Deborah Gonzalez

SOC 001 Introductory Sociology

Sociological Perspectives Writing Assignment


Functionalist Perspective, Conflict Perspective, and Interactionist Perspective are three
primary theoretical perspectives or three different viewpoints on society. These
perspectives help explain how society influences people and how people influence society.
These perspectives are the main three methods sociologist analyze.

Functionalist Perspective
Functionalism or Functional theory sees society as a structure. A structure with
interrelated parts designed to meet the biological and social needs of individuals. Each
aspect of society is interdepend and contributes to societys stability and function.
The functionalist perspective is the viewpoint on how these interrelated parts make up the
structure. For example the government, our economy, our healthcare are all interrelated
parts of our society. These parts help contribute to make up the society and help it work
smoothly. At a macro-level part or high level these parts would be the government or
healthcare. At micro-level part or smaller part would be very specific relationships
between groups such as laws, morals, and religious beliefs. Both levels help make up the
structure of society.

The functionalist viewpoint on government, how does government contribute to our
society, is with laws. The government sets in place laws and helps enforce these laws by
punishing criminals. These laws are created to help keep us safe and to set order. These
laws provide us with jobs. The government also provides us with education by creating
schools and setting standards for our children. In return these schools help create law-
abiding citizens.

At the micro-level of functionalist perspective would be how families helps create well-
integrated members of society. Families teach us many of things that help us contribute or
improve to our society. Families teaches us about respect, how to responsible and instills
culture into our lives. Family also provides emotional security and care. The government
may provide schools and education but its the family that encourages us to attend school
and further educate ourselves.

Social Conflict Perspective
Conflict Theory views society as a competition for limited resources. Seeing society as
being made up of individuals who must compete for resources. Resources can be political
power, leisure time, money, housing and entertainment. This perspective explores how
race, gender, religion, class, or age is all linked to an unequal distribution of resources. This
theory also explores how the wealthy and powerful try to hold on to these materials by
suppressing the poor and powerless. When examining this perspective you look into
inequalities or unfairness. You look for exploitation or unjust manner.

The conflict perspective of gender would be an example of someone being treated unfair or
given a disadvantage due to their gender. One disadvantage would be finding jobs. This can
affect both men and women. Women have a disadvantage in corporate position such as
executives. Where men have a disadvantage with domestic position such as nannies or
housekeepers. The resources they both are competing for is jobs, money, and power.

Conflict theory can also play a positive role in society. Understanding the conflict can help
unite individuals by creating groups or alliances. It helps set group boundaries and inform
strategies for achieving desired change. Groups like the National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The NAACP was founded in 1909 and is a civil
rights organization whose mission is to ensure the political, educational, social, and
economic equality of rights to all people.

Interaction Perspective
Interaction perspective is one of the major theoretical perspectives. It studies everyday
interaction among individuals and how these individuals act toward one another in the
everyday life. Face to face process consisting of reactions, actions, and mutual variation
between two or more individuals. People hold a shared meaning because of their
interaction. For instance with the symbol of the American flag some may feel pride when
seeing it or freedom well others may see terrorism. These reactions to the flag are all
causes of their interactions with others and their perspective on the American flag. What
we view on the news or read in books.

An interaction viewpoint on boys and gangs. If a boy grows up in a neighborhood where a
majority of his peers belong to a gang will that boy in return join a gang? The boy interacts
with his peers. These peers are his friends and sometimes family members. Will his
interaction with these peers affect his decision on joining a gang? The perspective is
because a boy lives in a gang related area and interacts with these gangs everyday he will
join a gang.

The interaction perspective on teen pregnancy. We may view the pregnant teen as
irresponsible and make assumptions about her. We view her like this because society tells
us teen pregnancy is wrong.