Functionalist Perspective

Words: 570
Pages: 3
Open Document
The functionalist perspective also known as functionalism or structural functionalism, focuses on how social order is possible and society remains stable. This perspective is characterized by how each part of society is interdependent and contributes to society as a whole. It’s a social consensus in which members share a common set of values, beliefs, and behavioral expectations (Kendall, 2013). When all the parts work well it creates social order and stability. When one part of the system does not work, all other parts are affected and the system no longer works leading to social change. We can compare this perspective to the body. We have various organs that work together in order for the body to function as a whole. Thus, every function …show more content…
The symbolic interactionist perspective emphasizes its focus on smaller groups; micro-level. Symbolic perspective puts people above all. It brings attention to every day-to-day interaction of individuals; furthermore, it is the communication of two people. Anything that represents something becomes a symbol. Thus, symbolic interaction occurs when people communicate through these symbols. However, interpretations may vary from one group to another. We often assume that our reality is shared by other which is not always the case. When people have different meanings of those symbols, problems can …show more content…
Functionalist would argue that homelessness is an interdependent part with fixed roles needed so that social order can occur and remain stable. Thus, homelessness is a necessary evil in order for society to function. Through this perspective, it is believed that the homeless can survive even if they were to live in inadequate conditions. It is an unavoidable function of society, which also creates the need for more jobs. Through the conflict perspective, homelessness can be viewed as a direct impact of income differences. Due to difficult times of our economy this could be true. As we recall, the conflict perspective analyzes things at a macrolevel so instead of analyzing this at the individual it becomes a larger issue of society. This would allow for homelessness to be viewed as a serious problem caused by the differentiation of job opportunities. Symbolic interactionist would analyze the culture and communication of homeless individuals. Through this perspective homelessness is not blamed on others. These individuals would make sense of their situation as it is a self-oriented approach; a process of constructing, deconstructing, and reconstructing yourself. Individuals reflect on the actions and choices they have taken in the process of becoming
Show More

Related Documents: Functionalist Perspective

Functionalist Perspective Of Facebook

world(Denise Baptise. (2013). Facebook Facts You Ought To Know. Retrieved from http://www.boldsky.com). According to my perspective Facebook can be viewed in functionalist perspective, conflict perspective, Interactions perspective and feminist perspective. Though it can be viewed in many different ways, according to the present trend these perspectives are vital. Functionalist perspective can be defined as a system of interconnected parts that work together in harmony to maintain a state of balance and…

Words 563 - Pages 3

Functionalist Perspective: Athletic Sports, Marriage, And Medicine

A functionalist perspective is a theoretical perspective based off on social events that can be explained in the terms of functions in which they perform and contribute to society, but the primary assumption underlying in a functionalist perspective in a society is that it is stable, well-integrated, and a regulated system that is endured by people’s basics needs. However, from a functionalist perspective, a cultural trait will be persistent if it performs functions that a society may need for social…

Words 526 - Pages 3

Three Perspectives: Functionalist, Conflict, Symbolic Interaction

3 Perspectives Assignment Using the 3 Perspectives (Functionalist, Conflict, Symbolic Interaction), discuss what each "type" of theorist would find interesting in the topic of "American patriotism." This video may exhibit one aspect of this issue: www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/politics/2012/06/27/orig-jtb-red-chair-lee-greenwood.cnn.html (CONFIRM THAT THIS IS THE TOPIC TO WRITE ON) The details of the story are not important—do not spend much time summarizing the issue. Concern yourself with…

Words 1574 - Pages 7

Sociological Analysis of the Presidential Election of 2012 from a Structural Functionalist Perspective and a Conflict Perspective. Essay examples

Sociological Analysis of the Presidential Election of 2012 from a Structural Functionalist Perspective and a Conflict Perspective. As the presidential election draws closer, we could vividly view our society from social conflict and structural functionalist perspectives. The democratic process helps us to ask why do we accept and embrace democracy, how does it influence our social patterns and functions; and how does democracy really work for the stability of our society. In this essay, I will analyze…

Words 1182 - Pages 5

Structural Functionalist Approach In Sociology

The essential similarities between critical perspective and the symbolic functionalist perspectives of sociology are the macro-level sociological view they use. Through this macro-level view, sociologists are able to focus on wide scale societal interactions. While critical sociology believes that the idea of health and medicine relies on the hierarchy of society and the inequalities result from that, both structural functionalists and critical perspectives speculate that there is a type of cooperative…

Words 655 - Pages 3

Three Major Theoretical Perspectives

There are three major theoretical perspectives that are used to analyze social problems. These theories were developed by sociologists because they wanted to determine how society is organized. These major theories are functionalist perspective, conflict perspective and interaction perspective. Although these sociologist had different theories in how society is organized, they show strong information and explanations to back up their theories. A huge social problem in society is unemployment, and…

Words 647 - Pages 3

Essay SOC 101

SOC101-Intro to Sociology March 2013 1. Part A. Describe the sociological concept of deviance. Briefly explain each of the approaches to explaining deviance (functionalist perspective, interactionist perspective, conflict perspective), telling which is most convincing to you and why. Provide examples from your own experience as appropriate. 2. Part B. Analyzing your own life; discuss your status in terms of ascribed status, achieved status, and master status. For each of these statuses, discuss…

Words 1207 - Pages 5

Unit 5 Assignment: Sociology

Discuss how marriage and family are viewed from the three sociological perspectives (functionalists, conflict theorists, and symbolic interactionists). • Functionalists- believes that family units contribute to the well-being of society by fulfilling basic societal needs like 1. economic productions, 2. socialization of children 3. care of sick and aged 4. recreation. 5. Sexual control 6. Reproduction. Functionalist perspective about the role of incest taboo plays a vital role to • Conflict theorists…

Words 159 - Pages 1

Sociological Interpretation Of Labor Unions

social settings and the remote, impersonal social world. Sociologists apply this imagination through a variety of perspectives, but the main applicable viewpoints to this issue are the functionalist, interactionist, and conflict perspectives. The functionalist perspective tends to focus on the macro side of the sociologic interpretation. In examining any aspect of society, functionalists emphasize the contribution it makes to overall social stability. They view society as stable and well-integrated…

Words 1223 - Pages 5

Three Primary Theoretical Perspectives

Sociologists analyze social phenomena at different levels and from different perspectives. Sociologists today employ three primary theoretical perspectives Functionalists, Conflict Theorists and Symbolic Interactionists. From the structural-functionalist point of view, marriage and family are an exceptionally fundamental building block of society. From this point of view, these organizations exist since they are fundamental for a steady society. Marriage and family play out various fundamental capacities…

Words 260 - Pages 2