Discuss the main principles of the three theoretical perspectives and explain how each can be applied.
Discuss the main principles of the three theoretical perspectives and explain how each can be applied.
Sociology has many theoretical perspectives that are utilized to study several aspects of society. In the history of the discipline, several sociologists like Karl Marx, G.H. Mead, Emile Durkheim, etc., have proposed their theoretical perspectives to study society's social problems. There are majorly three theoretical perspectives in the discipline to study social change.
Symbolic interactionism: G.H. Mead proposed it. the basic principles of the symbolic interactionist perspective are,
- the people in society construct their social roles in the due process of interaction.
- human beings have the capacity of thought, and social interactions share that thought.
- through the interaction process, the people learn the symbols and their meanings, which allow them to interact.
- people can identify the situations they're in and modify the social interaction according to the situation.
- the groups and societies are made up of patterns of actions and interactions.
Symbolic interactionism can be applied in a social movement to understand the use of symbols and signs in the revolting process to communicate their problem or voice to the larger society.
Structural functionalism: was proposed by Emile Durkheim. It is also called functionalism. the basic principles of this theory are,
- the social institutions or the systems in the society have predefined functions to perform.
- these social systems perform their functions and roles to maintain social order in society.
- these systems are involved in the ordered change process, and they can also be static.
- it sees society as a complex system where the parts work collectively to maintain social stability.
This perspective can be applied to the organizations in the society like state, family, religion, etc . to study the functions they perform to maintain the social order.
Conflict perspective: it was proposed by the eminent sociologist Karl Marx. The principles of this theory are,
- Social and economic institutions are the tools for the struggle between the different classes, and they are the ones responsible for the domination of the ruling class.
- society is divided into economic lines where there are two classes. One is the Bourgeoisie ruling class, and the other is the Proletariat working class.
- it focuses on the conflict between the groups for the resources that are available.
- the social change process is the result of conflict between the groups for scarce resources.
This perspective can be applied to study the emergence of classes in society and their interaction process. This method can also be applied to stay the conflict between social roles.
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