Sociological Perspectives: Functionalism, Conflict, and Interactionism

The functionalist perspective is largely based on the works of Herbert Spencer and Émile Durkheim. According to functionalism, society is a system of interconnected parts that work together in harmony to maintain a state of balance and social equilibrium for the whole. For example, each of the social institutions contributes important functions for society: Family provides a context for reproducing, nurturing, and socializing children; education offers a way to transmit a society’s skills, knowledge,

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Social Class Theories: Functionalist and Marxist Views

Theories of Social Class

Society is stratified; we are not all equal.

Functionalist Theory of Social Class and Inequality

The functionalist perspective assumes that society operates as a working whole. This perspective assumes that each stratum of society has an important function, and this explains its development and continued existence. Society operates using a system of rewards and negative sanctions based on value consensus. Strata in society are formed and developed through value consensus, where

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Understanding Groups, Sexuality, Deviance, and Stratification

Chapter 5: Groups and Organizations

Difference Between Group and Crowd

People in groups interact constantly, whereas in a crowd, they might not necessarily interact.

Difference Between Primary and Secondary Groups

A primary group is a close-knit group, such as family. A secondary group is a larger, more impersonal group, such as co-workers.

Instrumental and Expressive Leadership Roles

  • Instrumental: Task-oriented
  • Expressive: People-oriented

Authoritarian, Democratic, and Laissez-Faire Leadership Styles

  • Authoritarian:
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Race: Social Construct vs. Biological Determinant

Is the Biological Understanding of Race Still Relevant?

Race as a biological category has not completely disappeared, even though the science behind it has been debunked. Some Trump supporters and elements in the far-right spectrum of politics still believe some races are inherently predisposed to commit violent and criminal acts. Also, some organizations and so-called philosophers push pseudo-theories to justify racial disparities when it comes to economic well-being.

Are the Problems Associated

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Sociological Perspectives: Gender, Race, Class, and Environment

Gender

  • Social roles
  • Interactions: Heterosexual relationships
  • Goffman: Always on stage
  • Bathroom: Unequal access
  • Career: Role expectations
  • Women as “open persons”
  • Women’s jobs
  • Double consciousness
  • Doing the self through gender
  • Deviance when behaving differently
  • West & Zimmerman (Doing Gender): Quote emergent / Differences between girls and boys / Gender display / Gender accountability
  • Mitchell Duneier & Harvey Molotch: Street people harassment / Civil inattention
  • Thorne & Luria: Preadolescent
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Marx’s Capital: Analysis of Capitalism and Communism

Capital: Marx’s Most Important Work

Capital, the most important work of Marx, begins with an analysis of the merchandise. This has a double value: use value and exchange value. The use value of merchandise is based on the quality of the commodity through which it fills a need rather than another. The exchange value of goods is the amount of socially necessary labor to produce it. The exchange of goods is not so much a relationship between things as a relationship between men. Work (labor force) is

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