Functionalism Conflict Theory Essay

Knowledge is shaped by the hearty world. (Karl Mannheim.) Though trying to reckon the social world whitethorn seem difficult, sociologists managed to create three theories on how different aras of the world fit with one an some other as well as working pass in hand with distributively other. The three theories be cognize as Symbolic Interactionism, Functionalism and Conflict Theory. each(prenominal) theory serves as a significant aspect on how individuals view social life and how it effectuate society as a whole.The first perspective would invite to be the simplest of all and is categorized as a micro level since it is focused on smaller scale than the remaining perspectives. Symbolic Interactionism was founded by Charles Horton Cooley (1864-1929), William I. Thomas (1863-1947) and George Herbert Mead (18-63-1931). harmonize to the textbook, symbolic interactionism means a theoretical perspective in which society is viewed as composed of symbols that people use to establi sh meaning, develop their views of the world and communicate with one a nonher. In other words, it means symbols have an attached meaning that effect the way we view the world and communicate with individuals.Examples of symbols are family members, relationships, language, co-workers, etc. If there were no symbols in our life, we wouldnt know who we are related to or who to throw authority to. For congressman, at your job you are required to respect the person of high authority which may be your manager or your boss, (depending on your symbol at your facility). In your family, the symbols would be your mother, father, brother, sister, aunts, uncles, etc. No matter what area, each symbol has a different behavior and interacts differently unlike the rest. To narrow this down, lets compare the relationship with a boyfriend to a brother. A brother would be lovely and caring but would not be as intimate as the boyfriend would be. If we didnt have symbols, we wouldnt be able to differe ntiate how to act with those two.The only positive side nigh not having symbols would be the fact that there would be no war since we wouldnt be able to understand who our enemy is let alone knowing what an enemy is. The next perspective is focused on a macro level since it is aimed at the large scale of society. Functionalism was founded by Robert Merton (1910-2003), The accomplishments of functional analysis are satisfactory to suggest that its large promise will progressively be fulfilled, just as its current deficiencies shew to the need for periodically overhauling the past to build for the future (Social Theory and Social Structure Page 74). According to the textbook, functionalism means a theoretical framework in which society is viewed as composed of various parts, each with a function that when fulfilled, contributes to societys equilibrium.In other words, various parts work together as a whole to maintain societys balance. Robert Merton defined functions as positive co nsequences ground on humans actions that benefit the society. Functions that are intended to assistance a system are known as manifest function. Followed by this would be the unintended consequence to adjust the system which is known as latent functions. The textbook breaks these two down using an example of giving married couples an spare $10,000 for child bearing (this is the manifest function). Unknowingly, this increases the products used to care for a baby which is known at the latent functions. Though manifest and latent functions are used to balance a system, there are overly some dysfunctions that can actually break down the system.These consequences are unusually unintended and because of that, its referred to as latent dysfunctions. Referring back to the example stated in the textbook a latent dysfunction about giving $10,000 to each married couple that bears a child would be the rise in taxes which the couples may not be able to afford since they will be living off of the bonus. Another example that many individuals can relate to is our family. Every family member plays a significant role in their household. Examining the fiscal state of the family, its the bread winner that holds the financial issues together. Without the bread winner, the family would struggle and even turn for help towards the government. If the function of the bread winner begins to take a turn for the negative, the family weakens and loses their ability to prosper as a whole. This is an important factor on how functions can either make or break society. The smaller units mint the larger units in both negative and positive ways. Last but not least, the next perspective would be conflict theory.ReferencesCooley, Charles H. The Roots of Social Knowledge. American Journal of Sociology 32.1 (1926) 59-79. Print. Merton, Robert K. Social Theory and Social Structure. young York Division of Macmillian Co &, 1968. The Free Press. Web. 14 Nov. 2012. . Coser, Lewis. Chapter IX. The F unctions of Social Conflict. Glenoe, IL Free, 1956. 151-57. The Functions of Social Conflict. Web. 18 Nov. 2012. .