Three Major Perspectives in

Sociology
Mahwish Siddiqui
Sociology and Media Science

 As in today’s time, Mass Media overpowers the mental lives of people. Therefore
it creates intense curiosity among Sociologist to know more about mass media
and its effect on society.
 Sociology is the study of human interaction. In recent years, social media has
created an entirely new area for sociological research. Social media offers a new
avenue for human interaction, creating new behaviors for sociologists to study.
Social media began as an interaction between people using new forms of
technology, and the conversations became increasingly public.  
Sociology and Computer Science

 Most sociologists, both professionals and students, now have their own computer
with direct access to a printer for writing and to the Internet for electronic mail (e-
mail). Beyond the basic tasks of writing and e-mailing are a variety of other
computer-supported research applications, both quantitative and qualitative.
Three Major Perspectives in Sociology

 Today there are three approaches to the study of sociology.

 1. The Functionalist Perspective: They view society as a
set of interrelated parts that work together to produce a
stable environment. ( Comte, Spencer, Durkheim)
 2. Conflict Perspective: They focus on the forces in
society that promote competition and change. ( Karl Marx)
 3. Interactionist Perspective: They focus on how
individuals interact with each other and there outcomes.
Three Major Perspectives in Sociology
Auguste Comte (1798-1857)

Responsible for coining the term “sociology”

Focused on two aspects of society:
• Social Statics—forces which produce order
and stability
• Social Dynamics—forces which contribute to
social change
Emile Durkheim (1858-1917)

Durkheim moved sociology fully into the

realm of an empirical science
Most well known empirical study is called
Suicide, where he looks at the social causes
of suicide
Generally regarded as the founder of
functionalist theory
Karl Marx (1818-1883)

Marx is the father of conflict theory

Saw human history in a continual state of conflict
between two major classes:
• Bourgeoisie—owners of the means of
production (capitalists)
• Proletariat—the workers
Predicted that revolution would occur producing
first a socialist state, followed by a communist
society
Three Major Perspectives in Sociology

 Sociologists study everything from specific events (the micro level

of analysis of small social patterns) to the “big picture”
(the macro level of analysis of large social patterns).
Difference between micro and macro level
analysis
Three Major Perspectives in Sociology

 Sociologists today employ three primary theoretical perspectives:

the symbolic interactionist perspective, the functionalist perspective,
and the conflict perspective. These perspectives offer sociologists
theoretical paradigms for explaining how society influences people,
and vice versa. Each perspective uniquely conceptualizes society,
social forces, and human behavior (see Table 1).
Symbolic interactionist perspective

 The symbolic interactionist perspective, also known as symbolic

interactionism, directs sociologists to consider the symbols and
details of everyday life, what these symbols mean, and how people
interact with each other. Although symbolic interactionism traces its
origins to Max Weber's assertion that individuals act according to
their interpretation of the meaning of their world, the American
philosopher George H. Mead (1863–1931) introduced this
perspective to American sociology in the 1920s.
Symbolic interactionist perspective

 Consider applying symbolic interactionism to the American

institution of marriage. Symbols may include wedding bands, vows
of life‐long commitment, a white bridal dress, a wedding cake, a
Church ceremony, and flowers and music.
Functionalist perspective

 According to the functionalist perspective, also

called functionalism, each aspect of society is interdependent and
contributes to society's functioning as a whole. The government, or
state, provides education for the children of the family, which in
turn pays taxes on which the state depends to keep itself running.
That is, the family is dependent upon the school to help children
grow up to have good jobs so that they can raise and support their
own families. In the process, the children become law‐abiding,
taxpaying citizens, who in turn support the state.
Conflict Perspective

 The conflict perspective, which originated primarily out of Karl Marx's writings
on class struggles, presents society in a different light than do the functionalist
and symbolic interactionist perspectives. While these latter perspectives focus on
the positive aspects of society that contribute to its stability, the conflict
perspective focuses on the negative, conflicted, and ever‐changing nature of
society. Unlike functionalists who defend the status quo, avoid social change, and
believe people cooperate to effect social order, conflict theorists challenge the
status quo, encourage social change (even when this means social revolution),
and believe rich and powerful people force social order on the poor and the
weak. 
Feminist theory

 Feminist theory is one of the major contemporary sociological

theories, which analyzes the status of women and men in society
with the purpose of using that knowledge to better women's lives.
Feminist theory is most concerned with giving a voice to women
and highlighting the various ways women have contributed to
society.
The Society for Picking of Apples

 What is discussed in the story?

 How do you think the society developed?
 Which key factors of Sociology were you able to choose?
 Can you relate it Sociology?