SOCIOLOGICA

L THEORIES
Reporter: Akira Jade Soreta STEM C- 11
Structural Functionalism Theory

Conflict Theory

Symbolic Interactionism Theory

Anthropology

Political Science
 STRUCTURAL
FUCTIONALISM
THEORY
 Structural Functionalism Theory
• Views society as a complex system where various parts
(institutions) work together to maintain overall harmony
and balance.

• It suggests that each part of society has a specific

function, and these functions must operate together to
create a stable and functioning society.
This are influential figures associated with this theory.

• Emile Durkheim (suicide, 1897)

• Herbert Spencer (principle of sociology, 1898)
• Talcott Parsons (the structure of social action,
1937)
• Robert Merton (social structure and anomie,
1938)
• Society is composed of crucial institutions
such as the family, government,
education, market (economy), and
religion.

• These institutions play essential roles in

shaping and maintaining society.
Functional & Dysfunctional

Functionalists like Parsons and Merton used the terms

"functional" and "dysfunctional" to describe societal
effects. Functional institutions provide social stability
and solidarity, while dysfunctional ones disrupt stability.
For example, a family can be functional if it provides
love, care, and development, but dysfunctional if it fails
to nurture members, leading to disruption.
Manifest Function & Latent Function

Structural functionalism theory identifies two types of

functions in society: manifest functions and latent
functions. Manifest functions are intended and
recognized by institutions, while latent functions are
unintended consequences that ensure social stability.
Schools, for instance, serve as a platform for students
and teachers to interact, socialize, and facilitate mate-
selection.
CONFLICT THEORY
 Conflict theory

Conflict theory in sociology suggests that society is

perpetually in conflict due to competition for limited
resources. Some individuals hold more resources,
indicating their power, while others hold less or no
resources, indicating their powerlessness.
 Conflict Theory
The conflict theory was originated by Marx, a German
sociologist who proposed the theory in his book Das
Kapital (1867). Friedrich Engels, another German
sociologist, and C. Wright Mills also contributed their
ideas to this theory. Similar to the structural
functionalism theory, the conflict theory is a macro-level
theory, which means it studies the society as a whole.
Marx's conflict theory divides society into the bourgeoisie
(capitalists) and the proletariat (workers), causing conflict as the
bourgeoisie and proletariat compete for resources like food,
employment, education, and sexual partners, leading to societal
division and power struggles.)

Proletariats: those who have nothing to sell but their labor-power

(their capacity to work).

Bourgeois: owners of the means of production who sell

commodities produced by the proletariat).
This theory focuses on competition, revolution,
structural inequality, and war. Competition is inherent
in society, and a dominant class achieves something that
makes them dominant. A revolution results from a new
power dynamic, with the subordinate becoming the new
dominant group and the old dominant group becoming
the new subordinate.
The conflict theory suggests that society experiences structural
inequality, making power and authority a significant social
resource. It suggests that war is inevitable for rebuilding,
potentially uniting divided societies for a common goal or
potentially ending them.

Originally viewed from an economic perspective, modern

perspectives consider other dimensions of conflict, such as race,
ethnicity, feminism, and gender and sexuality. The theory posits
that conflict exists at all times in society, reflecting discussions on
race, ethnicity, feminism, and sexuality.
 SYMBOLIC
INTERACTIONISM
THEORY
Symbolic Interactionism Theory

The symbolic interactionism theory suggests that humans

exist in a world of symbols, including material objects,
actions, and relationships, each with a shared meaning
understood by society members. These symbols are
communicated by humans.
The symbolic interactionism theory, a micro-level
sociological theory, studies individual approaches and
societal interpretations. Proponents include George Mead
(a american philosopher, 1936) Herbert Blumer (A
american Sociologist, 1969), who discussed it in their
works Mond, Self and Society and symbolic
interactionism.
Interactionism suggests that humans act based on
their understanding of symbols, such as smiles and
frowns. A smile is universally recognized as a sign
of happiness, while a frown signifies the oopposite
Social order can only be achieved if all members
understand the same meanings for symbols.
Differences in interpretation can lead to
misunderstandings and disrupt social order, as
seen with the smile symbol.
ANTHROPOLOG
Y
 Anthropology
Anthropology studies the evolution of human culture and
society, focusing on past societies and their evolution. It is
divided into four subdisciplines: cultural anthropology,
physical anthropology, linguistic anthropology, and
archaeology.
Anthropology is divided into four subdisciplines:

1. Cultural anthropology- the study of how humans

developed their culture and society

2. Physical anthropology (also known as biological

anthropology)- the study of how humans adap to their
environment, including biological evolution
3. Linguistic anthropology - the study of how language
evolves and how humans use language to communicate

4. Archaeology - the study of artifacts or material evidence

that past human societies left behind
Sociology and anthropology are both social
science disciplines, but anthropology views
society macro-level and individual effects, while
sociology focuses on social structures.
Anthropology focuses on culture and the impact
of individuals on society.
POLITICAL
SCIENCE
Political science

Political science is a crucial discipline in social

science, focusing on the study of power
dynamics, decision-making, government, power,
authority, political thoughts, ideas, activities,
and behavior within a society.
Politics refers to the extent to which power dynamics
are present in social relationships. The slogan "The
personal is political" by student movement and
second-wave feminism highlights the connection
between personal experiences and society's political
structure. For instance, an individual's theft may be
seen as societal failure to provide equitable economic
opportunities.
Political scientists argue that politics should
encompass government's role, governance
system, relationships with other governments,
and policies affecting the public. They also
examine political dysfunctions like corruption
and conflicts, focusing on the government's
function in society.
Popular politics, or populism, refers to the political stance
of the "people" towards a certain belief, often contrasting
it with the unpopular "elite or establishment." It involves
recognizing who the "people" consider good and bad.
Presidential populism, particularly in the case of Trump
and Duterte, has gained significant popularity.