Functionalist Perspective And Conflict Perspective (Essay Sample)

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Sociology
Functionalist perspective
The functionalist perspective is primarily based on the theoretical works of Emile Durkheim. Durkheim was a French sociologist whose social theories rose eminence in the late 19th and 20th centuries. Durkheim is well-known as being one of the primary originators of modern sociology. Chief among his works is functionalism theory whereby he argues that the society is a system of interrelated sections that function together in cohesion to uphold a state of balance and communal equilibrium for the whole society (Andersen, Margaret L, and Howard F. Taylor, 281). Emile Durkheim here lays emphasis on the interconnectedness of the society by stressing on how each subsection affects and is affected by others in the same setting. Besides, he uses the terminologies like functional and dysfunctional to explain the impact of social elements in s typical society. According to him, social features are described as functional if they contribute to communal solidarity and dysfunctional if they interrupt societal stability
Conflict perspective
The foundation of conflict theory can be traced to the prominent works of Karl Marx, a popular Germany sociologist and revolutionary socialist. However, he became statelessness and spent much of his life in England where he enhanced his thought and published several works, collectively called Marxism. Among the famous sociological schools of thought by Marx is the conflict theory where he views the society is composed of different individuals and interests conflicting for scarce resources and power (Inderbitzin, Michelle L, Kristin A. Bates, and Randy R. Gainey, 377). Marx explains various parts of the societal world by looking at which subsections tend to have inordinate power and benefit from a given social arrangement. In addition, this theorist suggests that all societies go through various phases of economic development, progressing from agricultural to industrial. He points out that industrialization leads to social classes composed of the "haves" and the "have-nots," the bourgeoisie and the proletariat respectively.
Symbolic Interactionism Perspective
Unlike the above social perspectives describing the broad aspects of the society and how they affect the social world, Symbolic Interactionism Perspective is called macro sociology since it views the big picture of society and explains how societal challenges are affected at the utilitarian level. This level of sociological analysis by early sociologists such as Simmel, Cooley and Goffman suggests that peoples' behavior is influenced by explanations and meanings that are generated and upheld through symbolic interrelations with one another. This theory stresses on the significance of definitions and meanings on individuals' behavior and its consequences in the society as a whole. The theorists argue that people tend to respond to their meanings and interpretations of a particular condition instead of the impartial condition itself (Reynolds, Larry T, and Nancy J. Herman-Kinney, 285).
Feminist theory
Feminism theory is among the earliest motions influenced by the theoretical works of Max Weber on the subject of social research. Weber is a German sociologist whose concepts significantly influenced social theories as well as social research for instance feminism movement. There are various categories of feminist theories, but the commonest ones are the liberal feminism which argues for a gradual transformation in the responsibilities of women and the Marxist feminism which views gender and c...