Theoretical Perspectives Pages 23-31 Complete your Vocab for Section 3 Do questions 18-19-20
Dec 22, 2015
Old Lady or YoungThis allusion is 100
years old!!Do you see a
beautiful young girl or a tired old woman.
It is difficult (impossible?) to see both images at the
same time.
Sociology has 3 different perspectives—
Which one is right? Don’t know. All, one, none.
They are “Theoretical Perspectives”—assumptions accepted as true.
Each perspective is held true by it’s supporters
• These assumptions help them organize their research.
• The theories can exist at the same time;
• They can conflict with one another and
• They can encourage growth• Most of all, they EXPLAIN!!
Your turn…
• Activity• Divide into equal groups—
– a. You will “outline” your theory in a “bulleted fashion describing • What the theory is and facts that can make it easier to
understand.• Important People? Associated with your theory.• How does this theory contribute to society?
– b. You will figure out a way to demonstrate one of these theories to your classmates. You must be able to demonstrate your theory in less than 90 seconds and then explain what you’re demonstrating—just in case we can’t figure out your “acting.”
Functionalism
• Sees society as a whole—all parts of society contributing the success.
• A change in one part leads to a change in the whole
• This change may lead to unrest but the parts will lead it back to stability—even though it may look a bit different…
2010
Think more seriously
• How women change if men are taken to war.
• How Civil rights led to educational changes.
• How the changes in the economy can change life.
• How mom / dad’s role in the home can change a family…
Side Note: (sort of…)
• There are 2 types of change—the intended change known as manifest function and the secondary—latent function that may happen as a result– You have to walk ½ to your new school…
• Manifest function—get to school• Latent—more exercise, lose weight!
• Not all functions (change) are positive but it contributes
Dysfunction• These are the “down side” functions
• On your walk to school, you may get wet in the weather here or your tardies may increase…
To conclude: functionalism• American society agrees on the importance of
our values in a functional society and therefore we cooperate to accomplish these….
Think about it: How has school Changed for you in your career…
123
Now, what are the manifest and latent functions of your education…123
123
Activity—Crossing the River• The person who can persuade the person
across from them to change sides will get a reward.– You cannot speak to one another.– There can be only one winner– You have 5 minutes
ObservorsWhat do you see happeningWhat methods were used to solve the problemDescribe any sort of cooperation, frustration or
problems that occur
Everyone:
• What role did competition play? • How does power come into play? • What happens to the person who
does NOT have the power?• What attitude did the winners and
losers exhibit?• As the “power” shifted, what began
to happen?
Think about---• American military vrs Taliban? Japanese?
Germans? Whomever at a particular time.• Whites v. Blacks right after Civil War,
Blacks vrs white during the civil rights era.• American cavalry v. the Native Americans
in the 1880s THEN the Native Americans v. the American authorities during the 1980’s
• Women wanting out of the home v. men who didn’t want to let them go
• Teenagers v. parents / teachers
Through conflict there is changeChange comes with the shift in power
Conflict can be “painful” but can lead to positive change.
The people with the power control—constrain—those who don’t (who lose…)
Competition plays a big part in looking at the conflict perspective.
Symbolic Interactionism
• Change your thoughts from large group to how people interact.
• New thought: groups change because of the members and how they interact…
A gesture or word an expression
• Symbols are real ways of expressing something that you may not be able to see.
How do we learn Symbolic Interactionism
• From watching other people• By reacting to the symbols• By deciding how WE will use them—
interact to/with others• Internal conversations• This determines how society will proceed