SOCIAL PARADIGMS

• THEORY: A statement of how and why facts are related

• PARADIGM: A set of fundamental assumptions that guide
thinking

DOW
N
WITH
PEOP PEOPLE HOLD DIFFERING
LE
OPINIONS ABOUT THEIR
W ITH SOCIAL WORLD
UP LE
OP
PE WE ALL COME FROM
DIFFERENT SOCIAL
EXPERIENCES AND THEY
BIAS OUR ASSUMPTIONS
 Major Theoretical Perspectives
Theory View of Society
Functionalism Composed of interrelated parts
that work together to maintain
stability
Conflict Society is characterized by social
inequality; social life is a struggle
for scarce resources

Symbolic Interactionism Behavior is learned in interaction

with other people

•Which one is best?

Major Theoretical Perspectives:
Functionalism
•How is social order maintained?
• Subsystems/institutions have functions; mutually
interdependent
• Concern for social order, stability, and
integration
•What function does this play?
•Manifest and Latent functions
•Dysfunctions
•Social change occurs through evolution
 Major Theoretical Perspectives:
Functionalism
Robert K Merton (1967) distinguished between
two types of function that contribute to
smooth operation of society;
•Manifest Function- A part’s intended or
anticipated effects on order and stability-
clearly stated
•Latent Function- Unconscious, unintended,
unanticipated or hidden effects on order and
stability
Example: The manifest function of a car is speedy
transport to desired location. Latent function would be
it representing social status or wealth or lack thereof
Education….
 Major Theoretical Perspectives:
Functionalism
•Example of Functionalism;
•Herbert Gans study (1972): “Why does
poverty exist?”
•Critique of Functionalism
•Defends existing arrangements, despite
their being problematic
•Parts do not necessarily exist to
perform a function. Sometimes place
and function for them deliberately
placed in society- such as production of
car and the resulting government
expenditure on paved roads.
 Slide 6

McGraw-Hill © 2006 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

•THE BASICS:
•A macro-oriented paradigm
•Views society as a structured system based
on inequality
•Social Conflict between groups over scarce
resources is the norm

•KEY ELEMENTS:
•Society is structured in ways to benefit a few
at the expense of the majority
•Variables such as race, sex, class, and age are
linked to Social Inequality
•Dominant group VS. minority group relations
• Incompatible interests and major differences
THE CONFLICT
PARADIGM
 SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM
SYMBOLIC INTERACTION IS A MICRO-ORIENTED PARADIGM,
WHICH MEANS IT IS EFFECTIVELY USED WHEN ATTEMPTING
TO UNDERSTAND SMALLER-SCALE SOCIAL PHENOMENA
• BASICS:
• The view that society is the product of everyday
interactions
• How, and in what way, do people interpret and
negotiate their surroundings?
• Through SYMBOL- any kind of physical phenomenon
to which people assign a name, meaning or value.
• PRINCIPLES:
• Society is a complex mosaic of understanding that
emerges from the very process of interacting
 THINK IN TERMS OF FAMILY,
THE ECONOMY, RELIGION, THE
LEGAL SYSTEM, AND SCHOOL

THINK IN TERMS OF LAWS,

VALUES, NORMS, TRADITIONS,
SOCIAL EXPECATIONS, ROLES,
STATUSES, AND BELIEF
SYSTEMS.
SHOULD BE ABLE
TO SEE THE CONNECTION
BETWEEN BIOGRAPHY AND
HISTORY!