Conflict Theorists and Functional Theorists: Society Analysis

This report delves into three prominent sociological perspectives: conflict theory, functional theory, and symbolic interactionism. Conflict theory, as proposed by Karl Marx, emphasizes the inherent conflicts arising from power imbalances and competition, leading to social inequality and the suppression of certain groups. Functional theory, developed by scholars like Emile Durkheim, views society as an interconnected system striving for equilibrium, where social elements are either functional or dysfunctional. Symbolic interactionism, rooted in the work of George Herbert Mead, focuses on micro-level interactions and how individuals develop their self-concept through social interactions and interpretations of others' views. The report references key literature to support each theoretical perspective, providing a comprehensive overview of these fundamental sociological concepts and their applications in understanding societal phenomena.

How do Conflict Theorists
and Functional Theorists
and Symbolic
Interactionist
explain the phenomena

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Topic :"How do Conflict Theorists and Functional Theorists and Symbolic Interactionists
explain the phenomena"...................................................................................................................1
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................2

Topic :"How do Conflict Theorists and Functional Theorists and Symbolic
Interactionists explain the phenomena"
The conflict theory was proposed by the Karl Marx which stated that there will be
everlasting conflicts in the society due to high competition that are available in the
environment(Burrell and Morgan, 2017). As per them, person having power and domination will
maintain social order and all remaining will be suppressed. It has been wildly used for the
describing the social phenomena. It may include social-conflicts, wars, violence, treasure and
poverty. Further, it explains about the fundamental developments of mankind history so that
humans can be controlled rather than social order. It is based on social-inequality due to
resources and concentrate on the conflicts that exist among the social-groups.
Functional theorists was developed by Emile Durkheim, Herbert Spencer,Robert
Merton and Talcott Parsons(Stets and Turner, 2014). They stated that society is integration of
different works, to maintain balance, social-equilibrium, peace and harmony. The social-
interconnectedness among the society can be generated through the changing the perspective of
people or by influencing them. The phenomenon was described by functional and dysfunctional
social-elements of society. If the action is beneficial for society it is functional or else it is
dysfunctional.
The previous theory were based large groups to influence the social-world. Symbolic
Interactionist was developed in 20th century and is based on the sociological perspective and
derived from work of George Herbert Mead. It is based on micro-sociology or at institutional
level. Micro-sociological perspective is shown through it and earlier theorists and philosophers
used it to under the human-behaviours. They mentioned that self-concept in a person is
developed through the self-observation to other and the label they provide to us. It is same as
statement made by Cooley "Looking glass self" (Lawler, 2015).
1

REFERENCES
Burrell, G., & Morgan, G. (2017). Sociological paradigms and organisational analysis: Elements
of the sociology of corporate life. Routledge.
Stets, J. E., & Turner, J. H. (Eds.). (2014). Handbook of the Sociology of Emotions (Vol. 2).
Springer.
Lawler, S. (2015). Identity: sociological perspectives. John Wiley & Sons.
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