1) What theoretical perspective views society as having a system of interdependent inherently connected parts? Explain the response and compare and contrast your selection to the other perspectives. a) Sociobiology b) Functionalism c) Conflict theory d) Ethnocentrism.
The theoretical perspective that views society as having a system of interdependent inherently connected parts is known as functionalism. Developed from the writings of French sociologist Émile Durkheim. He believed that society is a bunch of connected structures that work together as whole to support each other.The main difference between functionalism and conflict theory is that functionalism states that each aspect of a society serves a function and are necessary for the survival of that society while the conflict theory states that a society is in perpetual class conflict due to the limitation and the unequal distribution of resources. It also clashes with ethnocentrism. Ethnocentrism is the act of judging another culture and believing that the values and standards of one’s own culture are superior and a negative attitude toward other ethnic/cultural groups. Sociobiology is the study which is based on the assumption that social behavior has resulted from evolution and attempts to explain and examine social behavior within that context.
3. The Occupy Wall Street movement of 2011 grew to be an international movement. Supporters believe that the economic disparity between the highest economic class and the mid to lower economic classes is growing at an exponentially alarming rate. A sociologist who studies that movement by examining the interactions between members at Occupy camps would most likely use what theoretical approach? a) Symbolic interactionism b) Functionalism c) Conflict theory d) Ethnocentrism. Explain the response and compare and contrast your selection to the other perspectives.
This is an example of conflict theory. Suggested by Karl Marx this theory believes that instead of working together like functionalism, groups in society compete with each other. That society was divided between two classes who ideas clashed with one an others in pursuit of their own respective interests. He believed the Capitalist system was built to suppress lower class workers. This theory is more classed based, focused on the wealthy and poor where ethnocentrism focuses on race and ethnicity. Symbolic interactionism emphasizes linguistic or gestural communication and its subjective meaning within a culture.
Jessica Perez
The theoretical perspective that views society as having a system of interdependent inherently connected parts is functionalism. Functionalists view society as a system in which all parts work or function together to create society as a whole.Societies also need culture to exist. Cultural norms function to support the fluid operation of society, and cultural values guide people in making choices.For example The government, or state, provides education for the children of the family, which in turn pays taxes on which the state depends to keep itself running. That is, the family is dependent upon the school to help children grow up to have good jobs so that they can raise and support their own families.The children pay taxes and that helps support the state.
itzamary.quiroz@stu.bmcc.cuny.edu
4. The “American Dream”—the notion that anybody can be successful and rich if they work hard enough—is most commonly associated with which sociological theory?
When it comes to the American Dream I believe that it’s a conflict theory . Due to the fact that when you come to the united states with the believe that if you work hard enough you’ll become rich and successful , it won’t always be like that. If that was the case more minorities would be rich and successful. The conflict theory is the believe that the rich like to stay rich and want the lower class to stay poor because they get rich off of their hard work. The American Dream can’t be sociobiology because not everyone in the American society believes this. It can’t be functionalism because this is a way of thinking not something that is needed to make our society work. It can’t be ethnocentrism because it doesn’t consist of one nation being better than any other nation.
2. The sociologist that conducts the research into the ways that hispanic American students are historically underprivileged in the United States education system is conflict theory because if the students do get good education like the rest do then they’ll be able to make more money. Which will then be a conflict theory because the rich people don’t want minorities to get rich like them since they won’t be able to benefit from them.