Symbolic Interactionism, Functional View and Conflict View, Essay Example

Symbolic interactionism is a theory that states that humans are different from lower animals (infrahumans) owing to the fact that infrahumans merely respond to environmental stimuli while humans have the capability of disrupting this process to their advantage (Berberoglu, 2005). Furthermore, infrahuman lack the ability of conceiving alternative responses to given stimuli. Human beings possess this ability. However, it is important to note that this does not mean human beings never behave in fashion that depicts strict response to given stimuli, but they have the ability of not responding in this fashion.

A salient example would be symbolic meanings that human beings give to relationships. Despite the fact that individuals disagree and fights, the symbolic meanings placed on relationships helps keep the social fabric of society intact.

Conflict View

1. Wright Mills was considered the father of modern conflict theory. He believed that social structures in society are created via the conflict between individuals with conflicting resources and interests. The social structures influence the resources and individuals(Møller, 2003). These individuals are further affected by the uneven distribution of resources and power in the society. He believed that the merger between the executive branch of the government, the Pentagon and the elite formed the power that the elite society of America had. He maintained that the interest of the elite are always opposed to those of the common individual that would lead to the production of the weapons of mass destruction, the escalation of conflict and even the annihilation of humanity. A good example is the existence and formation of the justice system. This important social structure is formed as a result of conflict inn society.

Functional View

The functional view construes every facet of society in terms of its contribution to the stability of the society as whole. This theory is interested in the existence of social order and how society is able to achieve and maintain stability (Berberoglu, 2005). For example state provides education to children within families. The family pays taxes so as to sustain the government and its operations.

References

Berberoglu, B. (2005). An introduction to classical and contemporary social theory : a critical perspective (3rd ed.). Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield.

Møller, B. (2003). Conflict Theory. Aalborg: DIR.