sociology

1. SociologicalSociological
PerspectivesPerspectives
Professor Maggie MendezProfessor Maggie Mendez
Introduction to SociologyIntroduction to Sociology

2. What is a SociologicalWhat is a Sociological
Perspective?Perspective?
 Tool for analyzing social life.Tool for analyzing social life.
 Level of analysisLevel of analysis
• MacroMacro
• MicroMicro
 Three major perspectives in SociologyThree major perspectives in Sociology
• Functualist PerspectiveFunctualist Perspective
• Conflict PerspectiveConflict Perspective
• Symbolic Interaction PerspectiveSymbolic Interaction Perspective

3. FunctionalistFunctionalist
PerspectivePerspective
 Vision of SocietyVision of Society
• A system of interrelated parts that functionA system of interrelated parts that function
or operate together harmoniously.or operate together harmoniously.
• OrganismOrganism
• Social SystemSocial System
• Macro PerspectiveMacro Perspective

4. 4
 Society is viewed asSociety is viewed as
very similar to thevery similar to the
human body.human body.
• Each part meets aEach part meets a
need in order toneed in order to
maintain a normalmaintain a normal
state of balance.state of balance.
• Organs are viewed asOrgans are viewed as
similar to socialsimilar to social
systems.systems.
OrganismOrganism

5. 5
Social SystemsSocial Systems
 Interdependent networkInterdependent network
of social institutionsof social institutions
(family, school, business,(family, school, business,
religion, etc.) that shapereligion, etc.) that shape
our live.our live.
 Social systemSocial system
contributes the stability ofcontributes the stability of
society.society.
 EquilibriumEquilibrium
 DisequilibriumDisequilibrium

6. Macro-level of AnalysisMacro-level of Analysis
 HomelessnessHomelessness
• Examine how changes in parts of societyExamine how changes in parts of society
have increased homelessness.have increased homelessness.
EconomyEconomy
FamilyFamily

7. Conflict PerspectiveConflict Perspective
 Vision of SocietyVision of Society
• Society is constantly changing in responseSociety is constantly changing in response
to social inequality and conflict.to social inequality and conflict.
• Power strugglePower struggle
• Social ChangeSocial Change
 Macro PerspectiveMacro Perspective

8. 8
VariousVarious
groups are ingroups are in
conflict toconflict to
competecompete
forfor
limitedlimited
resources,resources,
control, orcontrol, or
authority.authority.
Dominate
Groups
Subordinate
Groups
Wealth, Power, Prestige
Resources, Control, Authority
Power StrugglePower Struggle

9. Social ChangeSocial Change
 Conflict is inevitableConflict is inevitable
and can beand can be
beneficial.beneficial.
 Leads to socialLeads to social
change.change.
 Example:Example:
 Civil RightsCivil Rights
MovementMovement
• DesegregationDesegregation

10. Macro Level of AnaysisMacro Level of Anaysis
 HomelessnessHomelessness
• Examine the struggle between socialExamine the struggle between social
classes.classes.
Upper classes control the economyUpper classes control the economy

11. SymbolicSymbolic
InteractionistInteractionist
PerspectivePerspective
 Vision of SocietyVision of Society
• Focus on meanings that people place onFocus on meanings that people place on
their own and one another’s behavior.their own and one another’s behavior.
• SymbolsSymbols
• Society is created through social interaction.Society is created through social interaction.
 Micro PerspectiveMicro Perspective

12. SymbolsSymbols
 People use symbols toPeople use symbols to
develop views about thedevelop views about the
world and communicateworld and communicate
with one another.with one another.
 Define ourselves andDefine ourselves and
othersothers
• RelationshipsRelationships
• Self-conceptSelf-concept
 Social interactions allowsSocial interactions allows
society to existsociety to exist

13. Micro Level of AnalysisMicro Level of Analysis
 HomelessnessHomelessness
• Analyze the culture and communication ofAnalyze the culture and communication of
homeless people.homeless people.
How do they survive?How do they survive?
How do they interact with one another in theHow do they interact with one another in the
shelters and streets?shelters and streets?

14. Summary and ReviewSummary and Review
Perspective Level of
Analysis
Point of View Explaining the Homelessness
Functionalist Marco
level
Various parts
of society are
interdependent
and related.
Examine how changes in parts of
society have increased
homelessness.
Conflict Macro
level
Struggle for
scarce
resources by
groups in
society.
Examine the struggle between
social classes.
Symbolic
Interactionist
Micro
level
How people use
symbols to
create society.
Analyze the culture and
communication of homeless people.