1. THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES
Unit 1 – Chapter 2
(Continued)

2. Symbolic Interactionism
A psychological theory
Developed by Charles Cooley &
George Herbert Mead
Explains how individuals behave based on their perceptions of themselves and of others

3. Symbolic Interactionism
People experience their social world, and define and interpret their experiences to give them meaning
The meanings that people give to their experience of the world matter, not the social facts

4. Symbolic Interactionism
Only after the mental process of “giving meaning” do people act
Mental processes are invisible, only
the actions that follow them are visible
Symbolic interactionists attempt to understand the point of view of the actor to explain the action

5. 3 Basic Concepts An individual develops a self that has 2 parts
The “me” that consists of objective qualities
Ex. tall, male, student
The “I” that is the subjective awareness of self
Ex. good student, shy, lonely
The “I” is based on how the individual interprets feedback from other people
Looking Glass Theory: “I am not what I think I am. I am not what you think I am. I am what I think you think I am.” (Charles Cooley)

6. 3 Basic Concepts
People must also “take the attitude of the other” to be able to anticipate what the other person will do and decide how they should respond.
This role taking is the basis for human interaction.
(George Mead)

7. 3 Basic Concepts
People are able to interact effectively only if they can communicate using a common language/shared symbols.
Language is the means by which individuals interpret and give meaning to their experiences of self and others in order to interact in relationships.
(George Mead)

8. Symbolic Interactionism
Example:
Men Are from Mars,
Women Are from Venus
By John Gray (1992)

9. Symbolic Interactionism
Limitation
Since the researcher perceives and interprets the actions of the individuals during the observation, the observations could be influenced by the researcher’s self-image and beliefs, which could be inaccurate

10. Social Exchange Theory
A psychological theory
Explains the social factors that influence how individuals interact within reciprocal relationships

11. Social Exchange Theory
Individuals are constrained by role expectations
They act within each role to maximize the benefits they will receive and to minimize the costs to themselves

12. Social Exchange Theory
Like Symbolic Interactionism, individuals interpret their experiences of self and others to determine the benefits and costs
The benefits and costs of a relationship are not facts, but are perceptions formed by each individual

13. Social Exchange Theory
Use Social Exchange Theory to explain the relationship between Hugh Hefner and his previous girlfriends.

14. Social Exchange Theory
Relationships are stable when benefits
balance the costs of the relationship
Benefits are rewarding because they
meet a perceived need
Ex. Physical/emotional security, access to goods and services, social approval
Costs of a relationship are those actions that meet the needs of another
Ex. Providing physical/emotional support, sharing goods and services

15. Social Exchange Theory
Individuals prefer relationships that are cost-effective, benefits outweigh the costs
Social Exchange Theory is used to explain how individuals make decisions to form and maintain relationships that might appear unacceptable to others
Some people are offended by the cost/benefit analysis which could be a limitation of the theory

16. Developmental Theories
Interdisciplinary approach
Describe patterns of growth and change throughout the human life span
As individuals progress through life, they face role expectations that challenge them to develop = developmental tasks
Describe predictable changes in the behaviour of individuals or families in different stages and how they adapt to changes

17. Developmental Theories
Examine biological, psychological, social and cultural factors that influence development
Explain factors that influence differences in behaviour demonstrated by individuals or families at different age-stages
Differences in behaviour could reflect factors that are typical of those born in the same period of time = cohort
Differences could also reflect social change rather than development

18. Developmental Theories
Family Life-Cycle Framework
Applies the developmental perspective to the life-spans of families
Families, like individuals, have life spans with predictable stages = normative events
Ex. Marriage, birth of a child, child leaving home
At each stage, the family faces specific developmental tasks that are prerequisites for moving on to the next stage

19. Developmental Theories
Family Life-Cycle Framework
Not all stages will fit all families
Some families will experience non-normative events
Ex. Death of a child
Assumes families at a similar stage of their life cycles face similar tasks

20. Conflict Theory A sociological and political theory
Explains how power holds a society together
Power = ability to control the behaviour of another
Conflict exists between groups in society because of inequalities in power
Groups compete with one another to meet their needs

21. Conflict Theory
If groups are in competition, then the needs of all will not be met equally
Competition can result in exploitation by individuals in the group with greater power over the group with lesser power
Society is organized into groups to divide people according to their power and to encourage competition

22. Conflict Theory
Unlike Functionalists, Conflict Theorists question why the structure of society does not work for everyone
“Functional for whom?”

23. Conflict Theory Karl Marx
Explained class divisions in Capitalist Societies in the 19th Century
Bourgeoisie: those who controlled the means of production, the wealthy owners of businesses and factories
Proletariat: the working people

24. Conflict Theory Karl Marx
The bourgeoisie were a small group in society with tremendous power because they controlled the livelihood of the proletariat/the masses
Eventually the bourgeoisie will become smaller and richer and the proletariat will become larger and poorer
Gap between the 2 groups will grow

25. Conflict Theory Karl Marx
A society would be stable if people perceived the dominant group as being more entitled to the benefits of society
Marx argued that inequalities need to be eliminated

26. Conflict Theory Friedrich Engels
Divisions between the sexes in marriage = Divisions between the classes
Maintains the class distinction of Capitalism
Men’s labour outside the home was paid
Women’s labour inside the home was unpaid

27. Conflict Theory Friedrich Engels
From all classes, men had the most economic power in the household
Women had to marry, reproduce and provide unpaid labour to maintain the family
Men could maintain their power by continuing to sell their labour for wages
Women could not have economic support without maintaining a marriage

28. Conflict Theory Friedrich Engels Conflict Theory
Oppression of women was linked to Capitalism and would not end until Capitalism was eliminated
Conflict Theory
Explains the relationship of men and women within a family as one of exploitation and oppression
Used for analyzing power and authority within the family

29. Feminist Theories Developed in the 2nd half of the 20th century
Explains the impact of sex and gender on behaviour
Considers issues of human behaviour from the point of view of women
Rooted in Conflict Theory, developed to separate sex and gender from class

30. Feminist Theories
Developed as a reaction to gender biases in sociology
Androcentricity: bias that assumes male experience and behaviour is human/female experience and behaviour
Double Standards: biases that apply different principles for evaluating the behaviour of men and women
Like Conflict Theory, change is required so the needs of all people are met

31. Feminist Theories
Explains social inequalities between men and women from a female perspective
Liberal Feminism:
discriminatory policies force women into an inferior social class that restricts their rights to participate fully in society
tries to change social policy through political means

32. Feminist Theories Radical Feminism:
Argues that the differences in power between men and women result in any male-female relationship as being exploitative
Only the development of a separate female culture can correct this

33. Feminist Theories Socialist Feminism
Based on the assumption that the status of women is a social inequality rooted in the sexual division of paid and unpaid labour
Challenges Capitalism and the Patriarchal model of the family