Compare And Contrast The Three Sociological Perspectives

The second sociological perspective is functionalism and it just like conflict has a macro view on issues. When thinking about functionalism break the word up and it will help to give you a clear definition. Each part of the problem with function individually and then they will work together to cooperate. Functionalism like conflict has three questions that need to be answered. “ What parts of society are involved? What functions do the parts play? How are they related to one another/ or how do they impact one another” (Halperin, 2/13/15). If these questions can't be answered then it doesn't fall under the perspective of functionalism.

Interactionist perspective in sociology, also known as symbolic interactionism, is "a theoretical framework that sees society as the product of individuals interacting with one another" (Macionis 13). In other words, daily interactions among people define their behavior. This theory also posits that the interactions involve symbols, gestures, facial expressions, and movements that can help us make generalizations about a larger society. Unlike other sociological perspectives, interactionist perspective looks at micro-sociology, focusing on smaller groups and activities. Based on understanding of micro activities, interactionist perspective

Symbolic interactionism helps explain both of our individual personalities and the ways the human society is linked together (p.27). It also helps us differentiate social order and change through a process. The teachings of symbolic interactionism comes mostly from George Herbert Mead But,George was not the only one that influenced the thoughts and ideas of symbolic interactionism. Symbolic interaction is theoretical perspective so it is still changing and evolving. It also has four kinds of understandings in the population and environment. One of the understandings is that symbolic interactionism is to understand why people engage or do not engage in social growth of the population . Symbolic Interactionism assumes that people from different social backgrounds, and different cultures may see different social issues within their social community. George Mead,Charles Cooley and Herbert Blumer shaped symbolic interactionism on the predictions of yourself causing you to behave a certain way so it becomes true.

In addition too, Symbolic Interactionism perspectives, there is Functionalism Perspective. The idea of the Functionalist perspective leads back to Emile Durkheim, a French sociologist whose writings form the core of the functionalist theory (McClelland, 2000). Functionalism is what happens when social structures have positive effects on the constancy of society. It is the frame work for building theory that sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote harmony and stability. There are also three assumptions behind functionalism theory, Stability, Harmony, and Evolutions. Those who use social structure theory focus on studying the nature and the consequences of social structures. It also focuses on a relatively state pattern of social behavior. This gives our lives shape in

Sociological imagination is a concept that was defined in 1959 by American sociologist C. Wright Mills. He described it as an awareness of the relationship between a person’s behavior and experience and the wider culture that shaped the person’s choice and perceptions. It helps us relate our own experiences to others. Sociological imagination can help us understand the difference between personal troubles and public issues by determining if it is a problem in someone’s own history or if it is an issue in the society or culture’s history.

Sociological imagination is the ability to understand how internal and external factors affect an individual in all aspects of society. According to Mills, an individual with sociological imagination can understand and learn from his own experiences, which is imperative for personal growth. It is important that people are able to relate their daily lives to the local, national, and global societal

Introduction to the Sociological Imagination The concept of the sociological imagination according to CW Mills is the capacity to understand and see that society and history plays a large part in the choices and experiences in our life. It is the ability to perceive the connections to the world around us and know that it influences who we are as an individual. Using the sociological imagination will allow someone the capacity to step outside of themselves and view life from a new perspective. Mills states that the individual can understand his experiences by locating himself within his period which will allow him to discern his chances in life and being aware of the individuals surrounding his circumstances (Conley, 2017, p 4).

The sociological imagination is the “quality of mind” (Mills, 1959: 4) that enables individuals to look outside their private sphere of consciousness and identify the structures and institutions in society that influence or cause their personal experiences. In this way, by looking at the bigger picture, they can understand their place in society and explain their circumstance in terms of societal influence.

Sociology is a study of social behavior and human groups, mainly focuses on social relationships; such as, how it influences people's behavior, society, and how the relationship either develops or changes. Sociology helps explain what sociological imagination it. Therefore, in explanation C. Wright Mills is a sociologist and he described sociological imagination as an awareness of an relationship between an individual and society, for both today and in the past (Mills [1959] 2000a). Sociological Imagination lets people see links between immediate, personal social settings and remote, impersonal social world that surrounds and helps shape who we are. In addition, sociological imagination is basically looking at things in a different perspective;

The sociological imagination is the capacity to shift from one perspective to another: from the political to the psychological; from examination of a single family to comparative assessment of the national budgets of the world; from the theological school to the military establishment; from considerations of an oil industry to studies of contemporary poetry.[1]

The sociological imagination is an idea or a way of thinking that interlocks an individual in a society with the society as a whole. Most people refer to sociology as the study of how people or individuals interact with each other. In order to fully understand sociology and the concept of the sociological imagination as proposed by C. Wright Mills, one has to be able to envision the individual and the society working together to better understand the role each plays in the social order. C. Wright Mills states that "Sociology must make a connection between the individual and the social. It must allow the individual to see the larger context in which his or her life is lived, and in

In the social science of Sociology, the study of social behavior, it is important to remain unbiased and objective. The main method sociologist use to remain unbiased is sociological imagination. Using this method, sociologists are mindful of their connection to society. The fundamental focus of sociological imagination is to be objective they perceive and analyze the group or society as a foreigner. According to Schaefer (2016), “sociological imagination allows us to go beyond personal experiences and observations to understand broader public issues” (p. 5). By allowing oneself to view very personal issues, like anxiety or divorce, and apply them to the whole society and observe the effects, one can get a better understanding of society and

Social conflict also focuses on macro-sociology. Symbolic interaction paradigm says society functions well through interactions. Communication is spreaded through symbols created by society. Social interaction is important, because it causes social change. Many variables such as behavior events are explained through social contact with others. The people are the ones who determine what is reality, and what is not reality. Life works in a dramatization point of view. Symbolic interaction paradigm focuses on the small issues that affect communities in society, therefore making it a micro-level orientation. Functionalist paradigm sees society as a well integrated, self-regulating system that meets people’s needs. While Social conflict views society having many groups that are self reliant, with their own goals and needs. Symbolic interaction explains society is shaped, and constructed through interaction, and communication with others.

The sociological imagination is a creative way to examine relationships between individuals and society. C. Wright Mills argues that to really understand relationships, we have to approach society from the outside. The sociological imagination is important to our understanding of society because it allows you to look beyond normal topics to parts we usually don't examine.

Throughout the semester, we have learned about a variety of things that have changed the way I perceive people and the world around me that I never did before. One thing we learned about is sociological perspective. This is a perspective on humans and society as a whole. It means looking at society and how it is affected by humans, then looking at humans to see how the different changes in society have affected us. Before our Soc 101 class, I thought stuff just happened. The way perceive things and act as humans is because of the way society has socialized us. The three main sociological perspectives are the functionalist perspective, conflict perspective, and symbolic interactionism. The functionalist perspective claims that all parts of society