In: Psychology
Apply each of the three theoretical perspectives (Functionalist, Conflict, and Symbolic Interaction) to the following question:
Why do people accumulate debt for winter holiday gifts, when they cannot afford it? Make sure you respond to each of the three perspectives.
Note: This response is in UK English, please paste the response to MS Word and you should be able to spot discrepancies easily. You may elaborate the answer based on personal views or your classwork if necessary.
(Answer) Functionalist Interaction – Social order is possible and social order remains stable when elements of the society form a framework that is functional. This is why individuals exchange unaffordable gifts at Christmas so that the functional social order can be maintained.
Conflict Interaction – In accordance with this theory, the individuals within a society indulge in activities that they cannot afford simply because society demands it of them but society does not really offer them a means to easily achieve these demands.
Symbolic Interaction – Social interaction is open to interpretations which are expressed through their own symbols. For instance, give giving symbolises the social relationships and the festivities of the season and hence unaffordable gifts are exchanged for the sake of the symbol it carries.