Imagine society as a tug-of-war game, where different groups are pulling on a rope, trying to gain more control and resources. Go to top Overview of Conflict Theory What is Conflict Theory? It’s about seeing beyond the surface, understanding the ‘why’ behind the ‘what,’ and appreciating the complex interplay of forces that shape our world. Others say it doesn’t pay enough attention to who holds power in society and how that affects the rules we’re all expected to follow.īy understanding structural-functionalism, you’re not just learning about a theory you’re gaining a new lens to view society. Some people argue that structural-functionalism focuses too much on the positives and forgets about the real harm that deviant behavior can cause. It’s not always about being rebellious sometimes, it’s about trying to succeed when the odds are stacked against you. Here, the ‘race’ is society’s goals, and the ‘shortcut’ is deviant behavior. So, some might decide to take a shortcut through the grass. Everyone is told to run towards success, but not everyone has good shoes (or any shoes!). He said people are like runners in a race. Robert Merton, a big name in this theory, suggested something interesting with his strain theory. For example, imagine if no one ever challenged unfair laws – we’d never improve! Merton’s Strain Theory: A Closer Look You might wonder, how can breaking rules be good for society? Well, according to structural-functionalism, when someone does something different, it’s like the machine is getting a signal that something might need fixing. In this view, even the unexpected or unusual behaviors, the deviance, have a role to play. It’s like looking at the world through blueprints, seeing how everything fits together. This is the basic idea behind structural-functionalism. Every part, from the laws we follow to the jobs we do, works together to keep things running smoothly. Go to top Structural-Functionalism What is Structural-Functionalism? Labeling Theory: Ever been called something like ‘the smart kid’ or ‘the troublemaker’? This theory focuses on how those labels can affect us and even lead us to act in certain ways.It suggests that we learn to be deviant through the people we hang out with and the meanings we give to things. Symbolic Interactionism: This one is all about the small interactions we have every day.Deviance happens when there’s inequality and people are fighting for more power or resources. Different groups have different amounts of power and resources. Conflict Theory: Here, society is seen as a competition.It can actually help by showing what needs to change in society. Deviance, then, is like a cog that’s not fitting right. Structural-Functionalism: This theory is like looking at society as a machine. ![]() Each pair lets you see the world in a unique way. Think of these theories as different pairs of glasses. To really get why people do things that are considered ‘weird’ or ‘wrong,’ sociologists have come up with some theories. When we understand deviance, we understand more about ourselves and the world around us. It helps us understand why people act the way they do and how society decides what’s ‘normal’ and what’s not. Studying deviance is like being a detective.
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