This page last updated
11/30/06
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THE THREE MAJOR PARADIGMS THEORETICAL PARADIGM - A basic set of assumptions that guide sociological thinking and research. An overall view of their interpretation or basic assumption of how the world works. The paradigms then become an umbrella under which a wide number of theories can fit. It is also common to use the term "perspectives" synonymously with paradigm. PARADIGMS STRUCTURAL-FUNCTIONAL Perspective - is a framework for building theory based on the assumption that society is a complex system of interrelated and interdependent parts work together to promote stability. Social Structure: Relative stable social patterns; Family, Religion, Education, Economics, Government. These are also Cultural Universals - they exist in every known society, but not necessarily manifested in the same way. May be structured differently. Social Functions: Consequences of any social pattern for the operation of society. What would the consequences for the operation of society if there was no institution of family? Other Key Words: Cohesion, Equilibrium, Balance, Social Integration, Cooperation, Collective Conscience, Mechanical/Organic solidarity, etc. Key Theorists: Comte, Durkheim, Spencer, Merton, Parsons, Bales, etc. ROBERT K. MERTON: Some social patterns have obvious functions. Manifest Functions - intended and recognized consequences for the operation of society. I.e., Family & Transportation. Latent Functions - Unintended and unrecognized consequences for the operation of society. Social Dysfunction - undesirable consequences for the operation of society. HERBERT SPENCER - "Survival of the fittest," "Social Darwinism" SOCIAL CONFLICT Perspective - is a framework for building theory based on the assumption that society is characterized by inequality and conflict that generates change. Other Key Words: Division, Communism, Separate, Power, Coercion, Alienation, Competition, etc. Key Theorists: Marx, DuBois, and C. Wright Mills. W. E. B. DuBois - The Philadelphia Negro. 1st person of color (Black) to graduate from Harvard with a Doctorate. REMEMBER - BOTH OF THE ABOVE PARADIGMS ARE MACRO-LEVEL ORIENTED, focusing on broad structures that characterizes society as a whole. SYMBOLIC-INTERACTION- Perspective - is a theoretical framework based on the assumption that society is the product of the everyday interactions of individuals. Society is a mosaic of subjective meanings and responses. Through this process of constructing meaning, we define our identities, rights, and obligations toward others; this in turn defines or describes individual realities. This paradigm or perspective helps to convey more of how individuals actually experience society. Key Theorists: Weber, Mead, Goffman, Sutherland, Homans, Blau, Penton, etc. Focus today: is a synthesis of all three major paradigms. At a recent American Sociological Association (ASA) conference, a survey revealed that 60% of the sociologists espoused one of these paradigms. Neither is necessarily better than the other. It depends on what it is in society that the researcher is focusing on that determines which paradigm is appropriate for the study. Neither is necessarily better than the other, they all have merit. |
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