The document outlines several major theoretical perspectives in sociology including functionalism, conflict theory, and interactionism. Functionalism views society as a system whose parts work together to promote stability and solidarity. Conflict theory assumes social behavior arises from competition for limited resources. Interactionism examines everyday social interactions and symbols to explain broader social patterns and institutions.

1. Major Theoretical
Perspectives

2. Functionalist Perspective
 Emphasizes the way that parts of society
are structured to maintain its stability
 This approach holds that if an aspect of
social life does not contribute to society’s
stability or survival- if it serves no func tio n
or promote value consensus among
members of society- it will not be passed
on from one generation to the next.

3. Manifest and Latent Functions
 Manifest : Open , stated, and conscious
function
 Latent: unconscious or unintended
function; hidden purpose

4. Dysfunctions
 This refers to an element or a process of
society that may actually disrupt a social
system or lead to decrease in stability

5. Conflict Perspective
 Assumes that social behavior is best
understood in terms of conflict or tension
between competing groups
 Conflict however need not be violent

6. The Marxist View
 Marx: struggle between social classes is
inevitable, given the exploitation of
workers under capitalism
 Social scientists have come to see conflict
not merely as a class phenomenon but as
part of the everyday life in all societies.

7.  Conflict theorists are interested in how
society’s institutions may help to maintain
the privileges of some groups and keep
others in subservient position.
 Their emphasis on social change and
redistribution of resources makes them
more “radical” and “activist” than
functionalism.

8. An African American View
 W.E.B. Du Bois:
- First black to receive a doctorate from
Harvard University
- Challenged the status quo in both
academic and political circles

9. -Later helped organize the National
Association for the Advancement of
Colored People ( NAACP )
- He believed that knowledge was essential
in combating prejudice and achieving
tolerance and justice

10. -Sociology he says should draw on scientific
principles to study social problems….
- His contribution was his in-depth studies
of urban life- both white and black

11. The Feminist View
 Embraced in the 1970s
 This view sees inequity in gender as
central to all behavior and organization
 Contemporary feminist theorists often view
women’s subordination as inherent in
capitalist societies

12.  Radical feminist theorists view the
oppression of women as inevitable in all
male-dominated societies
 Ida Wells-Barnett:
-became an advocate of women’s right
campaigns especially the struggle to win
the vote for women

13. - She researched what it meant to be a
female and black living in the United
States
- Her work established her as one of the
earliest feminist theorists

14. Interactionist Perspective
 This approach generalizes about
everyday forms of social interaction in
order to explain society as a whole.
 Sometimes referred to as symbolic
interactionist perspective because
symbols are important human
communication…nonverbal
communication.

15.  George Herbert Mead:
- Widely regarded as founder of interactionist
perspective
- Taught in University of Chicago
- He was interested in in observing the most minute
forms of communication and in understanding how
such individual behavior was influenced by the
larger context of a group or society.

16.  Erving Goffman:
- Popularized a type of interactionist method
known as dramaturgical approach which
examines people as if they were theatrical
performers.