What are the 3 main theories of sociology?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The three main theories of sociology are Structural Functionalism, Conflict Theory, and Symbolic Interactionism. These frameworks help explain how society operates, how individuals interact within it, and how power dynamics affect social order.
- Structural Functionalism: This theory, largely associated with sociologist Émile Durkheim, views society as a complex system made up of various parts (institutions, norms, roles) that work together to maintain stability and order. According to this perspective, each part of society serves a function that contributes to the overall stability of the system. For example, the family institution promotes socialization and provides support, while the education system helps prepare individuals for the workforce. Functionalism focuses on how each element contributes to societal harmony, and it often emphasizes consensus and cooperation.
- Conflict Theory: Developed primarily by Karl Marx, Conflict Theory sees society as composed of groups competing for limited resources, such as power, wealth, and prestige. Unlike Structural Functionalism, which focuses on stability, Conflict Theory highlights inequality and the tension it creates between different social groups. This theory argues that social order is maintained not by consensus, but by the dominance of one group over others. For instance, the capitalist class exploits the working class, and the state serves to protect the interests of the ruling class. Conflict theorists examine how power and inequality shape social structures and interactions, often calling for social change to address these disparities.
- Symbolic Interactionism: This theory focuses on the everyday interactions among individuals and how these interactions create and sustain societal norms, values, and meanings. Key figures like George Herbert Mead and Erving Goffman emphasized the role of symbols—such as language and gestures—in shaping our social reality. Symbolic Interactionism looks at how people act based on the meanings they attribute to objects, events, and behaviors, which are learned through socialization. For example, the way people dress or behave in different social settings is based on shared cultural symbols. This theory highlights the importance of micro-level interactions in forming society’s macro-level structures.