09/13/12 The three major perspectives in sociology In modern times, there is a growing realization of the importance of the scientific study of social phenomena and the means of promoting human welfare. There are many sociological factors that influence and interact the way people think around the world. As we have discussed in class, a perspective is simply a way of looking at the world that can be a framework of new paradigms. Each sociological theory in sociology provides us with different view of our social world and helps us to predict and explain the social phenomena in society which we live. Chapter 1 mainly discusses the three primary perspectives of sociology; functionalist, conflict, and symbolic interactionism.
Macro Theories focus on major structural features and give us an understanding of how societies survive and change. The Micro Theories focus on how individuals interpret the social world. Explain one Micro Theory and discuss, using examples, four differences between the Macro and the Micro perspectives. Sociological Theory A sociological theory is a group of ideas that seek to explain the norms and behaviours of human society. In other words, they help us to relate the larger social picture to our own personal lives.
4, 5). In the sociological imagination, it shows that both public and private issues are two parts of one larger issue. Seeing the difference between what is a sociological cause and what is due to the individual can help people understand the difference between what an individual is really responsible for and what is due to social circumstances. Through the essay, it is clear that Mills believes that society shapes individuals just as much as individuals shape society. This is seen clearly in some modern day examples.
Introduction The Sociological Imagination written by C. Wright Mills wherein his main goal was to try to reconcile and differentiate between the two intangible concepts of societal actuality which is basically the "individual" and the "society." In simpler words, Mills tries to distinguish between personal troubles and issues that arise in society. In this essay, what exactly is sociological imagination as well as various aspects which occur in individual and societal lives will be addressed. The aspects that will be discussed herein are namely, unemployment, crime, suicide, and child abuse in the light of Mills’ observations. The way these issues are interlinked with each other will also be addressed respectively.
The relationship between these two is they both help us find reasoning and uncover why many things in society are the way they are while also uncovering the bigger picture. Thus having the end goal of being able to have control and/or understanding over one’s life through certain actions. Researchers use sociological imagination to explain social things typically ignored by people steeped in individualism. They do this by having their subjects think about topics in society that have led to some sort of outcome, and get them to understand what causes led to that result. Outcomes are shaped by (but are not limited to) social norms, motives, and the social context (country, time period, and people they associate themselves with).
Sociological Perspectives There are three different perspectives to the way society works; these are structuralist perspective, conflict perspective and symbolic/interactionist perspective. Interpretative Perspective Interpretive sociology is a theoretical perspective based on the idea that a sociological understanding of behaviour must include the meaning that social actors give to what they and others do. When people interact, they interpret what is going on and this is what gives social life its patterned quality. Symbolic Internationalism This perspective relies on the symbolic meaning that people develop and rely upon in the process of social interaction. Interaction between individuals is negotiated through shared symbols, gestures and nonverbal communications.
See Robert Merton Conflict Theory: A more negative approach to sociology. Conflict theory focuses on how certain parts of our society are in conflict with each other, and how the "elite" members of our society oppressed the lower class for their own gain. See Karl Marx and C. Wright Mills. The sociological perspective is a particular way of approaching a phenomenon common in sociology. It involves maintaining objectivity, not by divesting oneself of values, but by critically evaluating and testing ideas, and accepting what may be surprising or even displeasing based on the evidence.
Charles Wright Mills, American sociologist who developed the concept of sociological imagination, in his book, titled simply The Sociological Imagination defines it as: ‘The quality of mind essential to grasp the interplay of man and society, of biography and history, of self and world.’ (C. Wright Mills, 1959, p2) In order to think sociologically we need to see ourselves as a part of a whole society and broaden our point of view from the closest milieu to the entire civilization. It requires us to consider it in all its bearings, including the structure of a particular society as a whole as well as its historical background. A man who would like to possess the sociological imagination must have the ability to distinguish between ‘private troubles’ and ‘public issues’ and be able therefore to perceive a difference amongst the problems which are affecting him because of his character and these which are occurring as a consequence of a wider social disturbance. ‘Disability, work and welfare: challenging the social exclusion of disabled people’ an article from ‘Work, employment and society’ written by Colin Barnes and Geof Mercer from The University of Leeds perfectly illustrates a possession of the sociological imagination by its authors. It is engaging with barriers which are keeping people with impairment out from the British labour market and from mainstream society as well.
Functionalists look at society like the human body; both human parts and parts of society have certain needs that need to be met if they are to survive. Functionalism is similar to Marxism in the way that it too is a macro sociological theory; functionalism also looks at society in the ‘bigger picture’. Families are a group of individuals related by
In Patterns of Culture by Ruth Benedict, the concepts of human nature and social coordination/organization are utilized to define several aspects of our culture. Human nature, according to Benedict, is a direct result of the individual’s experience in their culture. She claims that human nature arises out of the pure interaction between a human being and his or her own culture to which they are accostumes. In her words, “what was subtracted from society was added to the individual and what was subtracted from the individual was added to society” (251). In this sense, who humans beings are, what they believe, and how they came to be, have all been influenced by society.