Sociologists explore social occurrences at different levels and from different standpoints, studying everything from micro to macro levels of social patterns. Their views outline the basis for their sociological perspective, which are the different theoretical constructs that sociologists have created for examining the social world we live in. It provides sociologists with a philosophical position. The three views most commonly used by sociologists today are: the functionalist, conflict and symbolic interactionist perspectives.
The functionalist perspective (functionalism) emphasizes the way in which the parts of a society are structured to maintain its stability. It is a macrosociology in which each part of the society contributes to make the whole in order for its survival. Talcott Parsons, a key contributor to the development of this theory, saw society as a vast network of interconnected parts. Its view of society is as a stable and well-integrated system and of the individual is that of people are socialized to perform societal functions. Social order is maintained through cooperation and consensus. And social change is seen as predictable and reinforcing, but change also being dysfunctional. Analyzes of colleges in the US can be seen through the functionalist perspective in that the structure of the educational system functions to reinforce the common values of a society. College educates young adults so that they can be beneficial contributors to society. One of its open-stated conscious purposes (Manifest function) is to certify academic competence and excellence. While one of its unintended functions or hidden purposes (Latent functions) is to facilitate in mate selection.
The Term Paper on German Society Nazi Social Nazism
It cannot be doubted that Nazi Germany was the most destructive political regime of the 20 th century, not only because it unleashed World War II or instigated the holocaust but because of its impact on German society. The extent of this impact has been extensively debated by various historians, leading to a spectrum of opinions ranging from Marxist perspectives that emphasise a strengthening of ...
conflict perspective focuses on social power and inequality. It’s a macrosociology that assumes that social behavior is best understood in conditions of tension between groups over power or the allocation of resources, such as in housing, money, access to services, and political representation. Its view of society is characterized by strain and struggle between groups. View of the individual is that people are shaped by power, coercion and authority. Social order is to be maintained though force and coercion of the powerless by the powerful. Societies are in a constant state of social change and that may have negative and positive consequences. Karl Marx viewed struggle between social classes as inevitable. A college in the US through the conflict perspective is a form of big business. Prestigious and private schools being the most expensive, it separates race and class not making its education attainable by all.
Interactionist perspective is a sociological approach that generalizes the everyday form of social interaction in order to explain society as a whole, including symbols (physical, social, abstract) and other types of nonverbal communication. Interactionists examine on a micro level by focusing on how day-to-day social behavior is shaped by the distinctive norms, values, and demands that are held in common by the members of that society. Its view of society is active in influencing and affecting everyday social interaction. Individually people manipulate symbols and create their social worlds through interaction. Social order is maintained by mutual understanding of everyday behavior. Social change is reflected in people’s social positions and their communications with others. Colleges contain the student-teacher relationship, the classroom then working as a whole toward a common cause.
The Essay on Teachers Should Not Make Their Social or Political Views Known to Students in the Classroom
Many people believe that teachers should not involve their personal view into the lecture, which will cause the possibility of restricting students thinking. But I disagree with that opinion because I consider that teacher propose their own standpoint to the students stands several advantages over the many people think so. First, teachers present their personal comment in classes can perfectly ...
These sociological perspectives offer sociologists theoretical paradigms for explaining how society influences people and how people influence in turn then society. Sociologists draw on all of them as each offers unique insights into the same issues.
