Disciplines and Ideas in the Social Sciences food in social media.
food in social media. But since these customers are not the only ones doing it, the
Quarter 3 – Module 5-7
Analyze the basic concepts and principles of the major social sciences theories;
a) Structural-functionalism
b) Marxism
c) Symbolic Interaction
What’s New
LESSON 1: STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALIS STRUCTURAL
FUNCTIONALISM
Structural functionalism or simply functionalism, is essentially a
sociological theory that revolves around the notion that a society is composed of a
system of interconnected parts that have their own particular functions.
Social structures formed among groups or institutions are referred to as
macrostructures, which include religion, education, tradition, and culture. On the
other hand, social structures established among individuals or within groups that
result in individual interactions are called microstructures.
The effects of the social structures or their purpose are called social
functions. Every social structure has a corresponding social function. This
relationship between social structures and social functions are the parts of the
system which structural functionalism identifies.
KEY CONCEPTS IN STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALISM
A manifest function is the predicted, intended, expected, and knowable
effect of a social structure. An example of which is when people go to church, in
order to pray and to hear mass.
A latent function is the unintended outcome of social structure. So, if the
manifest function of going to church is to pray and hear mass, its latent function is
to gather people together in one place to reinforce the sense of community.
MANIFEST and LATENT Dysfunctions
A manifest dysfunction is the predicted, expected, and knowable
disruptions of a social structure. For example, a large gathering of people such as
concerts and other events disrupts traffic flow within the vicinity of the event, even
though it was not intended to do so.
A latent dysfunction is the unpredicted and unexpected disruptions of
social structures. For example, there are costumers who usually take pictures of
average time spent by customers in their tables will increase. The latent
dysfunction in this example is that the next costumers will have an increased
waiting period.
Manifest and latent dysfunctions bring about negative effects or outcomes.
For the sociologist, studying manifest and latent functions is a way to promote the
benefits of such functions and further develop social structures. But because
manifest and latent dysfunctions are contrary to the idea of systems in society,
sociologists focus more on the dysfunctions to promote social stability and
solidarity. Understanding manifest and latent dysfunctions help sociologists assess
risks and prepare accordingly. Such assessments and preparations can be in
different fields and can be useful in various fields and professions.
IMPORTANT THEORISTS
Auguste Comte
Auguste Comte provided an analysis of social evolution through his Law of
Three Stages. Comte provided a theory of society and man’s cognitive progression
from religious and abstract concepts to a scientific perspective. Comte’s ideas are
considered as the precursor to structural functionalism, as he identified tradition
and other social structures as elements in shaping the society. The Law of Three
Stages itself is a critique of the social structures and of how humans were shaped
by progressive thinking.
Herbert Spencer
Herbert Spencer is known as the first sociological functionalist. His
comparison of society to the human body is the overarching idea of structural
functionalism. According to Spencer, each social structure is like a body part---it
has a purpose and a function in the overall well-being of the society. He also
compared the way organism evolved to how it handles constant problems.
Talcott Parsons
Talcott Parsons was an American sociologist known as one of the primary
contributors to the development of structural functionalism. Parsons identified the
different systems which make up the structure of the society, which he called
systems levels. The systems he expounded on were the following: the cultural
system, social system, personality system and biological system. All these system
work and interact with each other in some level to provide structure to the society.
The cultural system is the structure that the society generated throughout history
so that people can socialize and live together as a community. The social system is
understood as the roles people have in society. The personality system refers to
how individuals affect society through their personalities, attitudes, behaviors,
beliefs and other characteristics. Lastly, the behavioral or biological system is the
physical body of the individual and the environment where he or she lives in.
Davis and Moore
Kingsley Davis (1908–1997) and Wilbert Moore (1914–1987) were
American sociologists known for the functionalist theory of stratification or Davis-
Moore hypothesis. Their hypothesis suggest that social inequalities are necessary
so that society benefits from them---from the poor, the middle class and the rich.
To arrive at such a hypothesis, Davis and Moore explored the dynamics of
hierarchical structure such as corporations, governments, and the military, whose
structural organizations reflect that of a pyramid----the head (decision-maker and
highest paid) is at the top, the managers and supervisors (both receiver and
provider of commands and receive a medium pay) at the middle and the workers
(receiver of command and lowest paid) at the base.
In order for the organization structure to function properly, the positions
in this hierarchical structure are accompanied by necessary qualifications and
experiences so that competent individuals would fill the positions. Any deviation
from these qualifications would undermine the entire organization. Thus,
individuals with higher education, skill, experience and training are placed on top
of those who are less qualified. Since those at the top enjoy higher social status
and higher salaries, those at the bottom are the motivated to acquire the
necessary qualifications to eventually be placed on top as well. Hence, individuals
who understand stratification would invest their time to further their education and
hone their skills while getting experiences. In such a case, inequality functions and
dysfunctions.
Robert Merton
Robert Merton (1910–2003) was an American sociologist who is also a key
contributor to the functionalist theory of society. Specifically, he was the one who
developed the concepts of manifest and latent functions and dysfunctions.
A student of Parsons in Harvard University, Merton saw his mentor’s
functionalist perspective as being too theoretical and overarching. So, he aimed to
develop a theory, which he called middle range theory. This allows some level of
experimentation to ground theories more to reality. In order to do this, he said
that a middle range theory should have limited assumptions and hypothesis, which
would allow for some testing. It should also have a limited range of data to
research and interpret. This was how he came up with the different descriptions of
functions.
Additionally, Merton focused on dysfunction as it opposes the idea of
functional unity, which presupposes that everything works optimally all the time
and
that distortions exist in society. Because dysfunction is dependent upon who is
asked, it is called valued term. For example, a vehicular accident is seen as a
dysfunction, but can also be an opportunity for a tow truck driver or junkyard
dealer to gain profit (the former by towing wrecked vehicles, the latter by
recycling the parts of the vehicles).
Almond and Powell
Gabriel Almond (1911–2002) and Bingham Powell (born 1942) are
American political scientists who applied structural functionalist theories in
comparative politics. Before the theory of structural functionalism was introduced
in political science, states were studied in a manner that they had the same
systems upon which they operated on and were subject to the same laws and
production processes. Almond and Powell, however, argued that the study of
political systems of different states must be done contextually. They highlighted
the need to understand the institutions through which political systems were
allowed to function.
Finally, the particular function and the historical context which develop
and established this institution must also be taken into account in conducting
research.
Aside from studying the interrelationships of the function of institutions in a
political system, Almond and Powell also recognized the function of the political
system itself on society. They highlighted the function of the political system as
political socialization, recruitment, and communication. Political socialization is the
means by 7 which proper civic conduct, duties and good citizenship are promoted
and societal values and beliefs are passed on to the younger generation. On the
other hand, recruitment is the way by which political systems attract the interest
of the public through participation in debates and other engagements. Lastly,
communication is the means by which society learns about the issues and affairs
of the state.
ESSENTIAL LEARNING
The main idea in structural functionalism is that the society is made up of
different components such as institutions, services, and people that work together
and allow the society to function. As body parts have specific functions,
functionalism implies that all structure in society have their own purpose and
specific functions.
Structural functionalism
Structural functionalism, or simply functionalism, is “a framework for
building theory that sees society as a complex system whose parts work together
to promote solidarity and stability”. The structural-functional approach is a
perspective in sociology that sees society as a complex system whose parts work
together to promote solidarity and stability. Education, for example, has several
important functions in a society, such as socialization, learning, and social
placement.
What is It
What have I learned so far?
1. What is your own understanding of Structural Functionalism theory?
2. How can manifest and latent dysfunction affect social order?
What’s More
What specific experience in your life shows the basic principles of the structural
functionalism theory?
What I Have Learned
Complete the statements below.
I have learned that ________________
I have realized that _________________
I will apply _________________________
What I Can Do
Explain the major events that occurred and its contribution which led to the
emergence of the social science disciplines.
Assessment
Direction: Read each item carefully and write T f the statement is true, and write F
if the statement is false.
____1. Microstructures are the social structures formed among groups or
institutions.
____2. Social functions are the effects of social structures or their purpose.
____3. Macrostructures are social structures that were established by the
individual or within a group that resulted in individual interactions.
____4. Structural functionalism is the essential sociological theory that revolves
around the notion that a society is composed of a system of interconnected parts
that have their own particular function.
____5. Manifest function is the predicted, intended, and expected effect of a
social structure.
____6. Structural functionalism is the same as the human body parts that have
specific functions, functionalism implies that all structures in society have their
own purpose and specific functions.
____7. Addressing elders with respect, as an example of a macrostructure,
patterns and shapes the younger generation to promote social values.
____8. When one of the parts of the society does not perform properly, the entire
society could not function well.
____9. Political socialization is a means by which proper civic conduct, duties and
good citizenship are promoted and societal values and beliefs are passed on to the
younger generation.
____10. Recruitment is the way by which political systems attract the interest of
the public through participation in debates and other engagements.
____11. The unpredicted and unexpected disruptions of social structures is called
latent dysfunction.
____12. Various parts of the society are interrelated.
____13. Davis and Moore aimed to develop a theory, which they called middle
range theory, that would be more focused and manageable.
____14. Theorists respond to the social phenomena that pervade society.
____15. Communication is the means by which society learns about the issues and
affairs of the state.
LESSON 2: MARXISM
What’s In
The main purpose of structural functionalism is that the parts and its
functions, are interconnected to the other parts as a big factor for the
maintenance or continuity to function properly as a structured social system. Thus,
each institution has a part to play in maintaining the balance of the larger
structure as a whole. This assumption can also relate to the parts similar to that
found in an organism, an example of which is the digestive system (Vincent 2001).
What’s New
MARXISM
Marxism is a sociological, political, and economic philosophy that is based
on the ideas and theories of Karl Marx (1818–1883). To understand the ideas of
Karl Marx, the historical backdrop from which he lived---during the Revolution of
the 19th century – must be considered.
Before the advent of the Industrial Revolution, the primary source of living in
many European countries was farming or agriculture-related work. However, with
the rise of factories, such character changed, which caused farmers to abandon
their fields to become factory workers. The introduction of machines enabled the
rapid What’s In What’s New15 advancements in the production process, which
allowed faster trade and consumption of goods. This development provided
factory owners with profits that enabled them to invest in factory expansion. This
cycle of production and consumption continued to create an economy, which
became known as industrial capitalism.
Industrial capitalism created two classes in society, which Marx termed as
the bourgeoisie or the factory owners or capitalist and the proletariat or the
industrial workers or labors. The bourgeoisie controls the production (factories,
machines, and land), while the proletariat, who does not have access to such
means of production, exchanges labor for wages.
KEY CONCEPTS IN MARXISM
SOCIAL INEQUALITY
In a capitalist society, oppression and exploitation are among the social
inequalities that exist between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. Marx argued
that the profit from goods should be equally divided among the laborers since they
are the ones who work to produce such goods. But in reality, they are given low
wages and are often asked to work in terrible working conditions. For Marx,
capitalists steal by taking the profit for themselves, while leaving the workers with
salaries disproportionate to the work that they provide.
Class Conflict
Class conflict or class struggle arises from the oppression of the proletariat
by the bourgeoisie. Such oppression happens whenever a society has a stratified
and hierarchical class division, and it is more evident in a capitalist society where
the manipulative force of capitalism creates tension between the classes.
Marx advocated for a revolutionary consciousness to fight back against the
capitalist oppressors. At the end of the revolution, a communist society will then
be established, which for Marx, will make the citizens happy as they will be treated
equally. A communist society is characterized by a classless society having
common ownership of property and resources (means of production). Private
property and profit-based economy are replaced by public ownership and control.
Important Theorists
Marx and Engels Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels (1820–1895) were
German philosophers and political scientists, who are regarded as the fathers of
Marxist theory. Marx and Engels were friends, and they collaborated many times.
Their most notable work together was Communist Manifesto.
Marx and Engels presented in the communist manifesto their core ideas in a way
that the proletariat could easily grasp. They laid out their thoughts in a simple and
systematic manner which does not require the reader to be a part of the academic
elite in order to understand. The communist manifesto provides a sociological 16
perspective in the understanding of history. For Marx and Engels, history is
determined by the class struggles and conflicts between the oppressor
(bourgeoisie) and the oppressed (proletariat). The bourgeoisie, who controls and
monopolizes the means of production, remains in power because of wealth
accumulated from the profits of production. The proletariat, who contributes much
to the profit of the bourgeoisie, remains as mere workers.
Moreover, the communist manifesto points to an organized proletariat
class who would revolt against the bourgeoisie by amassing political power. This is
the aim of communism as argued by Marx and Engels – that workers unite to
overthrow the bourgeoisie supremacy and ultimately allow the proletariat freedom
from subjugation. Thus, communism would prevent oppressors from exploiting the
working class in order to gain profit.
V. Gordon Childe
Vere Gordon Childe (1892–1957) was an Australian archeologist and
philologist. Childe used Marxist economics as a tool in distinguishing periods of
prehistory and in tracing the evolution of Western civilization.
Production is central to Marxist economics because it is the means by which
human living is maintained and sustained. It is through the process of production
where the bourgeoisie and the proletariat engage with one another and where
exploitation and oppression occur. Childe classified periods of prehistory through
their capacity to utilize the environment in food production processes. He
maintained that civilizations in those periods developed and evolved as they
gradually took control of their food production processes. To sustain their growing
population, hunter-gatherer civilizations turned into farming and by doing so
created different social classes in the process. The emergence of social classes
were primarily caused by the surplus in food production. Surplus allowed other
classes in society to expend efforts in other ventures such as metallurgy. Just as
machine enabled the expansion of the industrial revolution, new technologies such
as metallurgy allowed for sociocultural and economic revolutions in the prehistoric
ages.
Theodor Adorno
Theodor Adorno (1903–1969) was a German philosopher and sociologist.
His most notable work, Dialectics of Enlightenment (1944), was made in
collaboration with Marx Horkheimer (1895-1973) who was also a German
philosopher. In this collaborative work, capitalist ideology was seen as focusing on
commodities so that consumers would find necessity in buying material goods.
Marx called this effect of capitalist ideology as fetishism of commodities. Fetishism
commodities places value on consumerist goods by making the masses want and
desire to consume them. Taking the argument of Marx, Adorno applied this to the
state of capitalism in his time. Adorno argued that commodity fetishism has
reached beyond material goods and has touched different social institutions and
even academic disciplines. He explained that the process by which fetishism takes
hold is through reification, or the subjection of human beings to capitalist ideology.
Human minds are conditioned to accept ideology 17 without a second thought and
apply capitalist ideology in their daily lives. Thus, ideology becomes the driving
force in all human actions, as it provides the desire and the objects of desire while
taking for granted the desire for these objects were only made by the capitalist
system.
Slavoj Zizek
Slavoj Zizek (born 1949) is a Slovenian philosopher and a sociologist. Zizek
expounded on ideology and how it directly affected everyday reality. He argued
that reality is constructed by ideology itself. For Zizek, ideology is reflected in
ordinary language. Zizek explains that ideology blankets society with beliefs that
paradoxically have no believers. The Slovenian philosopher further elaborates on
how ideology is used by the capitalist to extract more profit from the masses;
however, Zizek points out that this extraction is now done in a more subtle way.
For example, some of today’s advertisements will say that there will be
beneficiaries (who are in desperate need of help) for every consumerist item that
is sold. The belief is that consumers do not mind buying expensive products if part
of the profit will be donated to a noble cause. For Zizek, such capitalist strategy is
how ideology works. A person knows for a fact that a certain object has a
particular value that may or may not be equal to its advertised value; however, he
or she still purchases it because every day ideology has made him or her believe
that the object is necessary in everyday living.
ESSENTIAL LEARNING
One of the most striking arguments against Marxism which captured the
patronage of a significant number of scholars and social advocates is the
pervading issue of social inequality that is being perpetuated by systems of
oppression based on capitalistic values. More than 167 years after its conception
and despite the criticisms against it, Marxism still appears to be influential because
the social realities that it portrayed are still prevalent. Today,
Marxism remains as a critical voice against forms of oppression relating to
economics and power. Marxism is a method of socioeconomic analysis that uses a
materialist interpretation of historical development, better known as historical
materialism, to understand class relations and social conflict as well as a dialectical
perspective to view social transformation.
The political and economic philosophy of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in
which the concept of class struggle plays a central role in understanding society's
allegedly inevitable development from bourgeois oppression under capitalism to a
socialist and ultimately classless society.
The key characteristics of Marxism in philosophy are its materialism and its
commitment to political practice as the end goal of all thought. The theory is also
about the hustles of the proletariat and their reprimand of the bourgeoisie.
Marxism was a critique of capitalism. Its original purpose was to steer society
away from the abusive, oppressive forms of class capitalism that were prevalent in
the 19th century and reassert more universal liberal principles.
What is It
Directions: Read the questions below, and answer them directly in your notebook.
What have I learned so far?
1. What is Marxism?
2. What social conditions predicted the development of this theory?
3. How is social inequality experienced in a capitalist society?
4. How does class conflict occur?
What’s More
What specific experience in your life do you think, reflected the basic principles of
Marxism?
What I Have Learned
Complete the statements below.
I have learned that ________________
I have realized that _________________
I will apply _________________________
What I Can Do
Explain the major events that occurred and its contribution of structural
functionalism theory.
Assessment
Direction: Read each item carefully and write T f the statement is true and write F
if the statement is false.
____1. The purpose of Marxism is to treat the economic status equally for every
individual in the society.
____2. Marxism delves into the relationship of the people with one another in the
context of production.
____3. Bourgeoisie refers to the owner of the factory or the capitalist.
____4. During the industrial revolution, the farmers improved the method of
farming in the society.
____5. Communist society is characterized by a classless society having common
ownership of property.
____6. The two industrial capitalism created in the society are bourgeoisie and
proletariat.
____7. Karl Marx advocated for a revolutionary consciousness to fight back
against the capitalist oppressors.
____8. Class Conflict arises from the oppression of the proletariat by the
bourgeoisie.
____9. The use of machinery equipment in the factory is an example of industrial
revolution.
____10. In the theory of Marxism, the capitalists are also the laborers or the ones
who work for the company.
____11. The theory of Karl Marx is in favor of the owner of the company.
____12. Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels’ core ideas were to have an unequal
economic status between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie.
____13. Industrial capitalism is the cycle of production and consumption continued
to create the economy.
____14. The communist society likes to have a common ownership of the property
and its resources.
____15. Social injustice, according to Marx, is to give the laborer a low wage
disproportionate to the work they provide.
LESSON 3: SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM
At the end of the module, you should be able to:
• Explain the theories on Symbolic Interactions.
• Analyze the basic concept and principles of symbolic interaction theory.
• Appreciate personal and social experiences using the symbolic interactions
theory.
What’s In
Marxism is the theory of Karl Marx which says that society's classes are
the cause of struggle and that society should have no classes. An example of
Marxism is replacing private ownership with co-operative ownership.
What’s New
SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM
Symbolic interactionism is a theory on society that focuses on the
individual’s interaction with objects and other people. It perceives reality through
the compositions of social interactions and the understanding of the meanings of
these social interactions that provide a perspective on social order and social
society. The basic premise of symbolic interactionism is that behavior is influenced
and can only be examined through social interactions. Consider the following, for
instance. The Filipino word for window is often thought of as bintana, which came
from the Spanish word ventana. For Spaniards, the window is associated with
ventilation, which allows cold air to circulate around the house and the hot air to
get out. However, for the Filipino the formal word for window is not bintana but
dungawan. For the Filipinos, the window is associated with something to look
outside on; but more than that, the dungawan is a place where Filipinos could
socialize at. Typically, an individual opens What’s In What’s New25 his or her
window to see the neighborhood, to greet people passing by, and to learn about
the latest news in town.
Key Concepts in Symbolic interaction
Interaction-based Meaning
It can be said that meaning is not monopolized by a single person or
perspective---something can have different meanings as there are different
perspectives. Actions are determined by the meanings people’s association of
meanings. As meaning changes, so does society. Even interactions with the
environment are only done through the meanings assigned to them. A tree can be
perceived as a source of shade during hot days, or as means to produce a
thousand sheets of paper. Symbolic interaction sees reality not just as meanings
but sees meanings as constitutive of reality itself. Hence, culture, science, society,
and mathematics to name a few are only as real as the meanings assigned to
them.
Human Agency
Humans are perceived to be active social actors who willingly negotiate
their roles and identities within and through the system. This concept emphasizes
the capacity of humans to project and plan their actions based on certain goals
formed for the betterment of their conditions. Hence, despite the impositions of a
greater structure, the individual can be seen as an active player in the
interpretation and modification of the structure’s rules and processes.
Important Theorists
Herbert Blumer
Herbert Blumer (1900–1987) was an American sociologist who coined the
term symbolic interactionism. A central idea to Blumer’s works is that social reality
is in a continuous process of creation. This idea stems from the notion that social
interactions happen in a society at a given place and time. It follows that social
reality is in a constant process of creation and reinvention.
Symbolic interactionism, for Blumer, has three basic premises:
1. “Humans act toward things on the basis of the basis of the perceived
goal. An individual ascribes a meaning to a particular goal and this affects his or
her actions toward achieving it.
2. “the meanings of things derive from social interaction”. The meanings
ascribed by individuals to things are formed from their interaction with society. In
a sense, the individual accepts the meanings of things given by society.
3. “These meanings are handled in, and modified through, an
interpretative process used by the person in dealing with the things he or she
encounters.” Meanings are in a constant flux; they are evolving each time
interaction takes place and each time an individual reflects on these interactions.
Although the interpretation of things and the corresponding meanings produced
are internal and subjective, elements which formed the meanings are highly social
and come from interactions. As such, the creation of meaning requires, in some
level, conformity to the generally established meaning assigned by society.
In social perspective, meaning is subject to negotiation in order to reach a
consensus of a mutually understood meaning. Adjustments to personally derived
meanings must be made in order to address another individual in a social
interaction. This adjustment is done through the process of role play. Role play, in
this context, is the ability to perceive the object of conversation through the eyes
of the other. In doing so, it allows for a better consensus on what the object
means, thereby allowing a better understanding of what the general meaning of
the object is. Without a consensus, the object would remain distant to both
individuals in a dialog, inasmuch as it becomes a limiting force in the force in the
process of understanding each other.
George Herbert Mead
George Herbert Mead (1836–1931) was an American sociologist,
philosopher, and psychologist, considered as one of the founders of social
psychology. Mead developed a theory of the social self, which interprets the self as
emerging from social interactions. Mead’s three activities are language, play, and
games.
Language allows communication through which attitudes, opinions,
emotions, and ideas are conveyed between individuals. Language also allows
individuals to respond to each other using symbols, gestures, and sounds. For
Mead, the use of language enables the individual to understand and internalize the
opinions of others about him or her. Play, on the other hand, allows an individual
to act in another role or capacity, or what is commonly referred to as role play.
Role play is important as it makes the individual confine his or her actions by the
expected roles assigned to him or her. Play enables the self to internalize his or
her roles and assume the expectations derived from such roles. Lastly, games
allow an individual to act within the confines imposed by the rules of activity. They
also allow an individual to know when to bend the rules or to completely break
them. Games allow an individual to internalize and acquire knowledge of societal
rules, which are essential in order to live in a society.
Charles Horton Cooley
Charles Horton Cooley (1864–1929) was an American sociologist whose
main contribution in the field was the study of primary groups. He coined and
defined primary group as the first group where a person belongs, and where the
individual develops his or her ideas, beliefs, values, and self. Based on the given
definition, one will instinctively think of the family as his or her primary group. The
family, being the 27 first primary group, influences the way a person thinks and
the way he or she relates to others.
Cooley’s most famous theory of self is the looking-glass self in which the
self is understood as that which is formed from interactions, such as those done
with the primary group. The looking-glass self is the process by which self-
consciousness emerges through the lens of the other.
 others. The view of social behavior emphasizes linguistic or gestural
Harold Garfinkeld communication and its subjective 28 understanding, especially the role of
Harold Garfinkeld (1917–2011) was an American sociologist and language in the formation of the child as a social being.
ethnomethodologist. Unlike other sociologist theories, the aim of Symbolic interactionism is viewing society as composed of symbols that
ethnomethodology is not the analysis of society, but the methods, procedures, and people use to establish meaning, develop views about the world, and
practices by which members of society use to make sense out of the world. communicate with one another. We are thinking beings who act according to how
Ethnomethodology is sometimes related to the theory of common sense, as its we interpret situations.
main focus of study is the everyday interactions of people through the use of What is it
symbols, language, gestures, and emotions, which enable the construction of a Answer the following questions:
meaningful social order. An example of an everyday act which requires only What have I learned so far?
common sense is having a telephone conversation. Because there are no visual 1. What is symbolic interactionism?
cues to help, the flow or delivery of communication is key to have a proper 2. What are your experience that could relate the theory of symbolic
conversation. interactionism?
Unlike traditional sociology, ethnomethodology is not an analysis of What’s more
society. It does not provide a theory by which the society can achieve social What specific experience in your life that shows the basic principles of the
stability or social unity. Rather, it allows social stability, unity and order by looking symbolic interaction theory?
into society’s individual members and how each one performs. One method used
in ethnomethodology is termed as first time through, which refers to the practice
What I Have Learned
of describing social activities as if being witnessed for the first time. The purpose
Complete the statements below.
of the first time through method is to allow the observer to be better in framing
I have learned that ________________
social activities, as it would require intense reflection on his or her part to actually
I have realized that _________________
conduct.
I will apply _________________________
Deviation from social norms elicits bewilderment, and in most cases, a
negative response from the other. For Garfinkeld, social order is constructed using
common sense or the consensually accepted practices of society for given social What I Can Do
interactions and events. As such, social order is not something which naturally Explain the major events and its contribution of Marxism in the society.
occurs, but is more of a social accomplishment. Hence, members of society must
be taught common rules agreed upon and these rules must be practiced in their Assessment
daily lives. When a common-sense rule works, then it is repeated to achieve social Direction: Read each item carefully and put your answer on the space provided
order. before the number. Write T f the statement is true and write F if the statement is
ESSENTIAL LEARNING false.
The theory of symbolic interactionism relies heavily on the qualitative ____1. Symbolic interaction cannot be applied in other subject areas.
approach to research, as it aims to make sense of human behavior through the ____2. As time goes by window is not only for ventilation but also for socializing
social circles that an individual interacts with. The theory is highly relevant in with others.
providing context to how we acquire our behaviors and the importance of social ____3. Communication and interactions defined social reality.
groups in the formation of the self. ____4. Games are one way of socializing with others. This allows an individual to
Symbolic interactionism is a sociological theory that develops from internalize and acquire knowledge of societal roles.
practical considerations and alludes to people's particular utilization of dialect to ____5. As humans, it is natural for each individual to have different reactions to
make images and normal implications, for deduction and correspondence with the things surrounding them.
____6. Reactions can sometimes cause conflict.
____7. Interactions are important between people, especially when providing
meaning to things around us.
____8. Charles Horton Cooley is a German sociologist.
____9. Interaction with the things around us are based on the society we grew
up.
____10 Roleplaying enables the self to internalize his or her roles and assume the
expectations of such roles.
____11. Social networks are responsible for creating the social self.
____12. Symbolic interactionism is viewing society as composed of symbols that
people use to establish meaning, develop views about the world, and
communicate with one another.
____13. Individuals are capable of making their own realities apart from structural
pressures.
____14. Symbolic interaction is the social dynamics of people on how they give
meaning to things.
____15. Ventana is a Spanish word which means ventilation or allows the cold air
to circulate inside the house and the hot air to get out.