SOCIOLOGY-I

Integrated Programme in Management/Law

Maxim Gatskov, Dipl.-Ped., M.A.

Session 6-7

CLASSICAL THEORETICAL APPROACHES

12 September 2022
Disambiguation
“Sociological imagination” = Sociological perspective

The term “sociological imagination” was coined by the American

sociologist C. Wright Mills in his 1959 book The Sociological Imagination
to describe the type of insight offered by the discipline of sociology. The
term is used in introductory textbooks in sociology to explain the nature
of sociology and its relevance in daily life.

To analyze society from a sociological perspective means seeing the general in

the particular, to recognize typical patterns in the behavior of individuals.

The sociological imagination/perspective is the practice of being able to

“think ourselves away” (distance ourselves) from the familiar routines of our
daily lives to look at them with fresh, critical eyes (strange in the familiar).

“Sociological” as compared with perspectives of other social sciences.

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Disambiguation
“Sociological imagination” = Sociological perspective

Classical theoretical approaches = Theories = Paradigms ≠ Perspectives

1. (Structural) Functionalism
2. Conflict theory
3. Symbolic interactionism

Other approaches: “Critical theory”, Feminism, Postcolonialism,

Postmodernism, “Systems theory”, “Discourse theory” etc.

Not “theories” → approaches, or “middle-range theories”

within general (analytical) sociological theory

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(Structural) Functionalism
A. Comte, (H. Spencer), É. Durkheim, R. Merton, T. Parsons

Views society as a complex system/structure of interdependent parts

(institutions) that work together to ensure survival.

Each institution fulfills a certain function.

Functions ― purposes and activities that contribute to a society’s

stability and survival.

Dysfunctions have a negative impact on a society. E.g.: religious

intolerance leading to wars and terrorist attacks is an example of a
dysfunction.

Manifest functions: Intended and recognized purposes and activities.

Latent functions: Unintended or unrecognized purposes and activities.

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(Structural) Functionalism
A manifest function of college education, for example, includes gaining
knowledge, preparing for a career, and finding a good job that utilizes
that education.

Latent functions of your college years include meeting new people,

participating in extracurricular activities, or even finding a spouse or
partner.
Another latent function of education is creating a
hierarchy of employment based on the level of
education attained. Latent functions can be
beneficial, neutral, or harmful.

É. Durkheim: Religion ensures social

cohesion/solidarity. (both mechanic and organic)

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(Structural) Functionalism
K. Marx:
Faith in God
helps to “understand” the world
(manifest)
alleviates suffering
(latent)
prevents people from realizing
that the social order is unjust
(dysfunction)

É. Durkheim: Religion ensures social

cohesion/solidarity. (both mechanic and organic)

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Manifest & latent functions
School uniform
➢ manifest functions
➢ latent functions
➢ dysfunctions

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“Conflict theory”
K. Marx, M. Weber

Social dynamics are determined by competition for limited (economic)

resources and (political) power.
Most important sources of inequality/conflict: control over the means of
production, gender, ethnicity, age.
Feminist version of the conflict theory (over)emphasizes women’s
social, economic, and political inequality.
“Frankfurt school” critically analyzes capitalist, fascist, communist
regimes, focusing on how this social systems exert pressure on people
and their freedom
Postcolonialism is a critical-theory analysis of the history, culture,
literature, and discourse of (usually European) imperial power.

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Symbolic Interactionism
M. Weber, G.H. Mead, H. Blumer, E. Goffman

Symbolic interactionism is a micro-level perspective that examines

everyday behavior as process of communication of knowledge, beliefs,
and attitudes, and playing roles.

Individuals constantly adjust their behavior according to their social

environment, which consists of symbols.

Symbols/signs: words, gestures, or pictures that stand for something.

“Playing roles” means to know the script of how to behave as a

daughter, student, visitor of a fast-food restaurant, visitor of the
Oktoberfest (beer festival), church etc.

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Symbolic Interactionism

 Words are labels for

meanings/experiences

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Symbolic Interactionism

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Symbols of Gender

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Symbolic Interactionism
Stanford prison experiment (Philip Zimbardo, 1971)
was designed to examine the effects of situational variables on
participants’ reactions and behaviors in a two-week simulation of a
prison environment. Over the first five days, psychological abuse of the
“prisoners” by the “guards” became increasingly brutal and the
experiment had to be stopped for ethical reasons.

“Thomas Theorem”
If men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences.

The definition of the situation is a fundamental concept in symbolic

interactionism. It involves a proposal upon the characteristics of a social
situation (e.g. norms, values, authority, participants’ roles), and seeks
agreement from others in a way that can facilitate social cohesion and
social action.
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Capitalism

Theoretical
Key Points
approach

Capitalism benefits society; work provides an income,

Functionalist structures people's lives, and gives them a sense of
accomplishment.
Capitalism enables the rich to exploit other groups; most
Conflict jobs are low-paying, monotonous, and alienating;
productivity isn't always rewarded.
How people define and experience work in their everyday
Symbolic
lives affects their workplace behavior and relationships
Interactionist with coworkers and employers.

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Religion

Theoretical
Key Points
approach

Religion benefits society by providing a sense of belonging,

Functionalist identity, meaning, emotional comfort, and social control
over deviant behavior.
Religion promotes and legitimates social inequality,
approves/accepts controversy and violence between
groups, and justifies oppression of poor people.
Conflict
Feminist: Religion subordinates women, excludes them from
decision-making positions, and legitimizes patriarchal control of
society.
Religion provides meaning and sustenance in everyday life
Symbolic
through symbols, rituals, and beliefs, and binds people
Interactionist together in a physical and spiritual community.

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Education

Theoretical
Key Points
approach

Contributes to society’s stability, solidarity, and cohesion

Functionalist
and provides opportunities for upward mobility.

Reproduces and reinforces inequality and maintains a rigid

Conflict
social class structure.

Symbolic Teaches roles and values through everyday face-to-face

Interactionist interaction and behavior.

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Family

Theoretical
Key Points
approach

Families are important in maintaining social stability and

Functionalist
meeting family members’ needs.

Families promote social inequality because of class

differences.
Conflict
Feminist: Families both mirror and perpetuate patriarchy and
gender inequality.

Symbolic Families construct their everyday lives through interaction

Interactionist and subjective interpretations of family roles.

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Sources for follow-up learning
YOUTUBE: Crash Course Sociology #2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylXVn-
wh9eQ&list=PLH2l6uzC4UEX9UzR1bVkK128tLSlzGkt0
#2 Major Sociological Paradigms

TEXTBOOK: OpenStax. Introduction to Sociology. 3rd Ed. 2021

https://openstax.org/books/introduction-sociology-3e/pages/3-
introduction
Chapter 1, Section 1.3
1.3. Theoretical perspectives in Sociology
Chapter 15, Section 15.1
15.1. The sociological approach to religion

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