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Questions and Answers
What is the main goal of a society according to functionalism?
What happens to institutions in a society when it loses stability, according to functionalism?
What is the focus of conflict theory?
What is the result of conflicting viewpoints and beliefs in a society, according to conflict theory?
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What is an example of an institution adapting to change, according to functionalism?
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According to conflict theory, what is the result of the conflict between two opposing sides in a society?
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What is the main idea behind social constructionism?
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Which social theory focuses on how individuals behave and the meanings they give to things?
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What is an example of social constructionism in modern society?
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What is the main difference between symbolic interactionism and the other social theories?
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What is the primary outcome of the conflict between opposing sides in a society according to conflict theory?
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What is the main difference between social constructionism and symbolic interactionism?
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What is the primary focus of functionalism in regards to society?
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What is the result of the agreement among individuals in a society to give something value, according to social constructionism?
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What is the primary way in which individuals create their own society, according to symbolic interactionism?
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What is the primary outcome of the conflict between two opposing sides in a society according to conflict theory?
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According to social constructionism, what gives value to something?
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What is the main focus of symbolic interactionism?
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What is an example of social constructionism in modern society?
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What do the three social theories (functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism) have in common?
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Study Notes
Functionalism
- Examines how a society exists and survives over time
- Aims to achieve equilibrium and stabilize
- Social institutions remain constant, only changing when necessary to maintain stability
- Institutions fulfill the needs of society
- Example: Business institutions adapting to online shopping boom
Conflict Theory
- Focuses on how societies change through conflict
- Conflicting viewpoints and beliefs lead to polarization
- Eventual agreement is necessary to avoid societal upheaval
- Example: 19th century European class struggle between workers and factory owners
- Conflict leads to the creation of a new, synthesized society
Social Constructionism
- Explores what a society is, rather than how it exists or changes
- Everything in society is created by societal agreement
- Value is given to things based on collective agreement
- Example: Money has no inherent value, but is given value by society
- Society is shaped by these agreements and values
Symbolic Interactionism
- Focuses on individuals and their behavior
- Examines the meanings people give to things
- Meanings are based on past experiences and societal influence
- Individuals act based on these meanings, which can change over time
- Example: A tree can have multiple meanings to different people
- We interact with the world to give it meaning, creating our future society
Functionalism
- Examines how a society exists and survives over time
- Aims to achieve equilibrium and stabilize
- Social institutions remain constant, only changing when necessary to maintain stability
- Institutions fulfill the needs of society
- Example: Business institutions adapting to online shopping boom
Conflict Theory
- Focuses on how societies change through conflict
- Conflicting viewpoints and beliefs lead to polarization
- Eventual agreement is necessary to avoid societal upheaval
- Example: 19th century European class struggle between workers and factory owners
- Conflict leads to the creation of a new, synthesized society
Social Constructionism
- Explores what a society is, rather than how it exists or changes
- Everything in society is created by societal agreement
- Value is given to things based on collective agreement
- Example: Money has no inherent value, but is given value by society
- Society is shaped by these agreements and values
Symbolic Interactionism
- Focuses on individuals and their behavior
- Examines the meanings people give to things
- Meanings are based on past experiences and societal influence
- Individuals act based on these meanings, which can change over time
- Example: A tree can have multiple meanings to different people
- We interact with the world to give it meaning, creating our future society
Functionalism
- Examines how a society exists and survives over time
- Aims to achieve equilibrium and stabilize
- Social institutions remain constant, only changing when necessary to maintain stability
- Institutions fulfill the needs of society
- Example: Business institutions adapting to online shopping boom
Conflict Theory
- Focuses on how societies change through conflict
- Conflicting viewpoints and beliefs lead to polarization
- Eventual agreement is necessary to avoid societal upheaval
- Example: 19th century European class struggle between workers and factory owners
- Conflict leads to the creation of a new, synthesized society
Social Constructionism
- Explores what a society is, rather than how it exists or changes
- Everything in society is created by societal agreement
- Value is given to things based on collective agreement
- Example: Money has no inherent value, but is given value by society
- Society is shaped by these agreements and values
Symbolic Interactionism
- Focuses on individuals and their behavior
- Examines the meanings people give to things
- Meanings are based on past experiences and societal influence
- Individuals act based on these meanings, which can change over time
- Example: A tree can have multiple meanings to different people
- We interact with the world to give it meaning, creating our future society
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Description
Learn about the functionalism theory in sociology, which explains how societies exist and survive over time. This theory states that a society is always trying to come to an equilibrium and stabilize.
