THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES A broad set of assumptions about society and social behavior which provides a point of view from which to study the social world in general, or specific social problems of concern.  Help us make sense out of the phenomena or events we observe by explaining their nature, and the various interrelationships between them.  Make the observed facts of social life understandable by placing things within a context which enables us to explain, to determine cause and effect, and to predict what may happen in the future.

Structural-functionalism  Views society as an organism, or system of interrelated parts. Studies the way each part of the society contributes to the functioning of the society as a whole.  Society tends to be an organized, stable, well-integrated system in which the various parts of the society have functions, and perform those functions reasonably well.  Functions can either be intended or unintended. Functions that are obvious and intended are called “manifest functions”, while functions that are unrecognized and unintended are called “latent functions”.  Something may actually disrupt the social equilibrium, and therefore, be dysfunctional. Dysfunctions can also be either manifest or latent.  A component of the social system can be functional in one respect and dysfunctional in another.

DISCUSSION Analyze Nate’s snow forecast example using Structural Functionalist perspective.

Conflict Perspective  Focuses on the darker sides of life such as social conflict and opposition.  Origin in the work of Karl Marx. Marx saw “conflict” as occurring between the “economic haves and have-nots”.  Modern conflict theorists see conflict among many groups and interests, and see conflict as an inevitable fact of life in any society.  Assumes that societies are in a constant state of turmoil, where conflict is a permanent feature.  Conflict doesn’t necessarily mean outright violence. It means tension, hostility, competition, and struggle.

DISCUSSION Tense and competitive relationship between the NWS and AccuWeather in Pennsylvania. Katrina response and recovery as it pertains to minorities and other disadvantaged groups.

Interactionist perspective  Emphasizes the importance of understanding the social world from the viewpoint of the individuals who act within it.  Concentrates on the day-to-day communication that occurs when people interact in everyday face-to-face situations.  Society is ultimately created, maintained, and changed via the everyday social interaction of its members.  Tries to understand how people create and interpret the events and situations they experience.  Emphasizes how countless instances of social interaction produce social life as we know it.

DISCUSSION How do people in a community help each other as they try to recover from a major weather event? How do they make sense out of what happened? How do they make sense out of what they are currently experiencing?

CLOSING THOUGHTS  Each perspective has its own strengths and weaknesses.  No one perspective is better than another.  Don’t be dogmatic – each perspective has its place.  View the perspectives as interchangeable camera lenses.