Theoretical Perspectives in 


Sociological Analysis

“It is through the illusion of freedom from social determinants… that social

determinants win the freedom to exercise their full power… And
so, paradoxically, sociology frees us by freeing us from the illusion
of freedom.” 

Pierre Bourdieu, 1990

Theories: Concept Checklist
✓ Theory: definition, levels

✓ Differences in disciplines; Perspectives Exercise

✓ Structural Functionalism

✓ Social Conflict

✓ Symbolic Interactionism

✓ Summary
Theories
 What is theory?
A theory is “an abstract statement
that say why and how some set of
concepts are linked. Their purpose
is to explain
some portion of reality.”
-- Stark & Roberts (2002)

(Theories) are stories about why

people ‘behave, interact, and
organize themselves in certain
ways.’”
- Adler & Clark (1999)
 Three functions of theory

• Theories insure that social patterns are not flukes,

or chance occurrences.

• Theories make sense of observed patterns in a

way to suggest other possibilities.

• Theories can shape and direct research.

MACRO-LEVEL
MESO-LEVEL
MICRO-LEVEL

levels of
theory
6
MACRO-LEVEL THEORIES
Concern the operation of larger aggregates such
as social institutions, entire cultural systems and whole
societies. It uses more concepts that are abstract.

Examples are cross-national studies or world

economic systems.
MESO-LEVEL THEORIES

-Links micro and macro levels

-Examples are theories of
organization, social movements
(e.g. labor movement), or
communities.
MICRO-LEVELTHEORIES
Deal with issues of social life at
the level of individuals and small
groups

Barkada, household behavior,

abused women or children
 Differences in discipline
focus unit of analysis themes

interplay of social culture, norms,

context (history) & individuals-in- groups, structure-agency,
sociology/
anthropology
social location systems, structures, inequality, social
(biography); communities, societies problems, social
grounded construction
mental illness,
cognitive, affective, individuals, brain, intelligence, self-
psychology
conative; biological biological processes esteem, self-worth,
personality

questioning
reason, existence, reality,
philosophy fundamental nature being, consciousness
knowledge
of existence, reality
Major Paradigms/ Perspectives 


• Structural Functionalism (SF)

• Social Conflict (SC)
• Symbolic Interactionism (SI)
 Group Exercise
#PerspectivesExercise

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http://brightside.me/article/20-amazing-photographers-who-are-ready-to-do-anything-for-the-perfect-shot-11355/
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 perspectives exercise (group)
» sitting position
» carpe diem position
» grounded position
» teacher position
» free form position

***use cameras to show how the world looks

like in different positions (selfies are okay, too!).
post your photos in our FB group with the
#perspectives 17
 perspectives exercise (group)
» which view was the best? why?
» which view was the most comfortable? why?
» which view was the most uncomfortable?
why?
» which view gave you a new perspective?
why?

***report after 15 minutes

***use cameras to show how the world looks like in
different positions (selfies are okay, too!). post your
photos in our FB group with the #perspectives 18
Major Paradigms/ Perspectives 


• Structural Functionalism (SF)

• Social Conflict (SC)
• Symbolic Interactionism (SI)
 Key Concepts
SF SC SI

order, stability, conflict perceptions

harmony

functions, division of structured inequality, meanings and

labor, hierarchy inclusion-exclusion, interpretation shape
gatekeepers, opposing interaction &
groups in conflict behavior

shared values, access, privileges, power actors/individuals’

conformity, rules & relationships sense of agency as
sanctions important

evolution revolution individuals are able

to shape society 20
 Structural Functionalism (SF)
• A social entity, such as an organization or a whole
society, can be viewed as an organism.
• A social system is made up of parts, each of which
contributes to the functioning of the whole.
• This view looks for the “functions” served by the
various components of society.
• Social integration/ solidarity with the members of the
society as important: mechanical & organic solidarity

g eth er?
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What k
Structural Functionalism: Assumptions
• Stability – whether a social
pattern contributes to the
maintenance of society
• Harmony – parts of an
organism work together for
the good of the whole
• Evolution – change occurs
through the adaptation of
social structures to new
demands and needs and
the elimination of
unnecessary or outmoded
structures
 d ist r i ct?
o f e ach
u n c t ion
is the f
what

The Hunger Games

 a g iven
ef its f ro m
W h o be n
Social em e n t?
arrang
Conflict (SC)
Karl Marx suggested social
behavior could be seen as the
process of conflict: the attempt
to dominate and avoid being
dominated.

Society is made up of groups that

have opposing interests.
Coercion and attempts to gain
power are ever-present. Those
in power seek to maintain by
spreading myths or using
violence, if necessary.
 Social Conflict:
Assumptions

• Competition – over scarce resources (money,

leisure, sexual partners) is at the heart of all social
relationships
• Structured inequality – inequalities in power and
reward are built into all social structures. Individuals
and groups that benefit from any particular structure
strive to see it maintained.
• Revolution – change occurs as a result of conflict
between competing interests rather than through
adaptation; often abrupt and revolutionary than
evolutionary
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 Symbolic Interactionism (SI)
• People transmit and receive symbolic communication
when they interact. They create perceptions of each
other, and act on those perceptions.
• How people think about themselves and others is based
on their interactions.

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et th
rp r
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d o p
How
Interactionism: Assumptions

• Symbolic meanings are

important – any behavior,
gesture, or word can
have multiple
interpretations. In order
to understand human
behavior, we must learn
what it means to the
participants
• Meanings grow out of
relationships – when
relationships change, so
do meanings
• Meanings are negotiated
board games
exercise
for theoretical perspectives
 Board Games Mechanics
• Each group will be given 5 minutes to learn about the game.
You may take a photo of each game. Each will also
document the following:
Game Goal of the Rules Roles of the Personal
Game player/s Impression about
the Game & Why

* For the group work paper/ vlog/ podcast, etc.

* (due on Oct 4, Thurs)
1. Which game/s did you enjoy? Why?

2. Which game/s did you not enjoy? Why not?

3. How is each game related to the STRUCTURE/SOCIETY and AGENCY/

INDIVIDUAL relationship?

4. Which game/s is more SF? SC? SI? Why?