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Questions and Answers
What is a theoretical perspective in sociology?
What is a theoretical perspective in sociology?
What is the main focus of social conflict theory?
What is the main focus of social conflict theory?
What is the goal of feminist theory?
What is the goal of feminist theory?
What is the 'sociological imagination'?
What is the 'sociological imagination'?
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Who coined the term 'sociological imagination'?
Who coined the term 'sociological imagination'?
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What is the primary criticism of structural functionalism according to the text?
What is the primary criticism of structural functionalism according to the text?
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What concept does C. Wright Mills associate with his approach to sociology?
What concept does C. Wright Mills associate with his approach to sociology?
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What was a major consequence if people stopped agreeing on common goals in Durkheim's theory?
What was a major consequence if people stopped agreeing on common goals in Durkheim's theory?
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What was a limitation of Emile Durkheim's theory of society?
What was a limitation of Emile Durkheim's theory of society?
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What problem did C. Wright Mills identify with many sociologists?
What problem did C. Wright Mills identify with many sociologists?
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Study Notes
Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology
- Theories are essential in social sciences as they help identify trends and themes in human behavior and decision-making.
- There are four major sociological perspective theories: symbolic interactionism, social conflict, structural-functional, and feminist theories.
- Symbolic interactionism explores how people interpret symbols and their meanings within communities.
- Social conflict theory explains social inequality and conflicts between societal groups.
- Structural-functional theory examines how social institutions work together to maintain social order.
- Feminist theory focuses on social inequality between men and women, striving for equality between the sexes.
Sociological Imagination
- C. Wright Mills coined the term "sociological imagination" to describe the relationship between individual troubles and societal issues.
- Applying sociological imagination involves navigating the link between personal problems and broader social issues.
- Mills argued that many sociologists fail to exercise sociological imagination, instead getting bogged down in theoretical and empirical studies.
Structural Functionalism
- Structural functionalism emerged in the 19th century, emphasizing that society is composed of building blocks working towards a common goal.
- Emile Durkheim, a French philosopher, developed this theory, arguing that social bonds are crucial for societal cohesion.
- The theory assumes that as long as most people agree on common goals, society will function well, but disagreements can lead to disintegration.
- However, structural functionalism has been criticized for being too far removed from actual society, assuming homogeneous groups with the same motivations.
- The theory also assumes a zero-sum game, where winners and losers emerge, neglecting the existence of diverse starting points and motivations.
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Description
Learn about the importance of theoretical perspectives in sociology, including the four major sociological theories that explain human behavior within societies, communities, and individuals.
