1.3 - Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology

Liam, Anika, and Elijah are studying sociology and they are discussing about structural functionalism. According to their discussion, what is the focus of structural functionalism?

• The way social processes have manifest and latent functions

• The way one-on-one interactions and communications behave

• The way inequities and inequalities contribute to social, political, and power differences

• The way each part of society functions together to contribute to the functioning of the whole

In a school project, Hannah, Avery, and Grace are studying structural functionalism. They are trying to understand how society maintains stability. What conclusion should they reach?

• Through manifest and latent functions, like a school teaching students not just academics, but also discipline and teamwork

• Through shared values, languages, and symbols, like the national flag or the common language spoken in a country

• Through social inequalities and power differences, like the different roles of people in a company

• Through one-on-one interactions and communications, like a teacher-student or a doctor-patient relationship

What are social facts according to Émile Durkheim?

• Laws, morals, values, religious beliefs, customs, fashion, and rituals that govern social life

• Consequences of a social process that are sought or anticipated

• Unsought consequences of a social process

• Processes that have undesirable consequences for the operation of society

What are manifest functions?

• Unsought consequences of a social process

• Processes that have undesirable consequences for the operation of society

• Social processes that perpetuate power and inequalities

• Consequences of a social process that are sought or anticipated

In a school project, Mason, Noah, and Aria are working together to organize a charity event. They anticipate certain ​ (a)   like raising funds and creating awareness. However, they also notice some ​ (b)   outcomes like strengthening their teamwork skills and improving their project management abilities. These are examples of ​ (c)   functions.

• latent
• manifest
• static
• unexpected
• expected
• outcomes
• problems

What are dysfunctions?

• Consequences of a social process that are sought or anticipated

• Social processes that have undesirable consequences for the operation of society

• Unsought consequences of a social process

• Processes that perpetuate power and inequalities

What is the main criticism of structural functionalism?

• It ignores the role of power and inequalities in society

• It is too focused on macro-level analysis

• It can't adequately explain social change

• It focuses too much on individual behavior

In a school project, Emma, Evelyn, and Jackson are studying different theories. They come across conflict theory. What real-world scenario does conflict theory focus on?

• Manifest and latent functions of social processes, like how a school operates

• Inequities and inequalities in society and how they perpetuate power differences, like the wealth gap between different social classes

• The way each part of society functions together to contribute to the functioning of the whole, like how different departments in a company work together

• One-on-one interactions and communications, like a conversation between Emma and Jackson

According to conflict theory, what do those with the most power do?

• Transmit the values of the most dominant groups

• Change the rules to the games to keep winning

• Work together to maintain stability

• React to cultural messages in school

What is the focus of symbolic interactionism?

• Manifest and latent functions of social processes

• One-on-one interactions and communications

• Inequities and inequalities in society and how they perpetuate power differences

• The way each part of society functions together to contribute to the functioning of the whole