Sociological Theories: Structural Functionalism, And Conflict Theory

Sociological theories are theories that are of use in everyday life. The things we know about our societies and social behaviors today have materialized all thanks to numerous sociology theories. Particular theories have not necessarily been widely accepted, while others are commonly accepted throughout, but all have contributed enormously to the understanding of social behaviors and our societies today. Having a full understanding and learning more about these sociological theories, will help one gain a greater and deeper understanding of the sociology’s past, present, and even the future. While adventuring through the course of Sociological Theory, I have found three concepts that have struck me as interesting. The three sociological theories are risk theory, structural functionalism, and conflict theory. The first theory of interest is that of risk theory. This theory is commonly known amongst Ulrich Beck as well as Anthony Giddens. The idea of risk theory is that everyone is at risk; risk is part of your life (Wimmer, 2006). According to Giddens, risks and dangers associated with risks tend to bring people together; it unifies people (Ritzer & Stepinksy, 2013). Like many other subjects in the social world, risk is stratified. Poor nations and lower class are more likely to experience risks, as well as being more susceptible to
Structural functionalism is part of the sociological schools of thought who’s origin originates with Emile Durkheim. Structural functionalism focuses on how elements of society need to work together to have a fully functioning whole (Hoult, 1963). When something is functional, it has the potential to help something else stay wholesome, where dysfunctional does not. When one part of a system is not functioning, or dysfunctional, all other parts of the system are affected which in turn creates social problems and leads to social change (Ritzer & Stepinksy,