WEEK 3:

Using The
ory and
Concepts.
Sarah.ken
nedy.2009
@nuim.ie
Sarahkenn
edytutoria
ls.blogspo
Ofce Hou
t.com
r Tues @
10 (B2/B4
).

Functionalism (Durkheim,
Parsons)
0 Various components of society work together to

contribute to the health of the system to achieve

balance.
0 Some positions within the system are more
important for the survival of society.
0 The most functionally important positions must be
filled by the most qualified people higher rewards
encourage individuals to invest in the training etc.
0 Inequality is a result of society allocating greater
rewards to the most crucial positions.
0 Inequality is inevitable as it contributes positively
to the functioning of societies.

Conflict Theory (Marx, C.W. Mills,

Critical Theorists, Bourdieu)
0 Different groups struggle over societal resources and

compete for advantages e.g. power and economic, social,

political resources.
0 Inequality is a result of a system of domination and
subordination where those with the most resources
control others.
0 Most powerful use their resources to reproduce their
position and maintain advantages.
0 Elites shape societal beliefs and laws to make their
unequal privilege seem fair and legitimate.
0 There is reduced mobility because the less privileged are
denied the same opportunities.
0 The most vital jobs in society that sustain life and quality
of life are often the least rewarded.

Examples
0 Civil Law
0 Functionalists: A way to create shared meaning and social
integration.
0 Conflict Theorists: A means to uphold and define a particular
social order that benefits some at the expense of others.
0 Academic Qualification:
0 Functionalists: Increasing requirements for MAs is to ensure the
most highly trained and most appropriate people fill certain
positions.
0 Conflict Theorists: Means of maintaining power when secondlevel education became almost universal 3 rd level became more
important, now that 3rd level qualifications are increasing, so is
the requirement for MAs.
0 Colonialism
0 Functionalists: Civilizing, modernizing
0 Conflict Theorists: Struggle for power, and resources

Applying Funtionalism/Conflict Theory Guidelines:

http://people.uncw.edu/pricej/teaching/methods/chapter2.3.pdf

In construction where the Irish tend to be louder and a bit harsh at times that kind of
approach does not work in Sweden.

The Irish sense of humour is sadly not appreciated everywhere in the world and sarcasm
goes over everyones head immediately.

While working abroad obviously has its financial perks the same sense of community and
team work isnt present. I think this is due to the hierarchy within organisations being a lot
more visible here. For example there is no such thing as asking the person beside you for
help they go straight up the ladder and this causes unease; the person that they deem the
most important is the only person who they will listen to.

The working hours are needless to say very different also. In Ireland we are used to a
system of clock in clock out and the minimum amount of hours would usually be 10 every
day and 8 on a Friday.

Overtime does not exist in Sweden and the difference in attitude to work can cause unease
amongst people. Irish and English tend to get really involved and invested in a job and will
work all day everyday to make it work where as the Swedish work their contracted hours
and then go home. This can cause unease as it feels like some people arent pulling their
weight.
Although at the end of the day who has it right?

The main thing that I think I miss is the unity of a workforce and team that can be achieved
at home. If you are under pressure at home and you turn to the person beside and ask for
help there seems to be more of a everyone helps out kind of attitude where as here
everyone is primarily concerned with their own job job descriptions are clearly defined.

Hope this helps

Bourdieu & Capital

0 Economic Capital:
0 Money, assets etc.

0 Social Capital (potential resources):

0 Group membership.
0 Relationships.
0 Social Network.

0 Cultural Capital:
0 What is necessary for success is a whole set of cultured behavior, or valued habitus.
0 Habitus:
0 The physical embodiment of cultural capital i.e.. dispositions.
0 E.g. Street smarts vs. middle-class manners.
0 E.g. Womens disposition to lean-back, not negotiate etc.
0 Embodied:
0 Both consciously acquired and passively inherited (socialization)
0 E.g. linguistic style, self-presentation, taste
0 Objectified:
0 Cultural objects that are owned e.g. art, dictionaries, certain food/wine.
0 Institutionalized:
0 Institutional recognition usually in the form of academic credentials or qualifications.

Now think
0 If you were the board of management and

you had to hire a new principal from the

following applicants:
0 40 year old Brazilian outside candidate, served

as a principal in a mid-sized school in Sao Paolo

for 7 years masters and BA.
0 34 year old Irish Deputy Principal of said school
for 4 years - HDIP.

0How might functionalism

-vs- conflict theory explain

the devaluation or nonrecognition of migrants
skills? why are migrants
skills devalued?
0What processes are taking
place? How is this
happening? linking

Essay: 13th April 2000

Words
Many migrants experience a devaluation or
non-recognition of their skills upon
migration. The sociological theoretical
literature provides a number of theoretical
explanations for why this is so. In this essay
you are invited to explain the disadvantages
faced by migrants in Ireland, drawing on
empirical studies of migration in Ireland, and
the theoretical sociological perspectives.