Émile Durkheim (Structural Functionalism)
Durkheim believed that everything in society was somehow related/connected so that society can function correctly. Every part of society relied on each other in order to continue functioning correctly. He believed that each person’s institutions played a role in their decisions that they would make in society.
Max Weber (Symbolic theory)
Weber describes symbolic interactionism as a micro-level theory that focuses on the relationship among individuals within a society. Weber’s focus was the meaning behind a individuals actions and interactions with society.
Karl Marx (Conflict theory)
Karl Marx’s conflict theory is the belief that society is a competition. Marx believed there is a limited amount of resources and that based on social structures such as class people were competing for. He believed that these groups in society didn’t work together and actually wanted to take resources from one another. He believed that the High class was trying to keep the lower class down. Marx believed based on class it would decide where you stand in society.
