Sociological Theories - Unit 1, Lesson 3

Questions and Answers

What are manifest functions?

Unrecognized and unintended consequences

Consequences that undermine social stability

Social exchanges between individuals

Recognized and intended consequences (correct)

What is dysfunction in a social context?

A consequence of a social practice or behavior pattern that undermines the stability of a social system.

Define social interactions.

An exchange between two or more individuals that is a building block of society.

What is sociological imagination?

The ability to think away from everyday routines and view them from a new perspective. Signup and view all the answers

Which theorists were major contributors to the functionalist perspective?

Herbert Spencer Signup and view all the answers

Conflict theory views society as a peaceful unit.

False Signup and view all the answers

What are latent functions?

Those that are neither recognized nor intended. Signup and view all the answers

What does social structure refer to?

The distinctive, stable arrangement of institutions in a society. Signup and view all the answers

What is the sociological perspective?

A perspective on human behavior and its connection to society as a whole. Signup and view all the answers

Define social conflict.

The struggle for agency or power in society. Signup and view all the answers

What is a theoretical perspective?

A set of assumptions about reality that inform research questions and answers. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Sociological Concepts and Theories

Manifest Functions: Recognized and intended consequences of social patterns. Essential for analyzing a social institution's contributions to societal continuity.
Dysfunction: Consequences of practices or behaviors that undermine social system stability, impacting societal cohesion.
Social Interactions: Exchanges among individuals acting as foundational elements of society, leading to the development of rules, institutions, and systems.
Sociological Imagination: Introduced by C. Wright Mills, this concept encourages viewing everyday life from a fresh perspective, enabling a deeper understanding of social structures.

Theoretical Perspectives

Functionalist Perspective: Also known as structural functionalism, views society as a complex system where various parts work together for solidarity and stability. Key figures include Herbert Spencer and Robert Merton.
Conflict Perspective: Focuses on societal power struggles, contrasting the harmony emphasized in functionalism. It posits that society is in constant conflict over limited resources. Founded by Karl Marx.

Functions and Structures

Latent Functions: Consequences that are unrecognized and unintended, offering insights into the deeper impacts of social patterns.
Social Structure: Refers to the organized arrangement of institutions through which individuals interact, closely linked to social change dynamics.
Sociological Perspective: Emphasizes the interplay between individual behaviors and broader societal structures, encouraging exploration of their connections.
Social Conflict: Represents struggles for power within society, occurring when opposing groups interact to achieve incompatible goals and influence outcomes.

Theoretical Frameworks

Theoretical Perspective: A framework of assumptions that shapes research inquiries and interpretations. Sociologists often combine multiple perspectives for comprehensive analysis.

Description

Test your knowledge on sociological theories with these flashcards from Unit 1, Lesson 3. This quiz covers key concepts such as manifest functions and dysfunction in social patterns. Understand how these functions contribute to social structures and their effects on society.