SYG 2000 Lecture 2 Chapter 1 Theoretical Perspectives
I. Theoretical perspectives in sociology: conceptual frameworks in which facts placed
A. theory: gen statement: @ how some parts of world fit together/work; explain how 2 or > facts related to one another
B. 3 maj theories in sociology: symbolic interactionism, functional analysis, conflict theory
II. Symbolic Interactionism: arose from Scottish moral philosophers noting evaluation of conduct thru comparison to others
A.3 bringing this to sociology: Charles Horton Cooley, William I. Thomas, George Herbert Mead
B. study: how people use symbols to develop their view of the world and to communicate with one another
C. directs relationships: symbol tells you how you are related to others—and how you should react toward them
D. coordination: symbols allows us to coordinate actions with those of other people
E. behav shaped by meaning: study how behavior dep on ways define self/others;even self=symbol: ideas @ who we are
G. Self changing: according to how we interpret reactions of others, constantly adjusting views of who we are
H. U.S. Divorce Rate (explain): in 1900s, Americans think mar sacred, lifelong; div seen as immoral, harmful
1. meaning began change: grow importance of understanding, mutual affection, compatibility
2. shift: from obligation/duty to arrangement, often temporary, based on intimate feelings
3. stigma removed: once symbol of failure, now indicator of freedom, new beginnings
4. fuzziness undermines mar: vaguer guidelines, couples must figure out how divide responsibility, work, home, children
a. structure: (symbols) formerly provided basis for marriages lasting.
5. >strain from parenthood responsibility:compared to
III. Functional Analysis: assumption--society made up interrelated parts working together for smooth functioning of whole
A. organic analogy: August Comte and Herbert Spencer view society as living organism
B. structural functionalism: look at how parts fit together (structure)/how contribute to whole (function)
C. Robert Merton: manifest functions (part intended to help sys); latent functions (unintended but help sys adjust)
D. Sex D of L functional: trad wife charge household tasks, also raise chickens, milk cows, collect eggs, cook, etc.
1. husband: responsible for lg. animals, maintaining tools, etc; together form economic unit
2. Indus. Family undermines trad functions: e.g. educ. Moves from family to outside agencies (e.g., education)
3. >Divorce rate: because weakens ties that bind, making fams more fragile
E. Conflict theory: assumes scarcity leads to conflict; 1 or >groups dominant; use power/ideology maintain privilege
1. Marx: conflict between classes—those who own means of production and those who labor
2. Lewis Coser: conflict most likely between those in close relationships
3. feminists: stress conflict between men and women