positivism – authentic and valid knowledge of the social world is found only through scientific and empirical pursuit.
sociological theory, a set of interrelated ideas that provide a systematic understanding of the social world.
Three basic social theories emerged, providing the fundamental elements of the sociological perspective. The theories are titled Conflict, Functionalist, and Symbolic Interactionism.
The key to understanding sociological theory is remembering that although all three men look out the same window, each focuses on a different scene – the vineyard, the village, and the meadow.
The vineyard and village views represent macro sociology, a level of analysis focusing on social systems and populations on a large scale.
The meadow is an example of micro sociology, a level of analysis focusing on individuals and small groups within the larger social system.
the proletariat, the majority, who were the poor, property-less industrial working class, and the land and business owners referred to as the bourgeois, the small minority who were the wealthy class
conflict theory, a sociological perspective emphasizing the role of political and economic power and oppression as contributing to the existing social order
functionalist theory, a macro view of how the parts of society serve to maintain stability
Education, government, and families are considered parts of society.
manifest functions, intentional and formally sanctioned functions of social institutions and society. Within education, the manifest function is to teach students reading, math, and science. Latent functions, unintentional and informally sanctioned functions of social institutions and society, that occur in education include learning social skills, finding romantic partners, and even negative functions, such as bullying and learning how to cheat on exams
dysfunction, the undesirable disruptions of social patterns resulting in negative consequences within society
socialized self, which states that the self cannot develop apart from society
In other words, you are who you are due to your social interactions and environment.
symbolic interaction, a micro view of how society is the product of interactions between people, which occur via symbols that have distinct meanings
social facts — social patterns that are external to individuals and greatly influence our way of thinking and behaving in society.
These social patterns provide social constraints and exercise power over individuals.
These social patterns provide social constraints and exercise power over individuals.
(In order to study people within society, the researcher must observe social actions to understand and explain the meanings that individuals attribute to their social interactions.)
two methods of verstehen – observation and explanation – interpretation is required, which is a departure from solely using natural science techniques.
the researcher has to imaginatively view the subject through a first-person perspective to understand the meaning of the actions of the group of people being studied
In other words, you have to be in their shoes and take into account the meanings they attribute to their actions and environment, which is a micro-level analysis.
Introspection and empathy are important in the process of analysis
Therefore, verstehen can be used to investigate macro issues, such as economics and religion.
Contemporary Theories
In addition to these three theories, there are feminist, postmodern, and queer theories.
The feminist theory, a view on anti-oppression, gender relations, and gender inequality, evolved from the conflict theory and is an important contemporary sociological perspective.
A key element of feminist sociology is a focus on social and political reform, which represents the concept of applied sociology, the use of sociological theory, research, and methodologies to find solutions to problems in society.
Emerging from feminist theory and gay and lesbian studies is queer theory, a critical view that rejects the traditional categories of gender, sex, and sexuality in contemporary society.
The queer theory addresses both micro and macro issues, with particular emphasis put on the social construction of sexuality.
postmodern social theory, a critical view rejecting the historical, scientific, and structured means of investigating and interpreting the social world.
Postmodernist theory ultimately contends that all things in society are in a constant state of change, and as such, our understanding of society and culture is relative