Question

1) List, define and provide examples for each of the (3) major theoretical approaches in sociology.

2) How might you apply the (3) approaches to social patterns in college?

Answer 1

1) The three mazor theoretical approaches in sociology are - The symbolic interactionist perspective, the functionalist perspective and the conflict perspective.

According to the symbolic interactionist perspective, people attach meanings to symbols, and then they act according to their subjective interpretation of these symbols. For example verbal conversations, in which spoken words serve as the predominant symbols, make this subjective interpretation especially evident.

According to the functionalist perspective, also called functionalism, each aspect of society is interdependent and contributes to society's functioning as a whole. For example the government, or state, provides education for the children of the family, which in turn pays taxes on which the state depends to keep itself running. The family is dependent upon the school to help children grow up to have good jobs so that they can raise and support their own families.

The conflict perspective focuses on the negative, conflicted, and ever‐changing nature of society. Social conflict between any groups in which the potential for inequality exists: racial, gender, religious, political, economic are examples of this approach.

2) In college we see people interpreting the meaning according to their subjective thoughts, where the first approach comes up. We also contribute to the society in college life by studying and then becoming law abiding citizens thus following second approach. However, college is the place where most of the conflicts take place. Different social background of people creates differences in thoughts and opinions and often that leads to conflicts.