Functionalism
According to Vincent, 2001, Functionalism, also called structural-
functional theory, sees society as a structure with interrelated
parts designed to meet the biological and social needs of the
individuals in that society.
Functionalist sociologists like Parsons and Durkheim have been
concerned with the search for functions that institutions may have
in society.
However, another functionalist sociologist R. Merton has adopted a
concept of dysfunction – this refers to the effects of any institution
which detracts from the conservation of society.
Marxism
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 posts that the struggle between social classes, specifically
between the bourgeoisie, or capitalists, and the proletariat, or workers,
defines economic relations in a capitalist economy and will inevitably
lead to revolutionary communism.
Concepts of Marxism
Certain concepts are key to an understanding of Marxism, a political
theory that has shaped world politics for over 150 years. Key Marxist
concepts are diametrically the opposite to capitalism, and some
believe have created a mentality of a society that is very much a
‘them and us’ one.
Marxism believes that capitalism can only thrive on the exploitation of
the working class.
Marxism believes that there was a real contradiction between human
nature and the way that we must work in a capitalist society.
Marxism has a dialectic approach to life in that everything has two
sides.
Marxism believes that capitalism is not only an economic system but
is
also a political system.
The profit difference between what goods are sold for and what they
actually cost to make; Marxism refers to as a “surplus profit”.
Marxism believes that economic conflict produces class (rich, middle
and poor) and inherently class produces conflict.
A Marxist analysis called ‘Polarisation of the Classes’ describes the
historical process of the class structure becoming increasingly
polarised – pushed to two ends with noting in the middle. It says that
soon classes will disappear and be absorbed either into the
bourgeoisie or the proletariat.
Capitalism largely shapes the educational system; without the
education system the economy would become a massive failure as
without education we are without jobs and employment which is what
keeps society moving.
Education helps to maintain the bourgeoisie and the proletariat so
that
there can workers producing goods and services and others benefiting
from it.
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.
Deviance can vary from simply odd behavior to behavior that can
harm society or is considered dangerous or disrespectful.
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.
Neo-Marxists believe the economic system creates a wealthy class
of
owners and a poor class of workers. They also believe that certain
social institutions such as churches, prisons and schools have been
created to maintain the division between the powerful and the
powerless
Symbolic Interactionism
According to Quex book, 2018, The symbolic interaction perspective,
also called symbolic interactionism, is a major framework of the
sociological theory.
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
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 construct
Concepts of Symbolic Interactionism
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.
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.
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.
Natural Signs are those that show appropriateness with
its use, that is, the sign is in its literal form
Object is anything to which attention can be paid and towards
which action can be directed.
Tangible anything that can be seen by the naked eye and can be
touched (physical).
Intangible not having a physical appearance; cannot be touched
or seen by the naked eye (social).
An act starts with an impulse, which occurs when people’s
existing
adjustment or line of activity is disturbed.
In perception, people begin to name or
designate objects. Thus, gives direction to an
act.
In the manipulation stage, people take concrete
steps to reach our goal.
Finally, the act ends with consummation when
people’s original adjustment or line of activity
is restored.
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?
