Functionalism Conflict Theory Essay

Knowledge is shaped by the tender world. (Karl Mannheim.) Though trying to interpret the social world may seem difficult, sociologists managed to create third theories on how different areas of the world fit with one an other as hearty as working hand in hand with severally other. The three theories are known as tokenic Interactionism, Functionalism and Conflict guess. Each conjecture serves as a signifi puket survey on how individuals consider social life and how it effects society as a whole.The first perspective would kick in to be the simplest of all and is categorized as a micro level since it is foc functiond on smaller home than the remaining perspectives. Symbolic Interactionism was founded by Charles Horton Cooley (1864-1929), William I. Thomas (1863-1947) and George Herbert Mead (18-63-1931). According to the textbook, symbolic interactionism means a suppositious perspective in which society is viewed as composed of symbols that people use to establish meaning , develop their views of the world and communicate with one a nonher. In other words, it means symbols have an attached meaning that effect the way we view the world and communicate with individuals.Examples of symbols are family members, relationships, language, co-workers, etc. If there were no symbols in our life, we wouldnt know who we are related to or who to give authorization to. For example, at your job you are required to respect the person of noble authority which may be your manager or your boss, (depending on your symbol at your facility). In your family, the symbols would be your mother, father, brother, sister, aunts, uncles, etc. No matter what area, distributively symbol has a different behavior and interacts differently unlike the rest. To set apart this down, lets compare the relationship with a boyfriend to a brother. A brother would be loving and caring but would not be as intimate as the boyfriend would be. If we didnt have symbols, we wouldnt be able to dif ferentiate how to act with those two.The only positivistic side about not having symbols would be the fact that there would be no war since we wouldnt be able to understand who our opposition is let alone knowing what an enemy is. The next perspective is pore on a macro level since it is aimed at the medium-large scale of society. Functionalism was founded by Robert Merton (1910-2003), The accomplishments of functional analysis are sufficient to suggest that its large promise give progressively be fulfilled, just as its flow rate deficiencies testify to the need for periodically overhauling the past to build for the future ( kind opening and Social Structure Page 74). According to the textbook, functionalism means a notional framework in which society is viewed as composed of mixed parts, each with a function that when fulfilled, contributes to societys equilibrium.In other words, various parts work together as a whole to put forward societys balance. Robert Merton defined f unctions as positive consequences based on humans actions that benefit the society. Functions that are intended to help a system are known as manifest function. Followed by this would be the unintended consequence to adjust the system which is known as potential functions. The textbook breaks these two down using an example of fully grown get hitched with couples an extra $10,000 for child bearing (this is the manifest function). Unknowingly, this increases the products used to care for a baby which is known at the possible functions. Though manifest and latent functions are used to balance a system, there are likewise some dysfunctions that can actually break down the system.These consequences are signally unintended and because of that, its referred to as latent dysfunctions. Referring back to the example verbalise in the textbook a latent dysfunction about giving $10,000 to each married couple that bears a child would be the rear in taxes which the couples may not be able to afford since they will be living off of the bonus. Another example that many individuals can relate to is our family. Every family member plays a significant role in their household. Examining the financial state of the family, its the lettuce master that holds the financial issues together. Without the bread winner, the family would struggle and even turn for help towards the government. If the function of the bread winner begins to take a turn for the prohibit, the family weakens and loses their ability to prosper as a whole. This is an important factor on how functions can either make or break society. The smaller units affect the larger units in both negative and positive ways. Last but not least, the next perspective would be conflict theory.ReferencesCooley, Charles H. The Roots of Social Knowledge. American Journal of Sociology 32.1 (1926) 59-79. Print. Merton, Robert K. Social Theory and Social Structure. New York Division of Macmillian Co &, 1968. The Free Press. Web . 14 Nov. 2012. . Coser, Lewis. Chapter IX. The Functions of Social Conflict. Glenoe, IL Free, 1956. 151-57. The Functions of Social Conflict. Web. 18 Nov. 2012. .