SociologyUnit 1Mrs. Gosnell

Perception---how your brain interprets an image or event

Perspective—a point of view o the way you interpret the meaning of an image or event

Your perspective comes from your beliefs and values and it influences how you see things (perception)

Different people see things in different ways

Perspectives of Sociology

Functionalism--society as an integrated whole

Conflict Perspective—looks at class, race, & gender issues

Symbolic Interaction---examines how group members have shared symbols

Parts of society (e.g. family, economy, religion) contributes to the whole

If one part breaks down, the other parts are affected

E.g. Functionalist may blame an increase in teen crime to a breakdown in the family

Conflict, competition, change, & constraint Disagreement between different groups in

society Each want to promote their values &

interests Struggle Those groups with the power control

others E.g. Race & Gender Issues

Focuses on the interaction between people

We learn the meaning of symbols from how we see others reacting to the symbol

We then base our behavior on the signals We use the meaning of symbols to

imagine how others will respond to our behavior

E.g. Burping after a meal is considered rude in the US but in other countries it is a compliment to the cook

In the US, we stand & face the flag during the national anthem

Functionalism Conflict Symbolic Interactionism

A. Societies are in relative balance. ____B. Power is one of the most important

elements in social life.________C. Religion helps hold a society together

morally.____D. Symbols are crucial to social

life.________E. Many elements of society exist to

benefit the powerful.______

F. Different segments of a society compete to achieve their own self-interest rather than cooperate to benefit all ___

G. Social life should be understood from the viewpoint of the individuals involved. __________

H. Social change is constantly occurring. ________

I. Conflict is harmful and disruptive to society. ______

Examine the idea of perspectives by identifying an issue that you look at one way and your parents or other adults look at in a different way. Write about the issue from both sides.

2 paragraphs minimum