Social Theories

Social Theories

The term ‘social theory’ encompasses ideas about ‘how societies change and develop, about methods of explaining social behaviour, about power and social structure, gender and ethnicity, modernity and ‘civilisation’, revolutions and utopias’ (Harrington 2005, 1)

Four Major Social Theories

1. Functionalist Theory
2. Conflict Theory
3. Social Construction Theory
4. Symbolic Interaction Theory

Major ideas in Functionalism (Emile Durkheim)

• Society needs stability to survive.

• Institutions and Social Facts make society stable,

• Manifest functions and latent functions of institutions provide a clear explanation of an institution's or individual's activity in society.

• Interdependence and cooperation is a product of a stable society.

• Functionalism views society from a macro level perspective.

• Even if there is only 1 institution that malfunctions or does not serve society its purpose, the entire society can experience instability and may cause society to collapse.

Poll

In your opinion, which of the following can represent the general ideas of Functionalism?

Major ideas in Conflict Theory (Karl Marx)

• Society is the product of the continuing conflict between the capitalists (bourgeoisie) and the proletariat (working class)

• Conflict is inevitable and will always happen because of the existing reality of competition for material wealth, resources and power.

See - Think - Wonder

Describe what you see in the image/picture.

Tell us what you think is being shown in the image/picture

Express what you want to ask or find out about the message of the picture/image.

Major Ideas in Symbolic Interaction (Mead and Blumer)

• Society is developed through people's interaction.

• As people interact, they gave meanings to different symbols to which they agree.

• Symbols have meanings/value.

• The meaning of symbols can change over time.

• Symbols can unite or divide people

Multiple Select

What meaning for each symbol can you provide?