symbolic interactionism & feminism
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Two More Sociological TheoriesTwo More Sociological Theories
Conflict theory’s assumptions: competition for scare resources and the struggle for power are at the heart of all social interactions
Examples are abundant: child abuse, terrorism, sexism, strikes, economic control of populace by big banks, etc..
they don’t deny that some social relationships are ‘functional’ but ask the bigger question, ‘For whom are they functional’? Not all social relationships are positive for the society (functionalist’s perspective) -example of rules in prison
Conflict theory’s assumptions: competition for scare resources and the struggle for power are at the heart of all social interactions
Examples are abundant: child abuse, terrorism, sexism, strikes, economic control of populace by big banks, etc..
they don’t deny that some social relationships are ‘functional’ but ask the bigger question, ‘For whom are they functional’? Not all social relationships are positive for the society (functionalist’s perspective) -example of rules in prison
Review of Conflict TheoryReview of Conflict Theory
Critique of Conflict TheoryCritique of Conflict Theory
over emphasis of the significance of power struggles
ignores many aspects of social life where consensus is possible (example: shared values - health care system)
struggle happens but so does harmony and balance
over emphasis of the significance of power struggles
ignores many aspects of social life where consensus is possible (example: shared values - health care system)
struggle happens but so does harmony and balance
Review FunctionalismReview Functionalism
Functionalists assume that balance, harmony and consensus are the motors of social relations (interdependent parts that change with challenges and conflict but ultimately seek equilibrium)
Each part (group) exists for a reason and has a ‘function’ to perform
a change in one group of the society will mean a corresponding change in another group
social systems don’t change as long as their parts function properly
Functionalists assume that balance, harmony and consensus are the motors of social relations (interdependent parts that change with challenges and conflict but ultimately seek equilibrium)
Each part (group) exists for a reason and has a ‘function’ to perform
a change in one group of the society will mean a corresponding change in another group
social systems don’t change as long as their parts function properly
Critique of FunctionalismCritique of Functionalism
Overemphasizes the harmony and balance possible in social systems
presume that order is more basic than change
implies that the status quo is best
doesn’t explain revolutions and sudden change well (especially in societies where abuse of power brought about the revolution...Egypt, Libya, etc..)
Overemphasizes the harmony and balance possible in social systems
presume that order is more basic than change
implies that the status quo is best
doesn’t explain revolutions and sudden change well (especially in societies where abuse of power brought about the revolution...Egypt, Libya, etc..)
Example of prisons: What is functional for the guards might be highly dysfunctional for the prisoners
Cutbacks in funding means fewer guards and this is seen as dysfunctional by society but functional by inmates because the prison has been weakened
Manifest function: protect society
Latent function: create better criminals?
Example of prisons: What is functional for the guards might be highly dysfunctional for the prisoners
Cutbacks in funding means fewer guards and this is seen as dysfunctional by society but functional by inmates because the prison has been weakened
Manifest function: protect society
Latent function: create better criminals?
Manifest & Latent FunctionsManifest & Latent Functions
Symbolic InteractionismSymbolic Interactionism
3rd theory (George Mead & Charles Cooley)
a micro orientation focusing on how individual people behave in particular social settings
Functionalist and conflict theory see groups, organizations and institutions as exerting STRONG influence on people’s behaviour
Sym. Int. = social structures only have the meaning that the individual assigns to them
3rd theory (George Mead & Charles Cooley)
a micro orientation focusing on how individual people behave in particular social settings
Functionalist and conflict theory see groups, organizations and institutions as exerting STRONG influence on people’s behaviour
Sym. Int. = social structures only have the meaning that the individual assigns to them
Symbolic MeaningSymbolic Meaning
The meaning of a social reality is not predetermined: its meaning is created by the individual
Example: marriage or living together? Predetermined meaning or not?
Meaning is made as a result of people interacting together; thus = symbolic interactionism
People don’t respond to the world around them but to the meaning that they collectively apply to it.
The meaning of a social reality is not predetermined: its meaning is created by the individual
Example: marriage or living together? Predetermined meaning or not?
Meaning is made as a result of people interacting together; thus = symbolic interactionism
People don’t respond to the world around them but to the meaning that they collectively apply to it.
Changing TimesChanging Times
As socially accepted definitions change (example: being ‘gay’ or ‘immigrant’) our behaviour changes. This change is the result of the shift in attitudes that people create because they have redefined what X means.
In research, symbolic interactionists must spend vast amounts of time attempting to understand how their subjects perceive their world since their starting point is that no objective reality is possible because we assign meaning
As socially accepted definitions change (example: being ‘gay’ or ‘immigrant’) our behaviour changes. This change is the result of the shift in attitudes that people create because they have redefined what X means.
In research, symbolic interactionists must spend vast amounts of time attempting to understand how their subjects perceive their world since their starting point is that no objective reality is possible because we assign meaning
CritiqueCritique
It is not a macro theory and therefore lacks the wider perspective of what make a society ‘tick’
Yes, social reality is constructed and this liberates people to be able to change undesirable elements of their lives
But as a theory, it lacks a perspective of the ‘big picture’; ie: the institutions and power structures that exert pressure on the individual
It is not a macro theory and therefore lacks the wider perspective of what make a society ‘tick’
Yes, social reality is constructed and this liberates people to be able to change undesirable elements of their lives
But as a theory, it lacks a perspective of the ‘big picture’; ie: the institutions and power structures that exert pressure on the individual
Theories and research have been ANDROCENTRIC in traditional sociology
Research done on males does not reveal the female reality
Example: major theories of crime are based on research into men’s lives and poorly explain why women turn to crime. Social inequalities poor, homeless, drug addicts) are ideas supported by BOTH the powerful and powerless (the latter ‘buy into’ their own victimization)
Theories and research have been ANDROCENTRIC in traditional sociology
Research done on males does not reveal the female reality
Example: major theories of crime are based on research into men’s lives and poorly explain why women turn to crime. Social inequalities poor, homeless, drug addicts) are ideas supported by BOTH the powerful and powerless (the latter ‘buy into’ their own victimization)
Feminist TheoryFeminist Theory
Conflict + FeministConflict + Feminist
unequal power relationships between men and women are easily explained by conflict theory
example: the pill, women in the workforce, babies, daycare and the economy
female juveniles serve longer prison sentences even for less serious crimes
precocious sexuality gets young women in trouble more than their male counterparts
unequal power relationships between men and women are easily explained by conflict theory
example: the pill, women in the workforce, babies, daycare and the economy
female juveniles serve longer prison sentences even for less serious crimes
precocious sexuality gets young women in trouble more than their male counterparts
GenderOn 31 December 1999, a review of CSC's offender management system revealed that the majority of homicide offenders listed to date are male (96.6%). There were 211 (4.4%) cases of a female offender for whom a homicide offence was listed.
GenderOn 31 December 1999, a review of CSC's offender management system revealed that the majority of homicide offenders listed to date are male (96.6%). There were 211 (4.4%) cases of a female offender for whom a homicide offence was listed.
The Feminist PerspectiveThe Feminist Perspective
It is clear that most crimes are committed by men but we still must account for class and minority status
system social inequalities exist and are accepted as ‘reality’ by both powerful and powerless
the privileged are challenged only when the ‘powerless’ gain resources sufficient to challenge them (example: women’s economic power)
Critique: objectivity or bias in research?
It is clear that most crimes are committed by men but we still must account for class and minority status
system social inequalities exist and are accepted as ‘reality’ by both powerful and powerless
the privileged are challenged only when the ‘powerless’ gain resources sufficient to challenge them (example: women’s economic power)
Critique: objectivity or bias in research?
Case StudyCase Study
• Examine this case using either one of the four theories you have learned so far. Click on the link to listen to the 14 minute video. Which theory best describes this social situation?
• http://www.onf.ca/film/femme_de_tete/
• Examine this case using either one of the four theories you have learned so far. Click on the link to listen to the 14 minute video. Which theory best describes this social situation?
• http://www.onf.ca/film/femme_de_tete/
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