Comparing and Contrasting the Functionalist Perspective with That of the Conflict Theory

Topics: Sociology, Structural functionalism, Conflict theory Pages: 1 (306 words) Published: February 22, 2010
Comparing and contrasting the functionalist perspective with that of the conflict theory Marxist and functionalism are similar in that they see that the way society is structured as an important part in determining the way people have relationships and behave between themselves. This is known as structural perspective. Both functionalists and Marxists believe that people are portrayed as creature within the social system. The view of both conflict perspective and functionalist perspective as it refers to the family. The family is universal because it full fills the following essential functions for society Sexual – controls sexuality, provides stability for adults Reproductive – provides new members of society.

Economic – family provides for its members.
Educational – family socialises the young into societies norms and values. While Parsons (1902-79) says “there are two basic irreducible functions of the family” and these are: The stabilisation of adult personalities – the family gives adults the emotional support necessary to cope with the stresses of everyday life. The view of both conflict perspective and functionalist perspective as it relates to education and economy The view of both conflict perspective and functionalist perspective as it related to religion Marxists and functionalists view religion as a very important force in society but for very different reasons. Functionalism sees religion as a source of social unity and cohesion whereas Marxists analysis identifies religion as a social control mechanism not serving the interests of the whole of society but just that of the ruling class. When functionalist stated that religion has a purpose Marxist argued that religion hides the real basis of power and exploitation. And that it alienates people from their true selves yet it’s the means by which they can by way of delusion escape from suffering and oppression. Reference...
Continue Reading

Please join StudyMode to read the full document

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Functionalist and Conflict Perspectives in the U.S. Essay

    ...The Functionalist Perspective sees society as a system. Regarding the technology gap facing the poor and minorities, a functionalist perspective would cover this issue based on the society's consensus due to their core beliefs and values. If there would be a technology gap with the poor and minorities, there would have to be a reason for the gap to be occurring. There can be a positive and negative side to the technology gap with the poor and minorities, such as; it is a downfall due to them not being able to learn new things, and experience the world of technology. On the other hand, the positive is that it creates a building block for our government to get technology available for both poor and minorities. The conflict perspective draws much of its inspiration from Karl Marx and argues that the structure of society and the nature of social relationships are the result of past and ongoing conflicts. This perspective is basically saying that the technology gap with poor and minorities in the United States is based on these two certain groups. This issue is also focused on conflicts in our society, such as; the war in Iraq, poverty, and even our government. Symbolic interactionists' perspective argued that society is likely because we, as human beings have the ability to communicate with one another by means of symbols...

    Read More
    339 Words 2 Pages
  • Compare and Contrast the Main Tenet of the Functionalist and Conflict Perspectives. Research Paper

    ...Topic: The conflict perspective views society less as a cohesive system and more as an arena of conflict and power struggles. Compare and contrast the main tenet of the Functionalist and Conflict Perspectives. Over the years, sociologist has put forward their views when it came to defining, studding and understanding society. Society can be defined as a group or unit of people living in a geographical area, sharing a similar background and/or culture. In sociological term, a society is any group of people living together in a group, comprising a single community and whose members are interdependent. To sociologists who are involved in the systematic study of society, “the important aspect of defining society is its group structure/framework.” Karl Marx did not see society as being a harmonious and well integrated system as Emile Durkheim did, but he instead saw it as an arena of conflict and competing interests. Conflict may be defined as “an open clash between two opposing groups/individuals.” Perspective refers to a specific view that an individual has on a situation or topic. Emile Durkheim was the founding father of the Functionalist Perspective. He saw society as a balance system made up of interrelated and interdependent parts. Karl Marx however looked at human social life from a completely different...

    Read More
    891 Words 4 Pages
  • Functionalist Perspective Essay

    ... My favorite perspective in sociology was learning about the functionalist perspective aka functionalism. I do know that it is one of the major concept theories and perspectives in sociology. From class we learned about Emile Durkheim’s interest in this theory on how social order is possible on how society remains relatively stable through functionalism. “Functionalism does interpret every part of society on how it all contributes to the stability and the survival of society”. I guess the reason why I liked the study of functionalism is for the same reason why I like to be a functional person, I love for there to be order and I believe that everybody plays a role in that sense, either they know they are playing that part unknowingly or they do know and they are part of the order. I cannot stand for dysfunctional people especially when it can have a negative impact on a group or society. For example some of the TV shows out there like the Simpsons, family guy, two and a half men show our children how to grow up in such a family with the understanding that such a manner that being dysfunctional is normal but it’s not. Dysfunctional families carry it on to their kids and people they are around, this can be a direct result of their parents and may also be affected by addictions, such as substance abuse like drugs and alcohol. I have seen this all my life and it just kills me to be around it,...

    Read More
    865 Words 3 Pages
  • Functionalist theory Research Paper

    ...Erika Schafer Assignment 1 Due 9/14/14 Structural Functionalism The functionalist theory focuses on society as a system of interrelated institutions and structures that are designed to address human needs. They view society as functioning best when there is agreement about the social values and norms. The functionalist theory asserts that our lives are guided by social structures, which are relatively stable patterns of social behavior in each society. Each social structure has social functions for the operation of society as a whole. Functionalists see social structure of society as more fundamental than the individuals themselves. Functionalism sees society as a skeleton; a set of interconnected parts which together structure an entirety. Structural Functionalism is considered to be the "framework for building theories". According to "the Real World" The origins of structural functionalism can be traced back to the roots of sociology. The functionalist theory is the oldest, and still most dominant, theory in sociology. Thomas Hobbes, a seventeen-century philosopher, viewed humans as "self interested beings who were in constant danger of 'the war of each against all'". Many pre-twentieth-century social thinkers were in conflict with the "Hobbesian" problem of social order. The problem of social order became principal in the minds...

    Read More
    857 Words 3 Pages
  • Functionalist, Conflict, and Interaction Perspectives on Mass Media Essay

    ... Functionalist, Conflict, and Interaction Perspectives on Mass Media Sammie Sims SOC101: Introduction to Sociology Instructor: Michael Emmart 09/22/2014 It is hard to imagine that just one theoretical view can make clear the many ways that individuals relate with media and technology. Technology covers a wide range from simplistic to complicate. Media is everywhere we look and on every gadget we own. This paper will take a look at mass media from the functionalist, conflict, and interaction perspectives. You can look at a variety of theories and you will find studies and scholars that agree and those who disagree. A sociological approach in functionalism is the reflection of the relationship among the functions of less significant parts and the functions of the total. From the functionalist perspective there has been a problem from the start. The problem is the failure to identify and come up with a definition for the actual function of mass media. Also it has been problematic to define what role the mass media plays in various cultures and sub cultures (Mendelshon, H. (1974). From the start a functionalist breakdown comes with a profound handicap. According to the functionalist perspective the media is a marketing product and entertaining, it is...

    Read More
    2108 Words 7 Pages
  • Conflict, functionalist, feminiist perspective view on prostitution Essay

    ...In sociology, conflict theory states that the society or organization functions so that each individual participant and its groups struggle to maximize their benefits, which inevitably contributes to social change such as changes in politics and revolutions. Prostitution is a way for an individual to maximize their monetary intake (benefit) by selling the thing that have readily, their bodies. Because this power that individuals have, the government had to come in and outlaw prostitution. The Conflict Perspective • The conflict perspective highlights the relationship between power in society and sex work. The laws that make prostitution illegal are created by powerful dominant group members who seek to maintain cultural dominance by criminalizing sexual conduct that they consider immoral or in bad taste. • Conflict theorists argue that women become prostitutes because of structural factors such as economic inequality and patriarchy. Capitalism and patriarchy foster economic inequality between men and women and force women to view their bodies as commodities. • Conflict theorists suggest that criminalizing prostitution uniquely affects poor women, especially poor women of color, who are overrepresented among street prostitutes. The Functionalist Perspective • The functionalist perspective...

    Read More
    744 Words 3 Pages
  • Unemployment from a functionalist and conflict perspective Essay

    ...the functional and conflict theory perspective, as well how four main institutions (family, education, government and health) are affected by unemployment. It will also look at Karl Marx and Emile Durkheim and their contribution to sociology and the theory of functionalism and conflict. Unemployment affects almost everyone to some degree during their lives, the need to understand how we can deal with the issue is becoming critically important to society as a whole. Functionalist Theory Function is an unclear term, often used by orthodox sociologists to define the logical and social place of roles, institutions and structures in terms of the production and reproductionof a society as a social system - as in the idea that the function of the family is to socialise new members of society (Bessant & Watts, 1999). Functionalists believe everything serves a specific function in our society and these functions need to be understood. Everyone has a role to fill in this functional society, in other words we need to have stratification so as everyone has a purpose. Functionalists are very boundaried and thin within the square. For this theory to really work, there needs to be a consensus amongst the individuals that make up society, they need to believe everything is in the best interest of this so called utopia. There is obviously no...

    Read More
    2212 Words 9 Pages
  • Essay on conflict perspectives

    ... Conflict Research Perspectives - Israel Israel and Palestine have been in a land war for years fighting over entitlement that neither really have. Both Palestine and Israel believe that the land that they both occupy belongs to them and will not stop until one side surrenders the rights to the land. The argument is over the Gaza Strip, Hamas, and the West Bank. Many different people with different religious beliefs once occupied Palestine who had at one time been occupied by Turkey. Over the years a large Jewish population had fled to Palestine and a group formed called the Zionist. This group believed that they had the right to the land because based on Biblical texts it was the Holy Land and only those who were descendants of the biblical Jewish faith should have rights to the land. “The Jewish claim Palestine is actually the site of the ancient land of Israel, which was, according to the Hebrew Bible promised to the Jewish by God.” (Ebscohostconnection) During World War I a letter was drafted stating that the British would support a Jewish national home. “During World War I, in 1916, it convinced Arab leaders to revolt against the Ottoman Empire (which was allied with Germany). In return, the British government would support the establishment of an independent Arab state in the region, including Palestine.” (Shah, 2006) After World War I Turkey lost control of the Palestine and the British now controlled it. The...

    Read More
    675 Words 2 Pages

Popular Essays

Become a StudyMode Member

Sign Up - It's Free