Sociological Theories Free Essays

Chapter one there are three different types of sociological theories. The three types are functionalist theory, conflict theory, and symbolic theory. We will cover and talk about the differences. We will write a custom essay sample on Sociological Theories or any similar topic only for you Order Now First is the functionalist theory. The functionalist theory is when the people who live in the area are all part of a bigger plan. Everyone there is an equal no one has more than anyone else. When I think about functionalist I think of farm. As in like the whole community works on the farm like someone feed and mike cows and someone male food the cows eat so and and so forth. August Comte and Herbert Spencer viewed society as a kind of living organism. When all the people are working together is called normal and when there not it’s abnormal The conflict theory provides a third perspective on social life. Unlike the functionalists, who view society as harmonious whole, with its parts working together, conflict theorists talk about society being composed of groups that are competing with one another for scarce resources. Karl Marx is the founder of this theory. This is like slavery to me because slaves worked for a higher power for very little are no pay at all. Soon people get mad and rise up to the greater power and demand a change. The last one is symbolic theory witch is when people develop and share their views of the world, and focus on micro level. This is like used when people back in the day didn’t read and right. The easy way to talk to people is with pictures. They are easy to understand than writing. There are many differences between these things. For one they were all made up in different area of times, and locations in the world. All the theories are made but by different people, and they had their way of thinking of it. They all apply for different part of life, but very close. One thing they do haven common is that they all related to groups of people. Is takes a group of people to make it work. All these theories have happened in some part of the world. Not only have they happen they still happen in today society. Finally in collection there is nothing new under the sun, and the same things they are talking about there are happing now. And all these theories can be facts. How to cite Sociological Theories, Essay examples Sociological Theories Free Essays Sociological Theories A sociological theory is a set of ideas that provides an explanation for human society. Theories are selective in terms of their priorities and perspectives and the data they define as significant. As a result they provide a particular and partial view of reality. We will write a custom essay sample on Sociological Theories or any similar topic only for you Order Now Sociological theories can be grouped together according to a variety of criteria. The most important of these is the distinction between Structural and Social action theories. Structural, or macro perspectives analyses the way society as a whole fits together. Structural theory sees society as a system of relationships that creates the structure of the society in which we live. It is this structure that determines our lives and characters. Structured sets of social relationships are the ‘reality’ that lie below the appearance of ‘the free individual’ of western individualism. Structuralism focuses on the particular set of ‘structural laws’ that apply in any one society. Despite their differences, both functionalism and Marxism use a model of how society as a whole works. Many functionalists base their model of society around the assumption of basic needs and go to explain how different parts of society help to meet those needs. Marxists, on the other hand, see society as resting upon an economic base or infrastructure, with a superstructure above it. They see society as divided into social classes which have the potential to be in conflict with each other. However, the main differences between functionalist and Marxist perspectives then, is the way they characterize the social structure. Functionalists stress the extent to which the different elements of the social structure fit together harmoniously. Marxists stress the lack of fit between the different parts, particularly social classes, and so emphasize the potential for social conflict. Not all sociological perspectives base their analysis upon an examination of the structure of society as a whole. Rather than seeing human behaviour as being largely determined by society, they see society as being the product of human activity. They stress the meaningfulness of human behaviour, denying that it is primarily determined by the structure of society. These approaches are known as social action theory, interpretive sociology or micro sociology. Max Weber was the first sociologist to advocate a social action approach. Symbolic interactionists try to explain human behaviour and human society by examining the ways in which people interpret the actions of others, develop a self-concept or self-image, and act in terms of meanings. Ethnomethodology moves even further from a structural approach by denying the existence of a social structure as such. They see the social world as consisting of the definitions and categorizations of members of society. The job of the sociologist, in their view, is to interpret, describe and understand the subjective reality. Marxism is an economic and socio-political worldview and method of socioeconomic inquiry that centers upon a materialist interpretation of history, a dialectical view of social change, and a critique of capitalism. Marxism was pioneered in the early to mid-19th century by two German philosophers, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. Marxism encompasses Marxian economic theory, a sociological theory and a revolutionary view of social change that has greatly influenced socialist political movements worldwide. Courtesy of Lee Bryant, Director of Sixth Form, Anglo-European School, Ingatestone, Essex 3 Related Pages Theories in Sociology Key beliefs of functionalism Feminism Social Action Theory The Labelling Theory Michel Foucault Women and Crime Why do people commit crime? Crime and Globalisation Feminism and Crime How to cite Sociological Theories, Essay examples Sociological Theories Free Essays This theory has caught the attention of the nation, and the federal government has taken steps to roved assistance in lower income and poverty stricken areas. One of the main programs that have been implemented into these lower income areas are Yam’s. The goal behind the YMCA is to bring sports, and other activities into the lower income areas and keep juveniles busy within the YMCA and keeping these kids off the streets and out of trouble. We will write a custom essay sample on Sociological Theories or any similar topic only for you Order Now The second theory is the Social Process Theory. The Social Process Theory is based upon the belief that colonization is key in determining ones behavior. If colonization is absent or portrayed in a negative manner, it can cause venires to act out in feel alienated from normal social behaviors. Children who feel isolated from their peers and do not have a loving environment at home are more likely to be involved in delinquent behavior. These children often turn to drugs or alcohol as an answer. An example of both state and federal funded program that assists with the Social Process Theory is the D. A. R. E Program. The D. A. R. E program is designed to prevent kids from using drugs, engaging in violent and criminal acts and encourages them to engage n normal social behaviors with other kids their age. The third theory is the Social Conflict Theory. The Social Conflict Theory is a belief that our entire society is in a constant state of internal conflict, with various groups trying to impose their belief on others. The Social Conflict Theory suggests that those of wealth and power help define laws to meet their specific needs while ignoring the needs of the rest of society. It is believed that adolescents that do not fit into the needs of the powerful members of society are labeled criminal delinquents. Those that suffer the most from social conflict are people of color or those living in poverty stricken areas. An example of a program that targets the youth suffering from the social conflict program is Promising Practices Network. The Promising Practices Network is a school based violence prevention program that serves over 400 public schools in poverty stricken areas. This program is designed to fight prejudice, stereotypes and other types of violence. As shown here these three sociological theories are vital ways to view the issues related to juvenile delinquency. The programs related to each of these theories are extremely beneficial to lowering crime rates among juveniles. I truly hope that we continue to fund these wonderful programs, as it benefits the future of America. How to cite Sociological Theories, Papers