear and customs changes?
• small societies held together by similarities__________ self-sufficient individuals
• large societies are inter-dependent_______ factor is population growth
9. Conflict Theory
Looks at how society changes
Karl Marx
1818-1883
German Revolutionist
Philosopher
Sociologist
economist
10. Conflict Theory
How society changes and adapt over time through conflict?
Polarization due to different opinion groups.
Accept a point of agreement or tear society apart
Class struggle of 19th century Europe
Conflict creates new society
In every society, there are conflicts; conflict is the driving force of social change
Conflicts can be of interests but not just violence, tension or disagreement
Conflict theory does a wonderful job of modelling the often drastic change that
occur in society
11. Social constructionism
Discovers how things are given value
Rooted from Berger and Luckman's book The Social Construction of Reality
published in 1966.
It looks at what a society is rather than how it exists or changes.
According to this theory everything is created from the mind of the society
Knowledge and many aspects around us are not real in themselves
There is a social Agreement on meanings and value of things or concepts among
members of society.
Members of society construct the world around them.
Does not consider the facts of natural phenomenon on society
12. Social constructionism
Two threads
Weak
Social constructs
Depends on brute(basic and
fundamental) facts
Strong
Depends on language and social
habits
No brute facts
14. Symbolic interactionism
Focus on individuals than society as a whole.
Human behavior develops according to their experience, interactions and learning
Behaviors are based on the idea the meanings people give to things
The people are created by their society
People modify their behaviors by given meanings to things and situations in the
past
Not everyone gives same meaning to everything
Meanings change over time
People interact with the world to give it meaning
Small scale view of society
15. Rational Choice Theory
Center on economics
People are motivated by money or what is best for them in their actions
Actions are shaped by their desire for more for something good
Assumption: Everything people do is based on rational
Rational means a person is acting as they were weighing the cost and benefits of
possible actions so they can maximize their personal gain.
Rational is a series or pattern of choices
People are derived by personal desires and motivated by personal goals.
16. Rational Choice Theory
Three Main Assumptions
1. Completeness
2. Transitivity
3. Independence of relevant alternatives
17. Exchange Theory
Its an Application of rational choice theory to social interaction
It looks at society as a series of interactions between individuals and is use to study
Family, work and parenting relationships
It looks relationships on the basis of rewards and punishments
Rewards: Social approvals, recognition, money, gifts, positive gestures
Punishments: Social disapprovals, humiliations, negative gestures
Behaviors after rewards are likely to be repeated
18. Exchange Theory
Questions and critique
If its only about reward or punishment then what about such activities that don’t
reward
The more reward is available , less it will be valued
Human behavior is not just about rewards and punishments according to conflict
theory
19. Feminist Theory
A macro perspective Theory
It developed from the social movement feminism, originating from conflict
perspective, by focusing on the stratification and inequalities in society.
It examines women's social roles and experience in a variety of fields, like education
and family, and the workforce.
Feminist theory looks beyond the more common male-based perspective to focus
on the gender inequalities in society.
feminist theory sheds light on the gender inequalities that permeate our everyday
life.
20. Feminist Theory
It focuses on:
Discrimination
Objectification
Oppression
Stereotyping
21. Feminist Theory
Types of Feminist Theory
Radical feminism
Socialist feminism
Cultural feminism
Liberal Feminism
22. Feminist Theory
Radical Feminism
Radical feminism is a movement that believes sexism is so deeply rooted in society
that the only cure is to eliminate the concept of gender completely.
According to them traditional family structure should be rejected
The most extreme form of feminism.
23. Feminist Theory
Socialist Feminism
Socialist feminism is a movement that calls for an end to capitalism through a
socialist reformation of our economy.
socialist feminism focuses on economics and politics.
Slightly less extreme but calls for major social change
They thought that difference between men and women is because of capitalism
24. Feminist Theory
Cultural feminism
Cultural feminism is a movement that points out how modern society is hurt by
encouraging masculine behavior, but society would benefit by encouraging
feminine behavior instead.
Cultural feminism is basically is a shift from radical feminism
It is also a feminist theory of difference that praises the positive aspect of women.
As radical feminism died out as a movement, cultural feminism got rolling.
25. Feminist Theory
Liberal Feminism
Liberal feminism is a movement which focuses on women's ability to maintain their
equality through their own actions and choices.
Its emphasis is on making the legal and political rights of women equal to men.
26. Questions
Can someone make benefit of the situation at the expense of someone else?(
conflict Theory)
Mention all main parts/institutions which you believe are the brick stones of
society. How do these parts work together in creating societies equilibrium?
(Functionalism theory)