SOCI 201 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Symbolic Interactionism, Conflict Theories, Microsociology
5 Jan 2019
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These two groups compete for control of the means of production (things that create wealth in society). Conflict theories examine the forces that pull society apart. In such societies, some people will feel alienated; refers to the separation of things that naturally go together. Marx compared the process of commodity production to stealing because the worker is never paid the full "value" of what she/he creates. This process is similar to a pimp/prostitute relationship. Weber also looked at the forces pulling apart society but he believed that capitalism was but one of several factors that influenced social behavior. He also examined political and religious influences upon human behavior. Sociologists often claim that weber was involved in a lifelong debate with marx"s ghost. Best known for "verstehende sociology" (understanding) which infers the meaning behind human action. Symbolic interactionism examines human behavior from the micro-sociological level.
