Compare and contrast how conflict, functionalism, and interactionalist sociological theories view the social world and social interaction.
Different sociological theories perceive and interpret the society differently. Therefore, this essay analyzes how the three primary sociological theories, which include conflict, interactionist, and functionalist theories, view the society by comparing and contrasting their perspectives on the social world and social interaction. All the theories emphasize on the essence of different bodies in the community needing each other. In functionalism, the society, and its inhabitants are significant requirements for particular services and products. Therefore, there is a need for a government and justice system, and the production of services and goods is also important. In the same respect, interactionism emphasizes the interactions among groups and people as well as individuals that interact on the micro-level of sociological analysis. On the other hand, conflict theory champions that the society promotes differences in prestige, power, and wealth. In most instances, prestige, power, and wealth are qualities that are desired by many people. It is, therefore, evident that all the theories are based on relationships that are present in the society (Adams 79).
The theories are also independent because they contrast on the societal elements that are either segregating or joining the society. For instance, functionalism argues that the parts of the society, such as education, government, business, and many others, reinforce the societal values and norms and sanction those who disobey them. Conflict theory presents the parts of society as societal segments that take advantage of social arrangements to benefit them at the expense of others (Adams 81). Interactional theory, on the other hand, looks at society parts as the social self and the society. Conclusively, as much as all these theories are based on very diverse societal elements.
The theory that I identify with
I identify mostly with the functionalist theory. Every segment of my life, including the Church, government, school, and family, play different important roles that make me a whole person. When one of these systems is dysfunctional, I am virtually incapacitated.
Work Cited
Adams, Bert. Sociological Theories. New York: Norton Publishers, 2001 Print.
