Sociologist and Social Change
As with any factors involving society, sociologist developed various theories and perspectives to describe and give reason to the changes taking place. The four main theories are the functionalism perspective, the conflict perspective, and the symbolic interactionism perspective. Below these perspectives are stated and given an example.
Functionalism and Social Change
The functionalist perspective on social change involves the concept of “equilibrium” which states that “a society reacts to changes by making small adjustments to keep itself in a state of functioning and balance”. For example, when disasters such as hurricanes or tornados strike a town and destroy homes, leaving people homeless and jobless, and maybe even dead, the town is devastated but the population works together to restore the town and people to their normal lives.
Conflict Perspective and Social Change
The conflict perspective on social change associates the changes taking place as results of struggles among society. Conflict theorists believe that conflicts arising between groups over different interests, religious beliefs, racial discrimination, or gender bias are eventually resolved, leading to social change. For example, in America the fight for equal opportunity for minorities lead to a law being passed against racial discrimination within the work place.
Symbolic Interactionism and Social Change
The symbolic interactionism theory states that human beings interact with one another on the basis of shared symbols. The nature of a society is the result of how frequently humans interact and develop “shared meaning”; the less people interact, the weaker their ties become, which leads to change. For example, society changed from an agricultural to an industrial society due to the meaning of economic wealth shifting from an economy that was agriculturally sound, to one that was advanced technologically.
As with any factors involving society, sociologist developed various theories and perspectives to describe and give reason to the changes taking place. The four main theories are the functionalism perspective, the conflict perspective, and the symbolic interactionism perspective. Below these perspectives are stated and given an example.
Functionalism and Social Change
The functionalist perspective on social change involves the concept of “equilibrium” which states that “a society reacts to changes by making small adjustments to keep itself in a state of functioning and balance”. For example, when disasters such as hurricanes or tornados strike a town and destroy homes, leaving people homeless and jobless, and maybe even dead, the town is devastated but the population works together to restore the town and people to their normal lives.
Conflict Perspective and Social Change
The conflict perspective on social change associates the changes taking place as results of struggles among society. Conflict theorists believe that conflicts arising between groups over different interests, religious beliefs, racial discrimination, or gender bias are eventually resolved, leading to social change. For example, in America the fight for equal opportunity for minorities lead to a law being passed against racial discrimination within the work place.
Symbolic Interactionism and Social Change
The symbolic interactionism theory states that human beings interact with one another on the basis of shared symbols. The nature of a society is the result of how frequently humans interact and develop “shared meaning”; the less people interact, the weaker their ties become, which leads to change. For example, society changed from an agricultural to an industrial society due to the meaning of economic wealth shifting from an economy that was agriculturally sound, to one that was advanced technologically.