Theoretical Perspectives

Summary

This lecture delves into the theoretical perspectives in sociology, focusing on the foundational contributions of Marx, Durkheim, and Weber. It explores three primary sociological theories: functionalism, which views society as a stable organism with each part contributing to its survival; conflict theory, emphasizing the continuous struggle and inequality within society, with Marx's influence prominent; and symbolic interactionism, which examines micro-level social behaviors and the importance of symbols and meanings in everyday interactions. The lecture also discusses the decline of functionalism in the 1960s due to global socio-political events and the rise of conflict theory, while symbolic interactionism highlights the role of subjective meanings in social life.

Takeaways

• 📚 The lecture is about theoretical perspectives in sociology, focusing on three main perspectives: functionalism, conflict, and symbolic interactionism.
• 👤 Key sociologists mentioned include Marx, Durkheim, and Weber, who contributed significantly to the development of these perspectives.
• 🧩 Functionalism views society as a structure that maintains stability, with every part of society contributing to its survival, akin to a living organism.
• 🌟 Durkheim is highlighted as a central figure in functionalism, emphasizing social solidarity, stability, and common consensus.
• 💃 The example of the Hoopy rain dance illustrates the concept of manifest and latent functions in functionalism, showing how social events can strengthen social solidarity.
• 🔄 Dysfunction is introduced as a concept within functionalism, where certain societal aspects challenge the stability of the social system, as seen in historical conflicts between Protestants and Catholics.
• 🤝 Conflict perspective, influenced by Karl Marx, sees society as a continual struggle with competing interests and power structures.
• 👊 Feminism is mentioned as a form of conflict theory that focuses on gender inequality, although it may not strictly adhere to Marxist principles.
• 🌐 Symbolic interactionism focuses on micro-sociological phenomena, examining everyday social behaviors and the meaning behind them.
• 🗣️ This perspective is rooted in the idea that humans live in a world of meaningful objects and actions, drawing inspiration from Max Weber and George Herbert Mead.
• 🙂 The lecture concludes with the importance of applying these three perspectives—functionalist, conflict, and symbolic interactionism—to understand various sociological phenomena.

Q & A

What are the three main theoretical perspectives in sociology discussed in the lecture?

The three main theoretical perspectives in sociology discussed are functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism.

Who are the three main founders of sociology mentioned in the lecture?

The three main founders of sociology mentioned are Marx, Durkheim, and Weber.

What does functionalism argue about the structure of society?

Functionalism argues that each part of society is structured to maintain its stability, and even negative events like crime contribute to the survival of the system.

Who is considered a key figure in the functionalist perspective and what are his main contributions?

Durkheim is considered a key figure in the functionalist perspective, mainly contributing the concepts of social solidarity, stability, and common consensus in society.

What is the difference between manifest and latent functions in the functionalist perspective?

Manifest functions are the obvious and intended social functions, while latent functions are not obvious and represent the underlying assumptions or consequences of social events.

What is a dysfunction in the functionalist perspective?

A dysfunction in the functionalist perspective refers to aspects within society that challenge its stability, such as the conflict between Protestant and Catholic rituals during the middle ages in Europe.

Why did the functionalist paradigm decline in the 1960s?

The functionalist paradigm declined in the 1960s due to global uprisings and social movements that challenged social stability, such as the Vietnam War, civil rights movements, and feminist movements.

What is the main focus of the conflict perspective in sociology?

The conflict perspective focuses on the continual struggle and inequality in society, emphasizing competing interest groups and the tension between them for dominance.

Who is the central figure in the conflict perspective and what is his main contribution?

Karl Marx is the central figure in the conflict perspective, contributing the idea that social behavior is best understood in terms of tension between groups and power.

How does symbolic interactionism differ from functionalist and conflict perspectives?

Symbolic interactionism differs by focusing on micro-sociological phenomena and everyday social behaviors, rather than the broader social structures considered in functionalist and conflict perspectives.

What are the key concepts in symbolic interactionism?

Key concepts in symbolic interactionism include the focus on meaningful objects, gestures, symbols (both verbal and non-verbal), and the importance of language and meaning in social interactions.

How does the lecture suggest we should approach the study of different sociological topics?

The lecture suggests that when studying different sociological topics such as economy, polity, sexuality, gender, religion, education, or environment, they should be understood following the three perspectives: functionalist, conflict, and symbolic interactionism.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology

The first paragraph introduces the fourth lecture in a series, focusing on the theoretical perspectives in sociology. It mentions the three main founders of sociology—Marx, Durkheim, and Weber—and their distinct contributions to sociological theory. The lecture will cover three broad perspectives: functionalism, conflict, and symbolic interactionism. The paragraph highlights that these theories are still relevant in contemporary sociological discourse. It briefly explains functionalism as a view that society's parts work to maintain stability and status quo, with Durkheim being a key figure in this perspective. The example of a rain dance from an American indigenous tribe is given to illustrate the concept of manifest and latent functions within the functionalist perspective.

05:02

🔍 The Evolution and Critique of Functionalist Perspective

The second paragraph delves deeper into the functionalist perspective, discussing its prominence until the 1960s and its decline due to global socio-political events that challenged social stability. It explains the concepts of manifest and latent functions, using the example of religious festivals to illustrate how these functions can strengthen social solidarity. The paragraph also introduces the concept of dysfunction, which refers to aspects of society that challenge stability, with the conflict between Protestant and Catholic rituals during the Middle Ages as an example. The paragraph concludes by noting the rise of conflict perspective in the late 60s, which critiques the functionalist view, particularly with the influence of Karl Marx.

10:02

🤝 Conflict Perspective and its Socio-Political Relevance

The third paragraph explores the conflict perspective, emphasizing the continuous struggle and inequality in society. It positions Karl Marx as a central figure and discusses how this perspective views society as a battleground of competing interests. The paragraph also touches on feminism as a form of conflict theory that focuses on gender inequality, although it may not strictly adhere to Marxist principles. The conflict perspective gained prominence in the late 60s due to socio-political events that exposed societal discontent and challenged the functionalist paradigm of social stability.

15:03

🌐 Symbolic Interactionism: The Micro View of Sociology

The final paragraph introduces symbolic interactionism, which focuses on micro-level social phenomena and everyday social behaviors. It contrasts this with the macro-level perspectives of functionalism and conflict theory. Symbolic interactionism is rooted in the study of language and meaning, emphasizing the importance of symbols in social interactions. The paragraph provides examples of symbolic gestures in customer service and flight attendants to illustrate how these interactions are part of the symbolic interactionist perspective. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of considering all three perspectives—functionalist, conflict, and symbolic interactionism—when studying various aspects of society.

Keywords

💡Theoretical Perspective

The term 'theoretical perspective' in sociology refers to the different frameworks or viewpoints through which sociologists interpret and analyze social phenomena. In the video, the lecturer discusses three main theoretical perspectives: functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. These perspectives provide a lens through which to understand the structure and functioning of society, and they are central to the video's theme of exploring sociological thought.

💡Functionalism

Functionalism is a theoretical perspective that views society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote stability and solidarity. The script mentions that functionalists believe every aspect of society, even negative phenomena like crime, contributes to maintaining the status quo. For example, the lecturer cites Durkheim as a key figure in this perspective and uses the example of a rain dance from an indigenous tribe to illustrate how social rituals can have a latent function of strengthening social bonds.

💡Manifest Function

Manifest function refers to the obvious and intended consequences of a social action. In the context of the video, the lecturer explains that manifest functions are the visible and acknowledged purposes of social practices, such as the festive mode of a celebration. This concept is part of the functionalist perspective and is contrasted with latent functions, which are not immediately apparent.

💡Latent Function

Latent function is a concept in functionalist theory that describes the unintended and often unrecognized consequences of social actions. The video script uses the example of a festival, where the manifest function might be the celebration itself, but the latent function could be the strengthening of social solidarity and community bonds among individuals, which is not as obvious.

💡Dysfunction

Dysfunction, in the context of functionalist theory, refers to social elements that disrupt or challenge the stability and consensus within a society. The script mentions the conflict between Protestant and Catholic rituals during the Middle Ages in Europe as an example of dysfunction, highlighting how certain aspects of society can work against its stability.

💡Conflict Perspective

Conflict perspective is a sociological approach that emphasizes the continual struggle and inequality in society, often driven by competing interests and power structures. The video identifies Karl Marx as a central figure in this perspective, which gained prominence in the late 1960s due to global socio-political events that challenged social stability. The conflict perspective critiques the functionalist view by focusing on social tensions and inequalities.

💡Symbolic Interactionism

Symbolic interactionism is a micro-sociological perspective that focuses on the everyday interactions and communication between individuals. It emphasizes the importance of symbols, language, and meaning in social life. The video script illustrates this concept with examples of customer service interactions and the behavior of stewardesses, highlighting how gestures and symbols convey meaning and contribute to social interaction.

💡Marx

Karl Marx is mentioned in the script as a foundational figure in the development of conflict theory. His work focused on class inequality and power structures within society, and his ideas have significantly influenced sociological thought, particularly in understanding societal conflict and change. Marx's contributions are central to the conflict perspective discussed in the video.

💡Sociological Discourse

Sociological discourse refers to the academic conversation and body of knowledge within the field of sociology. The video script discusses how different theoretical perspectives, such as functionalism and conflict theory, have risen and declined in prominence within sociological discourse over time, shaped by historical events and societal changes.

💡Micro and Macro Perspectives

The video script distinguishes between micro and macro sociological perspectives. Micro perspectives, such as symbolic interactionism, focus on small-scale social interactions and behaviors, while macro perspectives, like functionalism and conflict theory, examine larger social structures and systems. This distinction is important for understanding the different levels at which sociologists study society.

💡Global 60s

The term 'Global 60s' in the script refers to a period of significant social and political upheaval during the 1960s, marked by events like the Vietnam War, civil rights movements, and nationalist movements. These events challenged the status quo and contributed to the decline of the functionalist perspective and the rise of conflict theory in sociological discourse.

Highlights

Introduction to the fourth lecture on theoretical perspectives in sociology.

Discussion of the three main founders of sociology: Marx, Durkheim, and Weber.

Differentiation of the three main theoretical perspectives: functionalist, conflict, and symbolic interactionism.

Emphasis on the importance of social forces in creating shared values and consensus in the functionalist perspective.

Marx's focus on class inequality and power structure in society.

Weber's emphasis on the subjective meaning of individuals in society.

Explanation of functionalism as a belief that every part of society contributes to its stability.

Durkheim's role as a key figure in the functionalist perspective, emphasizing social solidarity and stability.

The example of the hoop dance in American indigenous tribes to illustrate the functionalist perspective.

Introduction of manifest and latent functions in the functionalist perspective, with examples from festivals.

The concept of dysfunction as aspects of society that challenge stability, with historical examples from the Middle Ages.

The decline of the functionalist perspective in the 1960s due to global uprisings and challenges to social stability.

Introduction to the conflict perspective, which seeks discontent and struggle within society.

Marx's contribution to the conflict perspective and the focus on continuous struggle and inequality.

Feminism as a form of conflict theory that concentrates on gender inequality.

Symbolic interactionism as a micro-sociological perspective focusing on everyday social behaviors.

The importance of language and meaning in symbolic interactionism, drawing inspiration from Weber and Simmel.

Examples of symbolic interactionism in customer service and air stewardess behavior.

The significance of applying these perspectives to understand various aspects of society, including economy, polity, and education.

Transcripts

hello students hope this video finds you

well

today we are in the fourth lecture

already we have

made three lectures

so today is the last one today's lecture

title is

theoretical perspective in sociology

so as we discussed in the earlier three

lectures there are certain theoretical

perspective in the social lawsuit

broadly speaking

the three

main founder of sociology

namely

marx do came and weaver made significant

contribution in the development of

theoretical perspectives

and those three strands are quite

different from each other

broadly they

we can clap them

as theoretical perspectives in the

social outside

so

there are three will be discussing three

broad

theoretical perspective

namely functionalist

conflict and symbolic interactionism

it's important to note that while

you can

give due importance to the coercive

strength of the social forces in

generating shared values and

consensus

marks

focuses on like

class inequality and power structure in

the society

and finally max ever give the importance

to the subjective meaning of the

individual

so

yeah

so these three strands somehow still

survive in modern contemporary

sociological discourse

so first of all we would be discussing

functionalism what is functionalism

functionalism is basically

they argue that each and every parts of

the society is a structure to maintain

its stability

that means whatever things happen in the

society beat crime or anything

somehow

it

maintains the status quo in the society

so they have

many like they think society has a

living organism in which each part of

the organism contributes to the its

survival

so nothing is negative essence whatever

things happen in the society is somehow

contributing to the survival of the

system

and like

so durkin is considered to be is one the

most important

figure in the functionalist perspective

because he does talk about social

solidarity stability common consensus in

the society

to exemplify functionalist perspective

noted sociologists robert k martin give

him give example of gives example of

hoopy rain dance the picture you could

see in the slide

it's a basically american indigenous

tribe hoopie like raindance

what happens basically

like for instance forget about this hope

he renders for the time being like

globally christmas day is celebrated

and in the muslim world it is celebrated

and in the indian society particularly

in west bengal you could see durga puja

happen in bangladesh also among the

hindu minority people

what happened during the festival people

gets to get together got to women people

get together

so it is certain festive function

like people meet each other it's somehow

a strengthened social solidarity

people usually meets after a long time

so what happens according to robert

camarata

this obvious aspect of the festival can

be regarded as

latent function

there are two function in functionalist

perspective one is latent

another is manifest function

so what is uh sorry i i'm wrong like

what is obvious in the festival it's

called manifest function

but

like like people meet each other

and so and so forth but what would be

the latent function latent function

would be that

it strengthens social solidarity among

the individual it strengthens

inner bonds among the communities a

fellow people

so this is called latent function

so manifest function which is obvious

that festivity festive mode

and latent function would be which is

not obvious but which is the underlying

assumption of the festival

so yeah

and dysfunction so what happens we could

say that religion basically

uh

contributes to the social

like social consensus like solidarity it

strengthen

community bonding but what happens

during the middle ages in the christian

world particularly in europe

there is a bitter struggle bitter

conflict between the protestant and

catholic ritual

and robert k martin the noted

sociologist

identifies

this aspect as dysfunction

means there are certain aspect within

functionalist perspective

within functionalist paradigm that means

there are certain aspect within the

society which basically challenges the

stability of the society the part the

thing which

challenges the stability of the society

is called dysfunction

so

you could see latent and manifest

function and dysfunction these three

terms are basically taken from robert k

martin

he's one of the most important theories

in the functionalist paradigm

it's important to note that

functionalist paradigm was predominant

till 1960s globally dominated

particularly american particularly in

american sociology but what happened we

could see in the 1960s we could see the

global uprising be it vietnam war global

civil rights movements in america black

rights movement feminist right movements

all this uprising and riot challenges

the

social stability so broadly we could say

that late fixtures is the period of the

the the

period of the declining of the

functionalist perspective within the

social science because of certain

social events

happens in the global 60s across the

world

in the american context we saw the civil

rights movement black movements

in vietnam war

like in south asia also like the bengali

nationalist movement noxial body

movement mao is uprising

so many things happen global 60s it's

called like across the world 60s is

basically very terminal period

so this sort of social forces

challenges the

status quo of the like functionalist

perspectives so broadly decline after

1960s it lost its preeminence

so yeah

and next

one is basically

we could say complete perspective

while

functionalist perspective gives the

importance to the like

functioning of the society stability of

the society conflict perspective always

look for certain sort of like

certain sort of discontent in the

society

person karl marx is one of the

is the most important contributor of

this

paradigm

of this perspective

conflict perspective sees

a social world in continual struggle

conflict parts always say continuous

struggle inequality in the society

always there are competing interest

group like competing groups

in the societies which

they fight with each other for dominance

whatever it is

so complete perspective basically is the

critic of functionalist paradigm

it gains it preeminence in the late 60s

though

karl marx

articulated his theoretical concern in

the late 19th century and early 20th

century but it gained importance in the

social science discourse in late 60s due

to certain socio-political events

like yeah

conflict perspective assume that social

behavior is best understood in terms of

tension between groups our power

so we could say that like there are

certain feminist perspective in the

sociology which always looks for like

which always problematizes male

dominance

there is a expression called male stream

not mainstream male history is ministry

male male

so

we could say we could say feminism is

basically a form of conflict theory

which concentrate on gender inequality

so yeah

corporate perspectives so karl marx is

basically the the central figure in this

discourse

so

in the contemporary world basically like

so many things happen

and

it's it's it's important to note that

people who who adheres to the conflict

perspective

may not be always marxist

for instance feminists

feminism

is not strictly marxist

they might not always speak

their interest

not in terms of like class basis but in

terms of gender basis

so

though feminism is a form of conflict

theory which concentrate on gender

inequality

but it to certain extent it departs from

dominant concrete perspectives

designed by

marxist

school but

they have certain similarities they

broadly belong to the same theoretical

perspective that is conflict

perspectives

because

they question

the assumption the dominant assumption

of the society that is male dominant

and conflict perspectives always see

continual struggle in the society

okay so that's for the concrete

perspective

and

finally you could come to the like

symbolic interactionism symbolic

while functionalist and

conflict perspectives take into account

broader social structure

symbolic interactionism

centers around

micro sociological phenomenon its

micro sociological phenomenon so there

is a broad two division between micro

sociological perspective and macro

sociological perspective micro

sociological perspective is basically

symbolic interactionism and

sociological perspective basically

there are two

complete and functionalist

so

symbolic interactionism basically takes

into account

everyday forms of social behaviors

that ranges from

like our like everyday meeting

on the street to the larger

social process

so workers

interacting on the job encounters in

public places like bus stops and parks

behaviors in a small group all this

aspect of micro sociology catch the

attention of interactionist

this symbolic interactionism basically

emerged from emerges from a concern with

language and meaning

thirdly human beings are built as living

in a world of meaningful object it

sounds like waverian obviously they draw

inspiration from basically two

cardinal figures

that is max weber and george sarbot mean

we will find it we'll go into the detail

of the theory of george server made in

the socialization section

so human beings are built as living in a

world of meaningful objects

those objects may include material

things action

other people relationship even symbols

there are two sorts of symbol barber

symbol non-verbal symbols suppose

weaving

or selecting

saluting is a kind of certain sort of

like respect in every society

what happens symbolic interactionism is

basically takes takes into account my

crew even

i would give one instance of symbolic

interactionism like applying unions

social symbolic interactionism

discourse that is when you call into any

customer care

the moment they receive the call the way

they treat you in phone it's so like i

could say so impressive

similar things happens with like a

stewardess in the plane airplane

that smile

so this smile when the customer care

receives your call the way they

entertains you the way they behave with

you

like eat all these things gesture the

meaningful action all these gestures the

smile of the stevens in the slide you

could see the picture of the steroids in

the

airplane so the smile of the steroids

and the behavior of the customer care

officials

all these things come into the domain of

symbolic directionism

that they perform through certain

gestures

through certain symbols symbol can be

both equally verbal and non-verbal

this is for like theoretical

perspectives in the sociology it's you

should remember we should remember that

whenever you explain anything in the

sociological discourse be it economy

polity

sexuality gender

religion

education environment

everything must be understood following

these three perspective

functionalist

conflict and symbolic interactionism

when you'd be studying religion we would

try to explain religion applying this

tree perspective

that is like

functionalist and

conflict

and and

symbolic interactionism perspective

this is for today thank you all