Sociology is the systematic study of human behavior and is observed through one of three major lenses (structural functionalism, social conflict, and symbolic interactionism). For this assignment, think about your own life, experiences, schooling, family, work, etc. In a one page paper, define each of the major sociological perspectives/lenses and explore how different aspects of your own life can be understood through each of the three sociological lenses. Be sure to include references to support your definitions, but actually define the sociological perspectives in your own words.
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Sociology is the scientific study of human behavior in society, which encompasses various perspectives or lenses that provide insights into different aspects of social life. Three major sociological perspectives are structural functionalism, social conflict, and symbolic interactionism.
Structural functionalism views society as a complex system made up of interdependent parts that work together to maintain stability and order. According to this perspective, society’s structures and institutions, such as education, family, and religion, serve specific functions to promote social harmony and ensure the survival of society as a whole. For instance, my experience of attending school can be understood through this lens as schools have the function of preparing individuals for their roles in society by providing education and socialization.
Social conflict theory posits that society is characterized by social inequality and competition over scarce resources. This perspective emphasizes the role of power and domination in shaping social relations and the distribution of resources. In my own life, social conflict theory can explain my experience of working for a company where the CEO and the executives hold the power and make the decisions while the workers have limited power and are in a subordinate position.
Symbolic interactionism focuses on the ways in which individuals create meaning through their interactions with others and with symbols, such as language, gestures, and objects. This perspective emphasizes the importance of communication and interpretation in shaping social reality. For example, my experience of attending family gatherings can be understood through this perspective as the way I interact with my family members, the symbols we use, and the meanings we attach to them all shape our perceptions of family relationships and dynamics.
In conclusion, each of the sociological perspectives provides a unique lens through which we can understand different aspects of social life. By applying these perspectives to our own experiences, we can gain a deeper understanding of how society operates and how our lives are shaped by social structures, power relations, and interactions with others.
References
Macionis, J. J., & Plummer, K. (2021). Sociology: A global introduction (7th ed.). Pearson.
Collins, R. (2020). Conflict theory and the advance of macro-historical sociology. American Sociological Review, 85(4), 573-600.
Charmaz, K. (2021). Symbolic interactionism. In Oxford Bibliographies. Oxford University Press.
