HOW DO SOCIOLOGISTS USE THEORETICAL PARADIGMS TO FRAME THEIR THINKING?

Sociological paradigms What are paradigms? Functionalism Conflict theory Symbolic interactionism

The Three Major Paradigms of Sociology Paradigms: the theoretical frameworks through which scientists study the world Sociology has three major paradigms functionalism conflict theory symbolic interactionism Core questions of the three paradigms see next slide Copyright 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Functionalism Functionalism is the theoretical framework that defines society as a system of interrelated parts Social problems are due to the interrelated nature of society E.g., globalization and urban poverty Believes best way to understand society as a whole is to understand how parts of society are interrelated Analogy of the body, division of labor E.g., stratification rewards those who contribute most to society Davis and Moore Thesis: the rich get that way because they are harder working than the poor Social problems are necessary E.g., crime, prostitution, poverty

Functionalist Thinkers Herbert Spencer (1820 1903) Society can be considered a living organism Social Darwinism Social problems are caused by biologically inferior people Emile Durkheim (1858 1917) Division of labor Social integration and social control (e.g., social facts, norms and values) hold society together Social problems are caused by lack of integration E.g., egoistic suicide Social problems are caused by weakening of norms (anomie) E.g., anomic suicide Copyright 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Functionalist Thinkers Talcott Parsons (1902 1979) Society is a grand interrelated system in which each individual is instrumental in keeping the system functional Social problems are caused by individuals or groups not functioning properly E.g., instrumental and expressive roles in the family Robert Merton (1910 2003) Every action in society has manifest functions and latent functions Social problems are latent consequences of societal action E.g., housing projects Social problems can be seen as dysfunctions in society or caused by dysfunctions in society E.g., school shootings Copyright 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Conflict Theory Theoretical framework that views society as being in a constant struggle over a limited amount of resources E.g., struggle between the capitalist class and the working class Also uses a macro approach because it deals with interaction of multiple groups fighting to gain power E.g., whites and racial and ethnic minorities Conflict theory can be applied to many institutions, not just social class E.g., age, gender, race, religion Any social construct in which inequality can be viewed as a social problem Copyright 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Conflict Theorists Harriet Martineau (1802 1876) Society s actions are often quite different from the values expressed by that society Social problems often contradict our values E.g., the valuing of democracy in contrast to giving women the right to vote E.g., egalitarianism and intense social stratification Karl Marx (1818 1883) Capitalism breeds conflict between the rich and the poor, the bourgeoisie and the proletariat Capitalism relies on ideology, or false consciousness The rich benefit from inequality of wealth E.g., better schools, neighborhoods, access to healthcare For the poor, the free market is hardly free Coerciveness of capitalism (Burawoy and Wright) Social problems are caused by capitalism Copyright 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Conflict Theorists W. E. B. Du Bois (1868 1963) Social equality is impossible to achieve in corrupt social systems The past strongly influences the present Social problems endure due to past corrupt social systems Those with power attempt to protect their positions E.g., opposition to affirmative action, busing Copyright 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Symbolic Interactionism Symbolic Interactionism A theoretical framework that focuses on how individual interactions between people influence their behavior and how these interactions can impact society Analyzes how social interactions influence, create, and sustain human relationships E.g., high rates of attempted suicide among transgender teens Social problems emerge in the interaction E.g., poor student-middle-class teacher interactions E.g., gender inequality This paradigm is a micro approach because it deals with individuals, not groups or institutions Copyright 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Symbolic Interactionists George Herbert Mead (1863 1931) Society is made up of symbols that teach us to understand the world Howard Becker (1928 present) Social interactions can lead to self-fulfilling prophecies that limit a person s outcomes Labeling E.g., secondary deviation Social problems are social constructions E.g., marijuana smoking, health issues, mental illness E.g., drug epidemic and the state (see Katherine Beckett) Meanings affect behavior E.g., becoming a marihuana smoker Copyright 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.