As such, these theories guide the sociologist when examining sociological phenomena rather than providing absolute answers. Similarly, not all sociological phenomena can be explained through class conflict over resources. While each theory has merit, they also have broad application issues such as symbolic-interaction theory’s focus on individuals which overlooks vital group dynamics. Functionalism grew out of the writings of English philosopher and biologist, Hebert Spencer (18201903), who saw similarities between society and the. This theory looks strictly at micro level forces mainly pertaining to the individual. In essence, this treatment of the Davis-Moore theory as a positive exemplar is achieved by trichotomizing sociology into three of its better-known paradigmsstructural-function alism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionismand granting the Davis-Moore thesis superordinate status only within functional theory. Structural-functional theory, also called functionalism, sees society as a structure with interrelated parts designed to meet the biological and social needs of the individuals in that society. Symbolic-Interaction theory posits that everyday interactions and individual experiences with other people and groups create the motivations for behavior and the manner in which society is constructed. Conflict theory explains social behavior in terms of macro level concepts but it can be viewed at a micro level also when looking at behavior. This class conflict also inspires people to act in certain ways towards one another such as stratifying groups in order to maintain control of resources. For example, a lack of resources such as oil creates class differences due to the fact that the class that controls the oil will control more wealth. In contrast to structural functionalism, conflict theory explains society in terms of economic factors such as scarcity of resources. social class maintains a division of labor that is needed to make society operate properly. Within this framework, one can explain concepts such as social class in terms of their function i.e. Society operates in an orderly and stable manner at a macro level. Structural functionalism is a concept founded in the idea that society attempts to create stability and order. Each of these theories explains social interaction from a different viewpoints and despite almost contradictory differences in explanation, each theory provides a logical assumption for the manner for the underlying motivations that causes society's functions either at the macro, micro, or both levels. The major theoretical perspectives in sociology include Structural Functionalism, Conflict Theory, and Symbolic Interaction Theory.
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