Theoretical Perspectives

Pages 23-31Complete your Vocab for Section 3

Do questions 18-19-20

Perception—How the Brain Interprets what it

sees or experiences

Old Lady or YoungThis allusion is 100

years old!!Do you see a

beautiful young girl or a tired old woman.

It is difficult (impossible?) to see both images at the

same time.

Because we are used to seeing something one way….

Sociology has 3 different perspectives—

Which one is right? Don’t know. All, one, none.

They are “Theoretical Perspectives”—assumptions accepted as true.

THE Sociological Perspectives

• Functionalism• Conflict Perspective• Symbolic Interactionism

Each perspective is held true by it’s supporters

• These assumptions help them organize their research.

• The theories can exist at the same time;

• They can conflict with one another and

• They can encourage growth• Most of all, they EXPLAIN!!

Your turn…

• Activity• Divide into equal groups—

– a. You will “outline” your theory in a “bulleted fashion describing • What the theory is and facts that can make it easier to

understand.• Important People? Associated with your theory.• How does this theory contribute to society?

– b. You will figure out a way to demonstrate one of these theories to your classmates. You must be able to demonstrate your theory in less than 90 seconds and then explain what you’re demonstrating—just in case we can’t figure out your “acting.”

Functionalism

• Sees society as a whole—all parts of society contributing the success.

• A change in one part leads to a change in the whole

• This change may lead to unrest but the parts will lead it back to stability—even though it may look a bit different…

2010

Think more seriously

• How women change if men are taken to war.

• How Civil rights led to educational changes.

• How the changes in the economy can change life.

• How mom / dad’s role in the home can change a family…

Side Note: (sort of…)

• There are 2 types of change—the intended change known as manifest function and the secondary—latent function that may happen as a result– You have to walk ½ to your new school…

• Manifest function—get to school• Latent—more exercise, lose weight!

• Not all functions (change) are positive but it contributes

Dysfunction• These are the “down side” functions

• On your walk to school, you may get wet in the weather here or your tardies may increase…

To conclude: functionalism• American society agrees on the importance of

our values in a functional society and therefore we cooperate to accomplish these….

Think about it: How has school Changed for you in your career…

123

Now, what are the manifest and latent functions of your education…123

123

Activity—Crossing the River• The person who can persuade the person

across from them to change sides will get a reward.– You cannot speak to one another.– There can be only one winner– You have 5 minutes

ObservorsWhat do you see happeningWhat methods were used to solve the problemDescribe any sort of cooperation, frustration or

problems that occur

Everyone:

• What role did competition play? • How does power come into play? • What happens to the person who

does NOT have the power?• What attitude did the winners and

losers exhibit?• As the “power” shifted, what began

to happen?

Think about---• American military vrs Taliban? Japanese?

Germans? Whomever at a particular time.• Whites v. Blacks right after Civil War,

Blacks vrs white during the civil rights era.• American cavalry v. the Native Americans

in the 1880s THEN the Native Americans v. the American authorities during the 1980’s

• Women wanting out of the home v. men who didn’t want to let them go

• Teenagers v. parents / teachers

Through conflict there is changeChange comes with the shift in power

Conflict can be “painful” but can lead to positive change.

The people with the power control—constrain—those who don’t (who lose…)

Competition plays a big part in looking at the conflict perspective.

Symbolic Interactionism

• Change your thoughts from large group to how people interact.

• New thought: groups change because of the members and how they interact…

SymbolsSomething chosen to represent something

else.

A gesture or word an expression

• Symbols are real ways of expressing something that you may not be able to see.

• The symbol itself doesn’t necessarily mean anything…Those who create it give its meaning.

By accepting common symbols, cooperation (and all

that goes with it) results.

Symbolic Interactionism

• Interaction based on mutually understood

symbols.

How do we learn Symbolic Interactionism

• From watching other people• By reacting to the symbols• By deciding how WE will use them—

interact to/with others• Internal conversations• This determines how society will proceed

Dramaturgy• Human interaction as drama

Internal ConversationWatch

TVDo your

homework