Sociological Theories And Concepts Of Functionalism And...

Sociology is the study which seeks to understand society, social life and to understand ourselves, humans, as part of that social world [Giddens, A, 2006, p.2]. The term ‘sociology’ was developed by Auguste Comte, a French philosopher, in 1838. Comte believed that scientific facts are able to explain the social world. Sociologists, such as Comte, study issues including: education, inequality and religion. Comte believed that sociologists play crucial roles in guiding society. In the 18th century the ‘Enlightenment’, which was a philosophical movement that stressed human reasoning over bling faith and obedience. At the time it was different to the religious and political order, as it encouraged a ‘scientific’ was of thinking. Political†¦show more content†¦The ‘Sociological Imagination’ is a new way of thinking. One of the main sociological theories is functionalism. Functionalism is a macro-consensus theory. The fact that it is ‘macro’ means it analyses society through social institutions such as: peer groups, education, workplace, mass media and religion, and the fact that it is ‘consensus’ means functionalists focus on the harmony is society ad see society working as a human body would [https://www.thoughtco.com/functionalist-perspective-3026625]. They claim society is made up of interrelated parts that work together to maintain homeostasis. Functionalists see the world through rose-tinted glasses so focus on the stability, harmony and continuity of society as a whole. Hence, they have a positive outlook on society. However, a drawback to functionalism is that it doesn’t look at or focus on an individual and their role in society. This theory can be linked to social stratification. Social stratification is a concept which focuses on the existence of struct ural inequalities within society. The most distinctive form of this comes via the social class, the division of society into the upper, middle and lower/working class. Also, society can be stratified according to age, gender and ethnicity [Bottero, W. 2005:03]. This shows the link between an individual and society as it proclaims that society is positively layeredShow MoreRelatedSociological Theories And Concepts Of Functionalism And Stratification1515 Words   |  7 Pagesinitiation of Social Order, which still concerns sociologists to this day. This essay will cover the sociological theories and concepts of: Functionalism and Stratification, Marxism and Social Order, and lastly Social Action and Socialisation, and it will show the relationship between an individual and the society in which they live. In 1959, sociologist C. Wright Mills published the ‘Sociological Imagination’; a book in which he asked three main questions: what is the structure of this particularRead MoreCompare and Contrast Functionalist and Marxist Theories of Stratification.1537 Words   |  7 PagesCompare and Contrast Functionalist and Marxist Theories of Stratification Stratification is the separation of society into layers which are distinguished by unequal rewards and life chances and many systems of stratification have been based on slavery, caste and feudalism. Slavery, being the oldest and most extreme form of stratification, involves the enslavement or ownership of others. This ownership came about as a result of conquest, trade, kidnapping, hereditary status or the repayment ofRead MoreThe Industrial Revolution Of The Nineteenth Century1357 Words   |  6 Pagesrural to urban areas; and liberal democracy which emphasised the citizenship rights of each person and how they could make decisions on how to change their country rather than having to follow the rule of a monarch which loosely ties in with micro theories. Lee and Newby (1983) noted that â€Å"there was widespread agreement among observers and commentators at this time that Northern Europe and North America were passing through the most profound transformation of society in the history of mankind† in theRead MoreWhy Does Gender Stratification Exist? Essay1049 Words   |  5 Pages‘Wrap Your Mind around the Theory’ Question: Why does gender stratification exist? Introduction: Throughout history, women have been regarded as of lesser value than men particularly in the public sphere. This is the result of gender stratification. Gender stratification refers to the issue of sexism, â€Å"or the belief that one sex is superior to the other† (Carl et al., 2012, p. 78). The theory that men are superior to women is essential to sexism. The negative consequences of sexism has led to theRead MoreThree Theoretical Approaches to Sociology1326 Words   |  6 Pages3 Major Theoretical Approaches to Sociology Functionalism (a.k.a. Structural Functionalism, Functional Analysis, Positivism): Until relatively modern times the prevalent sociological perspective was Functionalism, a paradigm which analyzes social structures (such as religion, schooling, or race relations) to deduce what social functions (such as marriage conventions, college attendance, or hiring practices) derive from them. This theoretical approach views society as a system of inter-dependentRead MoreSociology, Social Closure Essay (Higher)1585 Words   |  7 PagesAnalyse the extent to which social closure exists in UK society. Use two contrasting theories and relevant studies in your answer. INTRO Social stratification is the way in which society is stratified or made up of layers of social groups in a hierarchical way. Class stratification is a form of social stratification, which tends to split separate classes, whose members have contrasting access to resources and power. In Britain, society is structured in terms of inequality. Different classes tendRead MoreAn Insight Into Contemporary British And Indian Societies980 Words   |  4 Pageswill demonstrate some key concepts in sociology by providing an insight into how contemporary British and Indian societies have held together through common cultures but are unequal and divided. It will explain how shared culture, social organisation, values and norms between the two societies may help produce stability and conformity within themselves. It will also highlight that there are systematic differences between societies in relation to key sociological concepts. The text will demonstrateRead MoreBiography Of Robert Merton s The ory And Methodology768 Words   |  4 PagesColumbia University and died in 2003 (Calhoun et. al 2007: 402). Theory and Methodology Merton was a functional theorist that focused on â€Å"middle range† events or circumstances in society. His research and theories focused on societal occurrences that were not overly specific or abstract. Merton also distinguished between the functions of actions and beliefs in part to address the criticisms of early organic functional theories. He theorized different functions meant that not all actions and beliefsRead MoreSymbolic Interactionist Perspective In Sociology1543 Words   |  7 PagesAccording to the Functionalist Perspective, also known as functionalism, each aspect of society is interdependent and the parts its people have in it all contribute to society’s functioning as a whole. Largely based on the works of Herbert Spencer, Emile Durkheim, Talcott Parsons, and Robert Merton, functionalism states that society is a system of interconnected parts that rely on each other to maintain balance and social equilibrium. Functionalism emphasizes the interconn ectedness of society by focusingRead More Comparing Functionism, Marxism, and Social Action Theory Essay1538 Words   |  7 Pages Sociology is generally made up of three paradigms: Functionalism, Conflict Theory and Symbolic interactionism. A paradigm is a set of assumptions that shape and underlie explanations of why society is the way it is (Early Stratification Theory, internet 2003). Functional Theory is often traced from Durkheim, Parsons and Merton. Functionalists believe in shared norms and values, which are influenced by the Family, Education, church and employment. It sees Sociological Theories And Concepts Of Functionalism And... sociology is the study which seeks to understand society, social life and to understand ourselves, humans, as part of that social world [http://www.sociologyonline.co.uk]. The term ‘sociology’ was developed by Auguste Comte, a French philosopher, in 1838. Comte believed that scientific facts are able to explain the social world. Sociologists, such as Comte, study issues including: education, inequality and religion. Comte believed that sociologists play crucial roles in guiding society. In the 18th century the ‘Enlightenment’, which was a philosophical movement that stressed human reasoning over bling faith and obedience. At the time it was different to the religious and political order, as it encouraged a ‘scientific’ was of thinking.†¦show more content†¦The ‘Sociological Imagination’ is a new way of thinking. One of the main sociological theories is functionalism. Functionalism is a macro-consensus theory. The fact that it is ‘macro’ means it analyses society through social institutions such as: peer groups, education, workplace, mass media and religion, and the fact that it is ‘consensus’ means functionalists focus on the harmony is society ad see society working as a human body would [https://www.thoughtco.com/functionalist-perspective-3026625]. They claim society is made up of interrelated parts that work together to maintain homeostasis. Functionalists see the world through rose-tinted glasses so focus on the stability, harmony and continuity of society as a whole. Hence, they have a positive outlook on society. However, a drawback to functionalism is that it doesn’t look at or focus on an individual and their role in society. This theory can be linked to social stratification. Social stratification is a concept which focuses on the existence of struct ural inequalities within society. The most distinctive form of this comes via the social class, the division of society into the upper, middle and lower/working class. Also, society can be stratified according to age, gender and ethnicity [Bottero, W. 2005:03]. This shows the link between an individual and society as it proclaims that society is positivelyShow MoreRelatedSociological Theories And Concepts Of Functionalism And Stratification1518 Words   |  7 Pagesinitiation of Social Order, which still concerns sociologists to this day. This essay will cover the sociological theories and concepts of: Functionalism and Stratification, Marxism and Social Order, and lastly Social Action and Socialisation, and it will show the relationship between an individual and the society in which they live. In 1959, sociologist C. Wright Mills published the ‘Sociological Imagination’; a book in which he asked three main questions: what is the structure of this particularRead MoreCompare and Contrast Functionalist and Marxist Theories of Stratification.1537 Words   |  7 PagesCompare and Contrast Functionalist and Marxist Theories of Stratification Stratification is the separation of society into layers which are distinguished by unequal rewards and life chances and many systems of stratification have been based on slavery, caste and feudalism. Slavery, being the oldest and most extreme form of stratification, involves the enslavement or ownership of others. This ownership came about as a result of conquest, trade, kidnapping, hereditary status or the repayment ofRead MoreThe Industrial Revolution Of The Nineteenth Century1357 Words   |  6 Pagesrural to urban areas; and liberal democracy which emphasised the citizenship rights of each person and how they could make decisions on how to change their country rather than having to follow the rule of a monarch which loosely ties in with micro theories. Lee and Newby (1983) noted that â€Å"there was widespread agreement among observers and commentators at this time that Northern Europe and North America were passing through the most profound transformation of society in the history of mankind† in theRead MoreWhy Does Gender Stratification Exist? Essay1049 Words   |  5 Pages‘Wrap Your Mind around the Theory’ Question: Why does gender stratification exist? Introduction: Throughout history, women have been regarded as of lesser value than men particularly in the public sphere. This is the result of gender stratification. Gender stratification refers to the issue of sexism, â€Å"or the belief that one sex is superior to the other† (Carl et al., 2012, p. 78). The theory that men are superior to women is essential to sexism. The negative consequences of sexism has led to theRead MoreThree Theoretical Approaches to Sociology1326 Words   |  6 Pages3 Major Theoretical Approaches to Sociology Functionalism (a.k.a. Structural Functionalism, Functional Analysis, Positivism): Until relatively modern times the prevalent sociological perspective was Functionalism, a paradigm which analyzes social structures (such as religion, schooling, or race relations) to deduce what social functions (such as marriage conventions, college attendance, or hiring practices) derive from them. This theoretical approach views society as a system of inter-dependentRead MoreSociology, Social Closure Essay (Higher)1585 Words   |  7 PagesAnalyse the extent to which social closure exists in UK society. Use two contrasting theories and relevant studies in your answer. INTRO Social stratification is the way in which society is stratified or made up of layers of social groups in a hierarchical way. Class stratification is a form of social stratification, which tends to split separate classes, whose members have contrasting access to resources and power. In Britain, society is structured in terms of inequality. Different classes tendRead MoreAn Insight Into Contemporary British And Indian Societies980 Words   |  4 Pageswill demonstrate some key concepts in sociology by providing an insight into how contemporary British and Indian societies have held together through common cultures but are unequal and divided. It will explain how shared culture, social organisation, values and norms between the two societies may help produce stability and conformity within themselves. It will also highlight that there are systematic differences between societies in relation to key sociological concepts. The text will demonstrateRead MoreBiography Of Robert Merton s The ory And Methodology768 Words   |  4 PagesColumbia University and died in 2003 (Calhoun et. al 2007: 402). Theory and Methodology Merton was a functional theorist that focused on â€Å"middle range† events or circumstances in society. His research and theories focused on societal occurrences that were not overly specific or abstract. Merton also distinguished between the functions of actions and beliefs in part to address the criticisms of early organic functional theories. He theorized different functions meant that not all actions and beliefsRead MoreSymbolic Interactionist Perspective In Sociology1543 Words   |  7 PagesAccording to the Functionalist Perspective, also known as functionalism, each aspect of society is interdependent and the parts its people have in it all contribute to society’s functioning as a whole. Largely based on the works of Herbert Spencer, Emile Durkheim, Talcott Parsons, and Robert Merton, functionalism states that society is a system of interconnected parts that rely on each other to maintain balance and social equilibrium. Functionalism emphasizes the interconn ectedness of society by focusingRead More Comparing Functionism, Marxism, and Social Action Theory Essay1538 Words   |  7 Pages Sociology is generally made up of three paradigms: Functionalism, Conflict Theory and Symbolic interactionism. A paradigm is a set of assumptions that shape and underlie explanations of why society is the way it is (Early Stratification Theory, internet 2003). Functional Theory is often traced from Durkheim, Parsons and Merton. Functionalists believe in shared norms and values, which are influenced by the Family, Education, church and employment. It sees