Question

Please define each of the three classical sociological theories. How does each one see society (what is each one’s perspective on society).

Answer 1

The three classical sciological theories are as follows:

i) Functionalist perspective theory: According to this theory, there are several parts in the society and they are interconnected with each other which leads to balance and solidarilty as a whole.

Perspective of this theory- The perspective of the theory is that it looks at the society as a complex order through a macro level adaptation. Its shows that how the different elements of the society which are connected influences and gets influenced by each other. According to the functionalist if there is a positive contribution in the society by the elements that leads to sability then the society is regareded as function and if there is imbalance is the society then it is refered as disfuctional.

ii) Conflict perspective theory: This theory is about the limited resources in the society and the competition to get them.

Perspective of this theory- This theory shows the power and dominace of a section of the society that have benifits throught different arrangements. In the society from the viewpoint of conflict theory, conflict is seen as a normal element in the society that is need to grab the limited resources that is seen between the different classes of people of the society.

iii) Symbolic interactionist peresective theroy: This theory is about the interaction and communication among the social beings of the society i.e the humans as it helps in the changes in the scoiety. The intrecation is done by languages, symbols and their meaning; and the way the individual thinks.

Perspective of this theory- The perspective of the theory is that for the development in the society there must be on going interaction between the humans who are regared as the social actors. The society here is regarded as a product which is the outcome due to the interaction in the society.