REC100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 14: Émile Durkheim, Symbolic Interactionism, Sociological Perspectives

• School: University of Waterloo
• Department: Recreation and Leisure Studies
• Course: REC100
• Professor: Dr. Aubin

Document Summary

Comte, durkheim (and parsons, merton etc. : conflict (macro) Weber economics and status and power: symbolic interactionism (micro) Weber, mead (and goffman, cooley etc. : structural functionalism. Society has complex system of parts that interact to perform various necessary functions, solve problems. Institutions have a function, helps society remain stable. Change is generally viewed as disruptive and gradual. Interested in what holds societies and social groups together, and how. Behaviour must be understood within a larger social context. Some key concepts: social constraint, social structure, social solidarity, anomie, collective conscience, mechanical and organic solidarity, division of labor, ritual, sacred and profane. Level of individualism in a group affects the rate of suicide. Views society as a struggle for resources and power. Conflict between the classes determines social change. Conflict is universal; social consensus is limited and inequality is widespread. Conflict arises among groups between those with and without power. Social changes arising from the industrial revolution.