The Major Social

Science
Theories
 STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALISM
Structural Functionalism is a framework
for building theory that sees society as a
complex system whose parts work
together to promote solidarity and
stability.
STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALISM
Economy, religion, politics,
education, and family are
considered groups as a major
institution.
 STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALISM
ü Society is seen as an integrated whole, where
all parts are interconnected.
ü Every structure in society works together to play
a vital function to maintain stability and the
well-being of its members.
 STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALISM
ü This theory focuses on the roles people perform and
the idea that behavior follows established norms,
which helps to maintain social order.
ü It can help to think of it this way: functionalists
compare society to the human body; each part of
society serves a function, just like our organs do.
 STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALISM
According to functionalism, society is a system
of interconnected parts that work together in
harmony to maintain a state of balance and
social equilibrium for the whole.
 STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALISM
Functionalist use the terms functional and
dysfunctional to describe the effects of social
elements on society.
STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALISM
It is functional if they contribute to
social stability and dysfunctional if
they disrupt social stability.
 STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALISM
Robert Merton identified two types of
functions, the Manifest Function and
Latent Function.
 Manifest Functions
 Are consequences that are
intended and commonly recognized.
 Latent Functions
 Are consequences that are
unintended and often hidden. .
 For example, the manifest function of
education is to transmit knowledge and skills
to society’s youth. But public elementary
schools serve as babysitters for employed
parents, and colleges offer a place for young
adults to meet potential mates.
The babysitting and mate-selection
functions are not intended or
commonly recognized functions of
education; hence they are latent
functions.
 5 Situations Facing an Actor/Merton
Strain Theory of Deviance
 1. Conformity – occurs when an
individual has the means and desire to
achieve the cultural goals socialized
into them.
 5 Situations Facing an Actor/Merton
Strain Theory of Deviance
 2. Innovation– occurs when an
individual strives to attain the
accepted cultural goals but chooses
to do so in a novel or unaccepted
method.
 5 Situations Facing an Actor/Merton
Strain Theory of Deviance
 3. Ritualism – occurs when an
individual continue to do things as
prescribed by society but forfeits the
achievement of the goals.
 5 Situations Facing an Actor/Merton
Strain Theory of Deviance
 4. Retreatism– is the rejection of
both the means and the goals of
society.
 5 Situations Facing an Actor/Merton
Strain Theory Deviance
 5. Rebellion– is a combination of
the rejection of societal goals and
means and a substitution of other
goals and means.
 FUNCTIONALISM
Functionalist sociologists like Parsons and
Durkheim have been concerned with the
search for functions that institutions may have
in society.
 FUNCTIONALISM
An example of a function which helps maintain
society is that of the
family, its function is to ensure the continuity
of society by reproducing and
socializing new members.
 Concepts of Structural - Functionalism According
CONCEPTS DESCRIPTION

Collective Ø Functionalists believe that without collective conscience/ shared

Conscience and values and beliefs, achieving social order is impossible and social
Value Consensus order is crucial for the well-being of society
Ø They believe that value consensus forms the basic integrating
principle in society. And if members of society have shared values,
they therefore also have similar identities, this helps cooperation
and avoids conflict
Ø Value consensus also ensures that people have shared: Goals, Roles
and Norms. Norms can be escribed as specific guidelines of
appropriate behavior; for example, queuing when buying thing
 Concepts of Structural - Functionalism According
CONCEPTS DESCRIPTION

Social ØFunctionalists believe that there are

Order four main basic needs that an individual
requires in order to exist in society
ØThey also believe that these four basic
needs are essential for maintaining
social order. They are food, shelter,
money and cloth
 Concepts of Structural - Functionalism According
CONCEPTS DESCRIPTION

Functionalism ØDurkheim believes that education

and transmits society’s norms and
Education values. Education brings together a
mass and changes them into a
united whole which leads to social
solidarity
 Concepts of Structural - Functionalism According
CONCEPTS DESCRIPTION

Functionalism ØParsons (1961) believes that

and education leads to universalistic
Education values and that education performs
a link between family and the wider
society which in turn leads to
secondary socialization.
 Concepts of Structural - Functionalism According
CONCEPTS DESCRIPTION

Functionalism ØEducation also allows people to

and train for their future roles in society.
Education Schools instill the value of
achievement and the value of
equality of opportunity.
ØEducation helps match people with
jobs suited to them
 Concepts of Structural - Functionalism According
CONCEPTS DESCRIPTION

Functionalism ØGeorge Peter Murdock believes

and that the family provides four vital
Family functions for society: sexual,
reproductive, economic, and
educational.
 Concepts of Structural - Functionalism According
CONCEPTS DESCRIPTION

Functionalism ØThe family is the primary point of

and socialization in that it provides
Family children with values and norms.
Family also stabilizes adult
personalities
 Concepts of Structural - Functionalism According
CONCEPTS DESCRIPTION

Functionalism ØA family unit provides emotional

and security for each person in the
Family relationship.
 Concepts of Structural - Functionalism According
CONCEPTS DESCRIPTION

Functionalism ØThe media operate in the public interest

and by reflecting the interests of the
Media audience. It portrays public opinion
ØThe media understands that society has
a wide diversity of culture and this is
shown by the different amounts of
stories it covers
 Concepts of Structural - Functionalism According
CONCEPTS DESCRIPTION

Functionalism ØDurkheim shows us that there is such a

and thing as society, and that it is this entity
Crime and called society that creates crime and
Deviance deviance
ØCrime and deviance are socially
constructed –they are not natural,
obvious, or theologically inspired
categories.
 Concepts of Structural - Functionalism According
CONCEPTS DESCRIPTION

Functionalism ØThey are concepts that were brought

and into the world solely by humankind.
Crime and ØMoreover, Durkheim goes beyond this
Deviance and shows us how socially constructed
definitions of crime and deviance are
linked into a wider social structure.
 Karl Marx (1818-1883) wrote the Communist
Manifesto (1848) that shows the basic struggle
between classes and recommends action
against the “specter” of capitalism Capital
(1867). It shows how the capitalist system is
exploitative in that it “transfers the fruit of the
work of the majority”.
Friedrich Engels (1820-1895)
 was a German social scientist, author,
political theorist, philosopher, and father of
Marxist theory, together with Karl Marx.
He wrote Das Kapital.
 He organized Marx’s notes on the “Theories
of Surplus Value”
Marx and Engels examined the
conflict generated by the increasing
wealth of the capitalists (Bourgeoisie)
at the expense of the working class
(Proletariat) who only sunk deeper into
poverty.
Historical Materialism is a
methodology used that focuses on
human societies and their
development through history, arguing
that history is the result of material
conditions rather than ideals.
Dialectical Materialism is philosophy of
science and nature developed in Europe
and based on writings of Marx and Engels.
Marxists dialectics emphasizes the
importance of real-world conditions in
terms of class, labor, and socioeconomic
interactions.
 According to Quexbook, 2018, Marxism is a
social, political, and economic philosophy
named after Karl Marx, which examines the
effect of capitalism on labor, productivity, and
economic development and argues for a
worker revolution to overturn capitalism in
favor of communism
 Marxism posits that the struggle between
social classes, specifically between the
bourgeoisie, or capitalists, and the
proletariat, or workers, define economic
relations in a capitalist economy and will
inevitably lead to revolutionary communis
CONCEPTS OF MARXISM
Ø Marxism believes that capitalism can only
thrive on the exploitation of the working
class.
Ø Marxism believes that there was a real
contradiction between human nature and
the way that we must work in a capitalist
society
CONCEPTS OF MARXISM
Ø Marxism has a dialectic approach to life
in that everything has two sides
Ø Marxism believes that capitalism is not
only an economic system but is also a
political system.
Ø The profit difference between what
goods are sold for and what they actually
cost to make; Marxism refers to
CONCEPTS OF MARXISM
Ø Marxism believes that economic conflict
produces class (rich, middle and poor)
and inherently class produces conflict
Ø Marxists believe that deviance is any
behavior that differs from the societal
norm. It is seen as deviant because as a
society, we do not accept it.
CONCEPTS OF MARXISM
Ø Deviance can vary from simply odd behavior
to behavior that can harm society or is
considered dangerous or disrespectful.
Ø Neo-Marxism is based on ideas initially
projected by Karl Marx. Marx believed that
economic power led to political power and
that this is the key to understanding societies
CONCEPTS OF MARXISM
Ø Deviance can vary from simply odd behavior
to behavior that can harm society or is
considered dangerous or disrespectful.
Ø Neo-Marxism is based on ideas initially
projected by Karl Marx. Marx believed that
economic power led to political power and
that this is the key to understanding societies
 Two Types of People According to Karl
Marx according to Quexbook
Ø Proletariat is consisting of the working or
labor class
Ø Bourgeoisie is consisting of the management
class; those who own the means of
production
 The Three Sources of Income

Ø 1. Owners of simple labor power or laborers

whose main source of income is labor
Ø Owners of capital or capitalists whose main
source of income is profit or surplus value
Ø Landowners whose main source of income is
ground rent.
 The Three Levels of Culture Model
according to Quexbook, 2018
Ø 1. Infrastructure - population, basic biological need, and
resources (labor, equipment, technology, etc.)
Ø 2. Structure - pattern of organization (government,
education, production regulation, etc.).
Ø 3. Superstructure - social institutions (law, religion,
politics, art, science, superstition, values, emotions,
traditions, etc.).
SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM
Ø Symbolic Interactionism is a social
psychological theory developed from the work
of Charles Horton Cooley and George Herbert
Mead in the early part of the twentieth
century (the actual name of the theory comes
from Herbert Blumer, one of Mead’s students).
According to this theory, people inhabit a
world that is in large part socially constructed.
Examples of Symbolic Interactionism in Everyday Life

Ø The way you perceive the world is

unique. Based on your interactions
with words, ideas, and events,
different objects, or words, can have
different meanings to you
Examples of Symbolic Interactionism in Everyday Life

Ø When looking at a complex theory, it’s always

best to start simply. Some symbols are easy to
recognize and hold concrete meanings within
societies. While some can be subjective, a
few symbols you recognize through your
interactions with them are:
Examples of Symbolic Interactionism in Everyday Life

Ø 1. An image of a stick figure with a dress

means woman.
Ø 2. An image of a stick figure without a dress
means man.
Ø 3. A drawing of a heart means love.
Ø 4. A bald eagle means freedom and America.
5. A stick figure sitting in a chair with a large
wheel means handicapped.
Examples of Symbolic Interactionism in Everyday Life

Ø 6. Putting your thumb up means yes.

Ø 7. Putting your thumb down means no.
Ø 8. Skull and crossbones mean danger.
Ø 9. A balance symbolizes justice.
Ø 10. The lone t shape symbolizes a cross,
spirituality, or religion.
Ø 11. Water holds the meaning of rebirth, vitality,
or cleansing
Examples in Society

Ø Societies are full of symbolic interactionism. And

your interactions are different based on the society
in which you live. Additionally, many symbolic
interactionism examples seen throughout society
can be subjective, based on your experiences with
that particular symbol. Check out a few different
society examples of symbolic interactionism.
Examples in Society

Philippine Flag
Ø A horizontal flag bicolor with equal bands of royal
blue and crimson red, with a white, equilateral
triangle at the hoist. In the center of the triangle is
a golden-yellow sun with eight primary rays, each
representing a province of the Philippines
Examples in Society

Philippine Flag
Ø At each vertex of the triangle is a five-pointed,
golden-yellow star, each of which representing one
of the country's three main island groups— Luzon,
Visayas (though originally referring to Panay) and
Mindanao. The white triangle at the flag represents
liberty, equality, and fraternity
Examples in Society

Philippine Flag
Ø A unique feature of this flag is its usage to indicate
a state of war if it is displayed with the red side on
top, which is effectively achieved by flipping the
Examples in Society

GENDER
Ø Gender can be understood through symbolic
interactionism because gender is a sociological
construct.
Ø For example, for the symbols attached to “males”
and “females”, actions and looks are based on
what is believed is true from your interactions
rather than what is objectively true.
Examples in Society

GENDER
Ø For example, women might be seen as weaker than
men. A man wearing a dress might be seen as
feminine. These problematic attributes lead to
inequality and biases such as women getting paid
less than men in the workforce.
Examples in Society

COLORISM
Ø Race and ethnicity is another area where symbolic
interactionism comes into play. This can definitely
be seen through the issue of colorism.
Ø In colorism, people of the same racial identification
are treated differently based on the lightness or
darkness of their skin.
Examples in Society

COLORISM
Ø For example, a study by Lance Hannon on colorism
demonstrated lighter-skinned Latinos "looked"
smarter according to Caucasians.
Examples in Society

Relationship Roles

Ø Symbolic interactionism plays a big role in family

and relationships. Your understanding of a word or
event changes based on interactions with it.
Examples in Society

Relationship Roles

Ø For example, if you have a great relationship with

your wife, the word wife will be positive. However, if
your relationship with your wife is rocky, the
meaning behind the word and what a wife
symbolizes changes
Examples in Society

Rainbow

Ø Societies’ meanings behind symbols can change

and morph with time. One example of this is the
meaning of a rainbow. The rainbow has been seen
as a Christian symbol of hope but another meaning
of rainbow is now associated with the LGBTQ
community
SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM

Ø According to Quex book, 2018, The symbolic

interaction perspective, also called symbolic
interactionism, is a major framework of the
sociological theory
SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM

Ø This perspective relies on the symbolic

meaning that people develop and build upon
in the process of social interaction. Although
symbolic interactionism traces its origins to
Max Weber's assertion that individuals act
according to their interpretation of the
meaning of their world
SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM

Ø A social psychological theory developed from the

work of Charles Horton Cooley and George
Herbert Mead in the early part of the twentieth
century (the actual name of the theory comes from
Herbert Blumer, one of Mead’s student
Ø According to this theory, people inhabit a world
that is in large part socially construct
CONCEPTS OF SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM

Ø The most important conceptual building block on

which symbolic interactionists have based their
analysis of human conduct is the concept of the
symbol, or, as Mead called it, the significant symbol
CONCEPTS OF SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM

Ø Symbol is a vocal or other kind of gesture that has

the same meaning and solicits the same reaction
between the one using it and to whom it is
directed
CONCEPTS OF SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM

Ø Conventional Signs anything associated with some

other thing or event, but it is produced and
controlled by the very organisms that have learned
to respond to it
CONCEPTS OF SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM

Ø Natural Signs are those that show appropriateness

with its use, that is, the sign is in its literal form
Ø Object is anything to which attention can be paid
and towards which action can be directed.
Ø Tangible anything that can be seen by the naked
eye and can be touched (physical).
CONCEPTS OF SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM

Ø Intangible not having a physical appearance;

cannot be touched or seen by the naked eye
(social)
Ø An act starts with an impulse, which occurs when
people’s existing adjustment or line of activity is
disturbed
CONCEPTS OF SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM

Ø In perception, people begin to name or designate

objects. Thus, gives direction to an act.
Ø In the manipulation stage, people take concrete
steps to reach our goal
Ø Finally, the act ends with consummation when
people’s original adjustment or line of activity is
resto
Three Basic Premises by Herbert Blumer
(1969)
Ø 1. “humans act toward things based on the
meanings they ascribe to those things.” includes
everything that is human being may note in their
world, including physical objects, actions, and
concepts. Essentially individuals behave towards
objects and others based on the personal
meanings that the individuals have already given
these items.
Three Basic Premises by Herbert Blumer
(1969)
Ø 2. “The meaning of such things is derived from, or
arise out of, the social interaction that one has
with others and society.” arise out of, the social
interaction that one has with other humans.
Three Basic Premises by Herbert Blumer
(1969)
Ø 3. These meanings are handled in, and modified
through, an interpretative process used by the
person in dealing with the things he/she
encounters.” We naturally talk to ourselves to sort
out the meaning of a difficult situation.
 Principles of Structural – Functionalism (Trueman, 2015)
Social Science Theory Principles
Symbolic
Interactionism
ØThe intertwined patterns
of action and interaction
(Blumer, 1969;
Manis and make up groups and
Meltzer, 1978; A.
Rose, 1962; Snow,
society
2001)
 Principles of Structural – Functionalism (Trueman, 2015)
Social Science Theory Principles
Structural - ØSocieties should be examined holistically in
Functionalism an interrelated system framework.
ØCausation is reciprocal and, in many
instances, multiple
ØSocial systems are generally in a state of
equilibrium.
 Principles of Structural – Functionalism (Trueman, 2015)
Social Science Theory Principles
Structural - ØThe functionalists are less interested in the
Functionalism history of a society, but more concerned
with social interaction
ØThe functionalists attempt to find the
interrelationships between the compounds
of social
 Principles of Structural – Functionalism (Trueman, 2015)
Social Science Theory Principles
Marxism ØBoth Hegel and Marx have dealt with a
basic question – How is man to be
reconciled with him and with the world?
Hegel was of opinion that mind of man
passes through history and finally comes to
realize what is the world
 Principles of Structural – Functionalism (Trueman, 2015)
Social Science Theory Principles
Marxism ØBoth Hegel and Marx thought that man
was the product of self-knowledge and he
goes on reconciling with the world. But to
Hegel the concept of self- knowledge is
associated with Spirit or Absolute Id
 Principles of Structural – Functionalism (Trueman, 2015)
Social Science Theory Principles
Marxism ØMarx has rejected it and has laid down the
famous doctrine of alienation. That is, he
tries to understand himself or the world
around him through the alienation.
 Principles of Structural – Functionalism (Trueman, 2015)
Social Science Theory Principles
Marxism ØThe theory of alienation is the product of
the alienated labor. In fact, alienation
occupies a very important place in Marx’s
theory.
 Principles of Structural – Functionalism (Trueman, 2015)
Social Science Theory Principles
Marxism ØIn capitalist economy there is a division of
labor which means that a labor produces
a single or small part of an article. The
capitalist system has introduced this
division of labor to have better results
 Principles of Structural – Functionalism (Trueman, 2015)
Social Science Theory Principles
Marxism ØBut its harmful consequence is with the
passing away of time man is gradually
alienated from the whole production
system and finally the society.
ØThe general meaning of alienation is that
it is the “subjugation of man by his own
work, which has assumed the guise of
independent things”.
 Principles of Structural – Functionalism (Trueman, 2015)
Social Science Theory Principles
Marxism ØThe entire economic process including
production and distribution is beyond the
control of workers. They work just like
machine
ØIn the opinion of Marx, since alienation is
the greatest evil of capitalist system the
workers must be freed from this evil
 Principles of Structural – Functionalism (Trueman, 2015)
Social Science Theory Principles
Marxism ØBut he has warned us by saying that there is
no scope of freeing individuals from the
curse of alienation because it is an integral
part of the capitalist system.
ØIf we go through Marx’s analysis, we shall
find that the only way of freeing man from
alienation is the establishment of
communism or communist society
 Principles of Structural – Functionalism (Trueman, 2015)
Social Science Theory Principles
Symbolic ØHuman beings, unlike lower animals, are
Interactionism endowed with the capacity for thought.
ØThe capacity for thought is shaped by social
(Blumer, 1969; interaction
Manis and ØIn social interaction, people learn the
Meltzer, 1978; A. meanings and the symbols that allow them
Rose, 1962; Snow, to exercise their distinctively human
2001) capacity for thought
 Principles of Structural – Functionalism (Trueman, 2015)
Social Science Theory Principles
Symbolic ØMeanings and symbols allow people to
Interactionism carry on distinctively human action and
interaction.
(Blumer, 1969; ØPeople are able to modify or alter the
Manis and meanings and symbols that they use in
Meltzer, 1978; A. action and interaction on the basis of their
Rose, 1962; Snow, interpretation of the situation
2001)
 Principles of Structural – Functionalism (Trueman, 2015)
Social Science Theory Principles
Symbolic ØPeople are able to make these
Interactionism modifications and alterations because, in
part, of their ability to interact with
(Blumer, 1969; themselves, which allows them to examine
Manis and possible courses of action, assess their
Meltzer, 1978; A. relative advantages and disadvantages, and
Rose, 1962; Snow, then choose one
2001)
 Principles of Structural – Functionalism (Trueman, 2015)
Social Science Theory Principles
Symbolic ØThe intertwined patterns of action and
Interactionism interaction make up groups and society

(Blumer, 1969;
Manis and
Meltzer, 1978; A.
Rose, 1962; Snow,
2001)
Draw a community comprised of different institutions,
then answer the following questions with at least two (2)
sentences. Use a separate bond paper for this act

1. How did you find the activity?

2. How did you feel while doing the activity?
3. How did you structure your community?
4. What did you prioritize in your choice of institution
5. How did the structures function in the society
6. Have you heard of the Structural Functionalism Theory?
What have you learned about it
Poster Making

Make a poster with the theme “Marxism in Today’s Society”

and explain your work.