Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology

Poll

What is this a picture of?

• An old lady

• A young girl

Poll

What is this a picture of?

• A vase or candle stick holder

• Two people facing one another

Lets Review:

Which perspective is better?

There is no better theoretical perspective.

Each highlights certain areas of social life.

The advantages of one are disadvantages to another.

Functionalism: explains much of the consensus, stability, and cooperation within a society.

The Conflict Perspective explains much of the constraint, conflict, and change. We will be looking at sociology through both perspectives, as well as the perspective discussed next—symbolic interactionism.

Next Time:

Symbolic Interactionism

The 3rd Theoretical Perspective