SOC 100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Gender Identity, Economic Inequality, Symbolic Interactionism
Document Summary
Lens or perspective to explore a topic. Help to explain and predict social behavior. Help to organize observations and apply them to sociological questions. Not mutually exclusive -- provide different insights. Conflict theory (macro, often competing or conflicting with ) The perspective in sociology that sees society as consisting of different but related parts each of which serves a particular purpose. Sociologist using this approach explain social structures and social behavior in terms of their functions. Main criticism -- emphasis on stability, acceptance of status quo makes it inherently conservative. Underemphasized the roles of power and inequality. Introduced idea of dysfunction (something not working, broken down) Introduced idea of manifest v. latent function (intended/recognized v. unintended/unrecognized) A behavior that violates expected rules and norms. Seeing others censured for deviant behavior helps to define limits of proper behavior for others in society. Witnessing or experiencing punishments/negative sanctions acts as a deterrent to self/others. Helps maintain shared values through solidarity against offenders.
