Concepts and Principles

of the Social Science

Theories

Presented by: GROUP 2

STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALISM

• is a framework for building theory that sees

society as a complex system whose parts
work together to promote solidarity and
stability.
According to functionalism:

Society is a system of
interconnected parts that work
together in harmony to
maintain a state of balance and
social equilibrium for the whole.
 STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALISM
ROBERT MERTON identified two types of functions,
the manifest function, and the latent function

MANIFEST FUNCTION are consequences that are intended and

commonly recognized.

latent FUNCTION are consequences that are unintended

and often hidden.
Concepts of Structural - Functionalism

Collective Conscience and Value Consensus • understanding what makes society

work
• Collective Consciousness
• A group’s or society’s commonly shared fundamental beliefs,
customs, norms, and values.
• Examples of Collective Consciousness
• Gender norms concerning how people dress and act.
• Laws that socialize people into what is “right and wrong” in their
society.
• Rituals, such as parades for holidays and weddings.
 Social four basic needs are essential for maintaining social order. They are:
Order • food, shelter, money and clothing

Functionalism • The functionalist theory of education focuses on how education serves the
and needs of society through development of skills, encouraging social cohesion
Education and sorting of students. According to functionalists, the role of schools is to
prepare students for participation in the institutions of society.

Functionalism • Functionalists believe that the family is an institution that contributes towards
and society by reproducing the next generation, socialising them, and meeting each
Family family member's needs.
Functionalism and Media • The media operate in the public interest by reflecting the
interests of the audience. It portrays public opinion.
• The media understands that society has a wide diversity of
culture and this is shown by the different amounts of series as it
covers.

Functionalism and Crime • Crime and deviance are socially constructed - they are not
and Deviance natural, obvious, or theologically inspired categories.
• They are concepts that were brought into the world solely by
humankind.
 STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALISM

CONFORMITY
INNOVATION
RITUALISM
RETREATISM
REBELLION
MARXISM
The political and economic theories of Karl Marx
and Friedrich Engels, later developed by their
followers to form the basis for the theory and
practice communism.
KARL MARX (1888- 1883) wrote the COMMUNIST MANIFESTO
(1848) that shows the basic struggle between classes and
recommends action against 'specter' of capitalism (1867)
FRIEDRICH ENGELS (1820- 1895) -FATHER OF MARXIST
THEORY -together with Karl Marx. He wrote DAS KAPITAL.
MARXISM
Marxism focuses on the struggle between capitalists and working class.

Marx wrote that the power relationships between capitalists and workers
were inherently exploitative and would inevitably create class conflict.

He believed that this conflict would ultimately lead to revolution in which

the working class would overthrow the capitalist class and seize control of
the economy.
SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM
Symbolic interactionism is a sociological theory that develops
from practical considerations and suggests to people's particular
utilization of dialect to make images and normal implications, for
deduction and correspondence with others.

This perspective relies on the symbolic meaning that people develop and build upon
in the process of social interaction. The interpretation process that occurs between
interactions helps create and recreate meaning. It is the shared understanding and
interpretations of meaning that affect the interaction between individuals.
SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM
Symbolic interaction was conceived by
GEORGE HERBERT MEAD.
Symbolic interactionism is a theoretical approach
to understanding the relationship between
humans and society. The basic notion of symbolic
interactionism is that human action and
interaction are understandable only through the
exchange of meaningful communication or
symbols.
SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM
The Three Basic Premises by HERBERT BLUMER (1969)

"Humans act toward things based on the meaning

they describe to those things."

"The meaning of such things is derived from the

social interaction that one has with others and
society."
"These meanings are handled in, and modified
through, an interpretative process used by the
person in dealing with the things he/she
encounters."
SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES BACKGROUND FOCUS

Interconnected relationship between

Structural Robert Merton the parts of society;
What aspects of society are
Functionalism
functional.

Marxism Karl Marx and Friedrich Examines the effect of capitalism on labor,
productivity and economic development and

Engel's argues for a worker revolution to overturn

capitalism in favor of communism

Symbolic George Herbert Mead, Use of symbols;

Social Interaction
Interactionism Herbert Blumer Face to face interactions