Various theoretical views in sociology present different frameworks for understanding society. This paper compares three central theoretical constructs within Sociology: structural functionalism, social conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. Additionally, to that the paper will offer a summary overview of some essential thoughts by an exceptional thinker; while Emile Durkheim, Max Weber, and Karl Marx are of utmost importance in this subject matter, we’ll present further details outside of lecture notes or textbook that can aid in better understanding.
A Comparison of Sociological Perspectives
In line with the structural functionalism outlook on society, it consists of intricate components that rely on one another and function cohesively to maintain societal balance. Maintaining social stability and cohesiveness depends on the impact of various activities carried out by social institutions (Kelleher,2020). This point of view maintains that every organization serves a distinct purpose in how our society operates
Social Conflict Theory
In line with the social conflict theory’s assertion that society is marked by uneven resource allocation and power, which leads to socioeconomic inequalities, the focus here is on the struggle for prestige and resources among various groups due to social inequality dynamics (Fournier, 2023). Power dynamics are considered essential for understanding how social interactions and systems are established according to this perspective
The Symbolic Interactionist Point of View
Influencing human behavior and society is primarily attributed to symbols and interactions according to the point of view of symbolic interactionism. The importance of social interactions and shared understanding in constructing reality is stressed. This approach explores how individuals understand symbols and why they assign specific meanings to them to determine how it influences their behaviors and interactions.
Emile Durkheim’s Contributions in Brief
Through his work and dedication to sociology, Emile Durkheim became an important figure and significantly contributed to its development. He found himself drawn to exploring social facts -the truths underlying human interaction; questions surrounding collective identity amidst differences underlie his work, including questions around religious affiliation. As per Durkheim’s theory, societal norms like regulations, principles, and frameworks play a significant role in shaping an individual’s actions affecting the entire community (Fournier, 2023). Moreover, the value of social connectivity and coherence in advancing societal well-being was emphasized by him.
“Anomie” refers to where individuals feel disconnected from society due to a lack of social regulation and is among Durkheim’s most important concepts (Kelleher,2020). The investigation considered how chaotic conditions may result from the emergence of anomie due to rapid changes in modern-day civilizations leading to societal disruption and personal unhappiness.
Durkheim investigated suicide extensively to determine what societal reasons might underlie this act. According to his findings, there is a correlation between suicide rates and certain societal factors like social integration and control. The framework for investigating the communal elements of one’s actions was established by Durkheim through his suicide research which included an analysis of religious implications, among other things (Fournier, 2023). In his view, religion is instrumental in creating social harmony by providing a source of collective awareness and shared ideals.
The examination of society is made possible through the diverse frameworks provided by Social Conflict Theory, Symbols Interactionist, and Structural Functionalism. The work done by Emile Durkheim surrounding social facts and suicide rates, along with the impact that religion has had on societies, has been pivotal to sociology. By studying the effects of social integration, he discovered how anomie and collective awareness impact individuals and society. Moreover, human social behavior, along with social structures, can be better understood by studying various perspectives as well as thinkers.
References
Fournier, M. (2023). Book Review of P. Smith’s Durkheim and After: Smith, P.(2020) Durkheim and After: The Durkheimian Tradition, 1893-2020. Cambridge: Polity. American Journal of Cultural Sociology, 1-13.
Kelleher, A. (2020). The unobtrusive researcher: A guide to methods. Routledge.
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-sociology-3e/pages/1-3-theoretical-perspectives-in-sociology
write