SOC 202 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Sociological Theory, Symbolic Interactionism, Special Functions
12 Jan 2017
School
Department
Course
Professor
A school of thought that has a broad view of the world.
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Broad set of assumptions that guides our research.
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Made up of series of theories.
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Paradigms (**TEST: difference between the two)
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A perspective of how and why 2 facts are related.
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Seeks to establish causal relationships.
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Theories give way of interpreting world, attempt to relay causal relationships.
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Each theory is part of larger school of thought of how we see the world.
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Theories
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Structural functionalism (Macro- the way society shapes individs)
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Conflict theory (Macro) - Conflict Approach Paradigm
2.
Symbolic interactionism
3.
Cultural studies (Critical Theory)
4.
4 Sociological Paradigms
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Four Sociological Paradigms
Structural Functionalism (Macro paradigm)
1.
Family, schools, religions, justice and legal systems, mass media, corporations, etc.
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Human behavior governed by social structures (institutions).
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Based on shared values.
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Emphasis on preserving social stability.
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Not amenable to social change.
Preserve status quo and try to make capitalism better rather than make change.
Conservative response to social unrest.
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Social structures should work together to contribute to the smooth functioning of society.
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Social structures are connected and impact each other.
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Many different parts to it that does special function.
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A change in one part doesn't just affect itself but other parts as well.
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Society = human body.
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Key sociologist: Talcott Parsons (1902 - 1979)
Week 2 - Sociological Paradigms
Thursday, January 21, 2016
11:28 AM
SOC 202 Page 1
Document Summary
A school of thought that has a broad view of the world. Broad set of assumptions that guides our research. A perspective of how and why 2 facts are related. Theories give way of interpreting world, attempt to relay causal relationships. Each theory is part of larger school of thought of how we see the world. Family, schools, religions, justice and legal systems, mass media, corporations, etc. Social structures should work together to contribute to the smooth functioning of society. Preserve status quo and try to make capitalism better rather than make change. Social structures are connected and impact each other. Many different parts to it that does special function. Structural functionalism (macro- the way society shapes individs) A change in one part doesn"t just affect itself but other parts as well. Key sociologist: robert merton"s theory of social function. Social structures have different consequences for different groups of people. Manifest function: consciously intended, what it"s designed for, easily recognized.
