Question

Define Functionalism, Conflict Theory and Symbolic Interactionism.

Identify the sociologists most closely related to each. (for example: Conflict Theory = Marx)

Describe why you are going to college. What are your goals?

Apply Functionalism to education.

Answer 1

According to functionalism, society is a system of interconnected parts that work together in harmony to maintain a state of balance and social equilibrium. The functionalist perspective is based largely on the works of Herbert Spencer, Emile Durkheim, Talcott Parsons, and Robert Merton. Functionalists believe that without collective conscience/ shared values and beliefs, achieving social order is impossible and social order is crucial for the well-being of society. For functionalist, consensus forms the basic integrating principle in society.

Conflict theory views social life as a competition due to limited resources. It focuses on the distribution of resources, power, and inequality. Karl Marx is considered the father of social conflict theory. For conflict theorist also called Marxist, individuals and groups or social classes within society interact on the basis of conflict rather than consensus.

According to the theory of symbolic interactionism, people act toward things based on the meaning those things have for them; and these meanings are derived from social interaction and modified through interpretation. For symbolic interactionists, society is a product of everyday social interactions of individuals. Symbolic interactionists also study how people use symbols to create meaning. Symbolic Interactionism was propounded by Herbert Blumer (1969), a student and interpreter of G.H. Mead.

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