I'm having trouble understanding the definition of conflict theory, symbolic interactionist, and functionalism

Question

please explain in a easy way.

Answer 1

I sent you a bunch of links on your other post.  They explain the concepts really well.  Anyways, here is the down and dirty: (I'm giving you a few definitions for each in case the wording of one is unclear for you)

Conflict Theory

-A sociological approach that assumes that social behavior is best understood in terms of conflict or tension between competing groups.

-The sociological approach that views groups in society as engaged in a continuous power struggle for control of scarce resources.

- A social theory that emphasizes the role of power, authority, coercion, and manipulation in maintaining social order.

-A theoretical approach, such as Marxism, focusing on the notion that society is based on an unequal distribution of advantage and is characterised by a conflict of interests between the advantaged and the disadvantaged.

Symbolic Interactionism

-A theoretical approach in sociology which focuses on social reality as constructed through the daily interaction of individuals and places strong emphasis on the role of symbols (gestures, signs, and language) as core elements of this interaction.

-A theoretical approach which focuses on the role of symbols and language in human interaction.

Functionalism

-A sociological approach that emphasizes the way that parts of a society are structured to maintain its stability.

-The sociological approach that views society as a stable, orderly system.

-A theoretical perspective that focuses on the way various parts of the social system contribute to the continuity of society as well as the affect the various parts have on one another.

-A theoretical perspective, associated with Durkheim and Parsons, based on an analogy between social systems and organic systems. It claims that the character of a society's various institutions must be understood in terms of the function each performs in enabling the smooth running of society as a whole.

Good luck!