1. Review chapter three "Science and Fuzzy Objects" and lecture notes on key theoretical perspectives in sociology. Compare and contrast the assumptions or key premises of the structural-functional, social conflict and symbolic interaction perspectives. (15 points)
Sociology is a social science that involves the systematic study of different human groups and their social behavior. Individuals study sociology just to gain basic knowledge while others understand it to apply various changes to the society like solving various problems. Sociology mainly applies the use of theories which are statements that attempt to explain, describe, and predict social events. Theories guide the theoretical perspective of sociology. In this case, one can allude a theoretical perspective to a lens through which one may focus or distort what they see. The four main theoretical assumptions include structural-functional, feminism, social conflict, and symbolic interaction. In this section, attention is drawn to comparing and contrasting structural-functional, social conflict and symbolic interaction.
Structural-functional perspective is also known as the functionalist perspective. It draws inspiration from the works of Emile Durkheim. Functionalists believe that each part of the society is integrated (McIntyre 42), and it contributes to a stable society. For instance, the government provides education to pupils from a family that pays taxes to the government. Despite the fact that functionalism establishes stability, it is claimed to be quite conservative and also neglects negative aspects in the society such as divorce.
Social Conflict is also known as the conflict perspective. It is derived from the ideologies of Karl Marx. The main idea of this perspective is that conflict arises when resources are unevenly distributed within human groups in the society. In such a case, conflict is normal, (McIntyre 44). A suitable example, in this case, is the higher education system in the U.S., which sieves out the poor (social group), not because they are not fit academically but they are financially unable to proceed with higher education.
Symbolic interaction is also known as interactionist perspective. It was developed by George Herbert Mead, an American Sociologist. Interactionists investigate how people create meaning and situations of co-presence. In essence, they focus on specific meanings and attributes to an entity. In this case, people attach meanings to symbols. A good example is the analysis of the intensity of a person’s workout through heart rate and weight loss among others.
Analysis
Functionalists believe in the interdependence of concepts in the society. Conflict perspective asserts that ideas in the society compete with one another. Interactionists depend on the individual perceptions of reality and not social institutions (McIntyre 44). A good example to contrast these entities would be: a functionalist would say that a family institution is suitable for children to be cared for and this leads to stability in the society. From the conflict perspective side, one would say that a family structure is set to put women in a subordinate position and men become domineering hence the competition. An interactionist, on the other hand, would say that the meaning of family depends on the individual perception of people. Functionalists believe that social change is based on consensus. In conflict perspective, social change is experienced through disagreement. Interactionists believe in social change based on human interpretation.
All these perspectives are considered classical; this means that they are older and more established regarding meaning and application to the society. All the perspectives also symbolize the various aspects that affect the society as a whole; in essence, they uniquely conceptualize human behavior about social forces. Conflict and structural-functional are considered macro theories, meaning that they have larger social patterns. Symbolic interaction is a micro theory since its social patterns are quite small. All perspectives agree that there are social groups in the society; however, the interactionist perspective is mainly focused on the individual perspective. Both conflict perspective and social interaction encourage people to have an active role in social change. Functionalism perspective only encourages people to be content with the current status in the society with the aim of establishing societal stability.
2. Select a recent local, national or international news story. Based on your understanding of the issues involved, which is the best sociological perspective among the three (just select one) to be used to understand that story? How and why? (10 points)
In a recent meeting held by State System of Higher Education's Board of Governors, it is evident that lawmakers agree on the challenges that the higher education system faces (Mekeel). There are falling enrollment numbers and growing financial concerns that originate state funding shortfalls and many other factors (Mekeel). In such a case, only a few people can afford higher education, yet education should be accessible to everyone. The lawmakers hope to provide affordable and quality education, meaning that this is not the present situation.
The best suited sociological perspective to understand this news story is the conflict perspective. As mentioned earlier, the conflict perspective establishes the ideology that resources are unevenly distributed, which causes different society groups to compete against each other. The competition results to the vicious cycle of poverty. In this case, only the people who can afford higher education will get access to it since after all there are shortfalls in state funding. As a result, only the rich access higher education access higher education and the poor are left out of course due to financial challenges. As a result, the rich get good paying jobs while the poor stick with manual jobs that are less paying.
The conflict perspective is established since the uneven distribution of funds for higher education results to competing for jobs and survival between the poor and the rich. Both social groups cannot be characterized at the same level, and the cycle of poverty continues to exist.
Works Cited
McIntyre, Lisa J. The Practical Skeptic: Core Concepts In Sociology. 5th ed., 2011.
Mekeel, David. "Berks Lawmakers Concur On Challenges Facing State System Of Higher Education | Reading Eagle - NEWS." Reading Eagle, 2017, http://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-lawmakers-concur-on-challenges-facing-state-system-of-higher-education.
