Week 3 THEORIES OF SOCIOLOGY

THEORIES OF
SOCIOLOGY
The Structural-Functionalist Theory/functionalism
The theory tries to explain how the relationships among the parts of society are created
and they inter relate(functional and dysfunctional)
The structural-functionalist theory sees society as a complex system whose parts work
together to promote solidarity and stability
It focuses on consensus, social order, structure and function in society
If all does not go well, the parts of society then must adapt to recapture a new order,
stability, and productivity
NEGATIVE CRITIQUE
This theory was challenged by its main critics, notably those who proposed the
social –conflict theory and symbolic internationalism
The theory was challenged for its emphasis on stability and order while
neglecting conflict and changes which so vital in any society.
Critics also claim that the perspective justifies the status quo and complacency o
the part of society's members.
It sees society in very broad terms, neglecting micro-level

Functionalism does not encourage people to take an active
role in changing their social environment, even when such
change may benefit them.
Instead, functionalism sees active social change as

undesirable because the various parts of society will
compensate naturally for any problems that may arise.
The Social Conflict Theory
This theory is also called Marxism; to indicate that the main idea to the theory
derives from the writings of Karl Marx
This theory sees society in a framework of class conflicts and focuses on the
struggle for scarce resources by different groups in a given society
Factors such as race, sex, class, and age are linked to social inequality.
It asks such questions as what pulls society apart. How does society change?
.
The theory holds that the most important aspect of social order
is the domination of some group by others, that actual or
potential conflicts
The theory is useful in explaining how the dominant groups use

their power to exploit the less powerful
groups in society
It centered on alienation; which refers to the condition in which the
individual is isolated and divorced from his or her society, work, or the
sense of self.
Marx defined four specific types of alienation.
 Alienation from the product of one’s labor
 Alienation from the process of one’s labor
 Alienation from others
 Alienation from one’s self

NEGATIVE CRITIQUE
Although this theory gained fame in recent decades, it came
under sharp criticism, for its overemphasis on inequality and
division
It neglected the fact of how shared values and interdependence

generate unity among members of society
It is also criticized for its explicit political goals.
It sees society in very broad terms, neglecting micro-level

Symbolic Interactionism
This theory was advanced by such American sociologists as Charles
Horton Cooley (1864-1929)
This perspective views symbols as the basis of social life.
Symbols are things to which we attach meanings. The theory stresses the
analysis of how our behaviours depend on how we define others and
ourselves.
It concentrates on process, rather than structure, and keeps the individual

actor at the centre.
In short, this theory calls attention to the detailed, person-oriented

processes that take place within the larger units of social life
Other contemporary sociological theories:
Feminism
This theory takes as its central theme the place and facts of women’s
underprivileged status and their exploitation in a patriarchally dominated
society.
Feminist sociology focuses on the particular disadvantages, including

oppression and exploitation faced by women in society
Rational Choice Theory: This theory assumes that individuals will operate in
rational way and will seek to benefit themselves in the life choices they make.
Social Exchange Theory

This theory focuses on “the costs and benefits which people obtain in social
interaction, including money, goods, and status.
It is based on the principle that people always act to maximize benefit But to
receive benefits, there must always be an exchange
Public Choice Theory: This theory states that collective organizations such as
political parties act rationally to maximize their own benefits.
It argues that individual differences are best resolved by collective

involvement within organizations.
Structuralism
This theory denies any basis for humans being active, since human
consciousness is no longer seen as the basis of meaning in language.
This was a systematic movement founded in Germany by Wilhelm

Wundt and mainly identified with Edward B. Titchener.
Structuralism sought to analyze the adult mind (defined as the sum total of

experience from birth to the present) in terms of the simplest definable
components and then to find the way in which these components fit together
in complex forms.
Structuralism differs from the mainstream traditional theories in
that it rejects objective social facts and a concept of society as an
objective, external entity.
Its basic principle is that the observable is meaningful only in so far as

it can be related to an underlying structure or order
The problem with this theory is that they view societies as static and do
not help very much in explaining variation among societies. The theory
treats culture as a given order and fails to explain the adaptive
dimensions of culture
Post-Structuralism and Post-modernism:
Post –structuralism: focuses on the power of language in

constructing knowledge and identity. The writers in this
field have emphasized the role of language in human life,
how language dictates the thoughts we have, and how it
constructs meanings for us.
Post-Structuralism and Post-modernism:
Post-modernism: The basis of post-modernism was post-

structuralism. Post-modernism is defined as a cultural and
aesthetic phenomenon which mainly rejects order and progress,
objective and universal truth; and supports the need for
recognizing and tolerating different forms of reality.
It tends to celebrate chaos and disorder, diversity and

fragmentation in the modern global society rather than wanting to
achieve order. This theory maintains that there is no ultimate
reason in human life and existence
Postmodernists argue, “Power has become decentralized and

fragmented in contemporary societies“
END

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THEORIES OF

It focuses on consensus, social order, structure and function in society

It sees society in very broad terms, neglecting micro-level

Instead, functionalism sees active social change as

The theory is useful in explaining how the dominant groups use

Marx defined four specific types of alienation.

 Alienation from the product of one’s labor

 Alienation from the process of one’s labor

 Alienation from others

 Alienation from one’s self

It neglected the fact of how shared values and interdependence

It is also criticized for its explicit political goals.

It sees society in very broad terms, neglecting micro-level

This perspective views symbols as the basis of social life.

It concentrates on process, rather than structure, and keeps the individual

In short, this theory calls attention to the detailed, person-oriented

Feminist sociology focuses on the particular disadvantages, including

Social Exchange Theory

It argues that individual differences are best resolved by collective

This was a systematic movement founded in Germany by Wilhelm

Structuralism sought to analyze the adult mind (defined as the sum total of

Its basic principle is that the observable is meaningful only in so far as

Post –structuralism: focuses on the power of language in

Post-modernism: The basis of post-modernism was post-

It tends to celebrate chaos and disorder, diversity and

Postmodernists argue, “Power has become decentralized and

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