Florence Tang

Sociology 101

Professor Ghazarian

2 July 2017

Sociological Perspectives Writing Assignment

Sociological theory, a set of statements that explain how human society functions, is

comprised of three major perspectives: the functionalist perspective, the conflict perspective,

and the interactionist perspective. The functionalist perspective is based off the ideas of Emile

Durkheim, the father of sociology. This perspective sees society as a single large entity,

spurred on by its interdependent social institutions. These social institutions include

government, religion, family, and education, all of which exist because they serve a crucial role

in holding society together. The functionalist perspective therefore assumes that these parts

work together to maintain social equilibrium. Through consensus of order and harmony, society

is stabilized. Unlike its macro-sociological counterpart, the conflict perspective, the functionalist

perspective does not encourage social change, and instead views it as a disturbance to an

already established balance within society. An analogy to the functionalist perspective can be

seen in the human body, in which various organs work together to keep the body alive and

going. If one organ were to break down, other organs and the body as a whole would be

affected as well. Another example can be found in the role that crime plays on society: if crime

were to be eradicated, then law enforcement jobs would drop, resulting in high unemployment.

However, many cases of crime stem from unemployment, supporting the functionalist

perspective that society could not function if a core institution were to be removed.
 The next perspective is the conflict perspective, in which it views society as competition

instead of consensus. This perspective draws from the ideas of Karl Marx, who believed in class

tension and society being defined by such. It maintains that societys framework is created from

the conflicts that arise out of differing interests. In other words, social structures are created as

individuals and groups compete for resources or power. The conflict perspective places heavy

emphasis on social change, which is driven by the social conflicts. Many examples of this

perspective can be found in history. For instance, two terms are commonly used in Marxism:

bourgeoisie and proletariat, the capitalist class and the working class. Marx asserted that the

elite bourgeoisie ruthlessly exploited the proletariat, essentially because they had the power

and means to do it. By doing so, a split between the two social classes was created and defined.

Like the functionalist perspective, the conflict perspective also takes the macro-sociological

approach, and analyzes society as a whole. Both perspectives recognize that society is shaped

by the relationship between structure and individuals, with the difference being the area where

emphasis is placed. The next sociological perspective is micro-sociological, and focuses on the

groups and their interactions within society.

The interactionist perspective, also called the symbolic interaction perspective, stresses

the idea that human interaction is understood through what symbolic meanings people place

on ideas, events, and objects. Many of these symbolic meanings are not supported by facts, but

rather by what people believe in. As such, the symbolic interaction perspective contests that

society is framed by human interpretation. This perspective is often reflected in pop culture.

For example, recreational drugs are widely known to be detrimental. Since they are viewed as

risky and dangerous, many are drawn to drugs in the belief that it will make them appear
cool to their peers. Examples can also be found in more innocent objects, like glasses. Many

uphold the belief that those who wear glasses are intelligent. In a social setting, people who

wear glasses may therefore be placed in a higher (or lower) regard than those who do not.

In all, these three social perspectives serve to analyze how society functions the first

two are macro-sociological, and the third is micro-sociological.