In Sociology, society can be viewed in multiple ways. There is no one straight way of studying human behavior for it is a complex and multi dimensional concept that is better understood with various angles of interpretations. Although there is no one approach that’s correct by itself, Sociologists are still able to draw on multiple understanding of sociology to better understand of social behavior and human groups. With the following information on the five major perspectives of sociology, one will be able to better understand that sociology can be viewed from multiple angles that can either be similar or different from one another. It will compare the similarities and differences amongst functionalism, conflict theory, feminism, queer theory, and interactionism. A society where all living organisms play an important role to maintain stability and continue to survive is known as the functionalist perspective. According to Talcott Parsons, a key figure in functionalism, a society is an interconnected network of different parts that help maintain the system of society as a whole (Schaefer 14). In turn, if one aspect of life is not promoted, it will not be passed on to the next generation, but not every part of society contributes to the stability of social life and one dysfunctional aspect, whether one might view it as dysfunctional depends on their own beliefs, can disrupt social stability. The functionalist perspective is also the study of macrosociology where entire civilizations or large phenomena are analyzed. It views the individual as someone who learns to achieve societal functions to contribute to the social order that is stabilized through collaboration and harmony. Unlike functionalism, where the society is stable, unified, and has a predictable social change; the conflict perspective is branded with tension and struggle between groups. The conflict perspective is a macrosociology study of the endless social struggle that has filled the world.
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Although both functionalism and conflict study large societies, they do not align on their view what society is. Conflict theorists believe that individuals are shaped by having power, being pressured, and forced by authority. Conflict does not mean individuals are violent, but have disputes over resources, housing, and food or tension between groups competing for political positions, controversial social stances, and war involvement. In addition to the Karl Marx view of inevitability of the struggle between social classes, sociologists have realized that conflict is not just a single phenomenon, but is part of everyday life in all societies (Schaefer 14). Conflict is not only in social competition, but also in economic standing that demonstrates the inequality of a capitalist economy that unfairly privileges the rich, who have the power to control the system and use it to their advantage resulting in stratification of a low class society who have none to little power of improving their circumstances. Inequality is not only seen in social competition or economic standing, but in gender biases of the feminist perspective. Sociologists, who view research through the feminist perspective, see inequality in gender as the main aspect of all behavior and organization. Since feminism focuses on one characteristic of inequality and focuses on macrosociology research, it is often similar and paired with conflict perspective (Schaefer 15). It also views feminism on a micro level, analyzing face-to-face interactions. Some feminists believe that in most societies, where it is male dominated, women’s oppression is inevitable, but some believe that women’s subservience is inherent in a capitalist society. It also addresses the understanding of sexuality to be exclusively heterosexual as bias and discriminatory to all other types of relationships (Boundless, n.d.). Heterosexism can be seen on both an institutional level, e.g. permitting heterosexual marriage only, and on an individual level, e.g. criticism from family. Thus, feminist understandings of heterosexism support queer theory, which is the study of society from the perspective of a broad spectrum of sexual identities. Queer perspective is the study of society through heterosexuality, homosexuality, and bisexuality. It suggests that sexual identities are social ideas that society has created and are capable of changing them as well. Therefore, there is no abnormal or ordinary sexual category, just what meanings society puts to each sexual category. According to Foucault what is regarded as normal sexuality varies from culture and time period and should be embraced for
Although both functionalism and conflict study large societies, they do not align on their view what society is. Conflict theorists believe that individuals are shaped by having power, being pressured, and forced by authority. Conflict does not mean individuals are violent, but have disputes over resources, housing, and food or tension between groups competing for political positions, controversial social stances, and war involvement. In addition to the Karl Marx view of inevitability of the struggle between social classes, sociologists have realized that conflict is not just a single phenomenon, but is part of everyday life in all societies (Schaefer 14). Conflict is not only in social competition, but also in economic standing that demonstrates the inequality of a capitalist economy that unfairly privileges the rich, who have the power to control the system and use it to their advantage resulting in stratification of a low class society who have none to little power of improving their circumstances. Inequality is not only seen in social competition or economic standing, but in gender biases of the feminist perspective. Sociologists, who view research through the feminist perspective, see inequality in gender as the main aspect of all behavior and organization. Since feminism focuses on one characteristic of inequality and focuses on macrosociology research, it is often similar and paired with conflict perspective (Schaefer 15). It also views feminism on a micro level, analyzing face-to-face interactions. Some feminists believe that in most societies, where it is male dominated, women’s oppression is inevitable, but some believe that women’s subservience is inherent in a capitalist society. It also addresses the understanding of sexuality to be exclusively heterosexual as bias and discriminatory to all other types of relationships (Boundless, n.d.). Heterosexism can be seen on both an institutional level, e.g. permitting heterosexual marriage only, and on an individual level, e.g. criticism from family. Thus, feminist understandings of heterosexism support queer theory, which is the study of society from the perspective of a broad spectrum of sexual identities. Queer perspective is the study of society through heterosexuality, homosexuality, and bisexuality. It suggests that sexual identities are social ideas that society has created and are capable of changing them as well. Therefore, there is no abnormal or ordinary sexual category, just what meanings society puts to each sexual category. According to Foucault what is regarded as normal sexuality varies from culture and time period and should be embraced for