CLARK COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

(formerly Clark International College of Science & Technology)

SNS Bldg., Aurea St., SamsonvilleSubd., Dau, Mabalacat City, Pampanga
Telefax No.: (045) 624-0215

Name:shaina b. torres
Grade /Section/ Strand:

Teacher Josefina Crisanta V. Pontillas Year Level 12

Teaching Date and Time Module 3 Learning Area Discipline and Ideas in Social
WEEK 7-9 Sciences (DISS)
Semester / Quarter 2ND Sem

MAJOR SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

The learners should be able to ….
1. Learn the three major sociological perspectives
2. Apply these perspectives in analyzing social problems
3. Learn the three level of analysis

The Three Main Sociological Perspectives

From Mooney, Knox, and Schacht, 2007. Understanding Social Problems, 5th edition
Theories in sociology provide us with different perspectives with which to view our social world. A perspective is
simply a way of looking at the world. A theory is a set of interrelated propositions or principles designed to answer a
question or explain a particular phenomenon; it provides us with a perspective. Sociological theories help us to explain
and predict the social world in which we live. Sociology includes three major theoretical perspectives: the functionalist
perspective, the conflict perspective, and the symbolic interactionist perspective (sometimes called the interactionist
perspective, or simply the micro view). Each perspective offers a variety of explanations about the social world and
human behavior.

Functionalist Perspective
 The functionalist perspective is based largely on the works of Herbert Spencer, Emile Durkheim, Talcott Parsons, and
Robert Merton.
 According to functionalism, society is a system of interconnected parts that work together in harmony to maintain a
state of balance and social equilibrium for the whole. For example, each of the social institutions contributes
important functions for society: Family provides a context for reproducing, nurturing, and socializing children;
education offers a way to transmit a society’s skills, knowledge, and culture to its youth; politics provides a means of
governing members of society; economics provides for the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and
services; and religion provides moral guidance and an outlet for worship of a higher power.
 The functionalist perspective emphasizes the interconnectedness of society by focusing on how each part influences
and is influenced by other parts. For example, the increase in single parent and dual-earner families has contributed to
the number of children who are failing in school because parents have become less available to supervise their
children’s homework.
 As a result of changes in technology, colleges are offering more technical programs, and many adults are returning to
school to learn new skills that are required in the workplace. The increasing number of women in the workforce has
contributed to the formulation of policies against sexual harassment and job discrimination.
 Functionalists use the terms functional and dysfunctional to describe the effects of social elements on society.
Elements of society are functional if they contribute to social stability and dysfunctional if they disrupt social stability.
Some aspects of society can be both functional and dysfunctional. For example, crime is dysfunctional in that it is
associated with physical violence, loss of property, and fear.
 But according to Durkheim and other functionalists, crime is also functional for society because it leads to heightened
awareness of shared moral bonds and increased social cohesion.
 Robert Merton expanded the concept of social function by arguing that any social structure may have many functions.
He distinguished between manifest functions (functions that are known, referring to functions expected to be fulfilled
by the social institutions) and latent functions (the unrecognized and unintended consequences/function of any social
pattern).
Example: Social Institution = FAMILY

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Manifest function (intended function/role)

 Provide education and financial support to children; Provide emotional support, Perpetuate society

Latent function (unintended function)

 Care for the elders; Care for Uncle or Aunties who are single

Merton also recognized that the effects or outcomes of social structures are not all necessarily good for everyone. He
coined the term “social dysfunction” as any pattern that may disrupt the operation of society. 

Example : Educational Institution (latent and manifest functions)

The manifest function of education is to transmit knowledge and skills to society’s youth. But public elementary schools
also serve as babysitters for employed parents, and colleges offer a place for young adults to meet potential mates. The
baby-sitting and mate-selection functions are not the intended or commonly recognized functions of education; hence they
are latent functions

Dysfunction: When a Latent Function Does Harm

The thing about latent functions is that they often go unnoticed or uncredited, that is unless they produce negative
outcomes. Merton classified harmful latent functions as dysfunctions because they cause disorder and conflict within
society. However, he also recognized that dysfunctions can be manifest in nature. These occur when the negative
consequences are known in advance and include, for example, the disruption of traffic and daily life by a large event like a
street festival or a protest. Family dysfunctions includes divorce, domestic violence and child labor just to name a few.

SOCIAL EQUILIBRIUM:

Social equilibrium, a theoretical state of balance in a social system referring both to an internal balance between
interrelated social phenomena and to the external relationship the system maintains with its environment. It is the
tendency of the social system, when disturbed, to return to its original state, because any small change in a social element
is followed by changes in other related elements that work toward diminishing the first disturbance.

American sociologist Talcott Parsons postulated that all social systems tend to approximate a state of equilibrium,
although no concrete system will actually reach a perfectly equilibrated state. To Parsons, the fully equilibrated society
served as a theoretical reference point rather than as a description of a real system. Some students of cultural change,
however, maintain that the basic tendencies in social and cultural systems are toward change rather than toward states of
equilibrium.

Conflict Perspective
 The functionalist perspective views society as composed of different parts working together. In contrast, the conflict
perspective views society as composed of different groups and interest competing for power and resources.
 The conflict perspective explains various aspects of our social world by looking at which groups have power and
benefit from a particular social arrangement. For example, feminist theory argues that we live in a patriarchal society
—a hierarchical system of organization controlled by men. Although there are many varieties of feminist theory, most
would hold that feminism “demands that existing economic, political, and social structures be changed” (Weir and
Faulkner 2004, p.xii).
 The origins of the conflict perspective can be traced to the classic works of Karl Marx. Marx suggested that all
societies go through stages of economic development. As societies evolve from agricultural to industrial, concern over
meeting survival needs is replaced by concern over making a profit, the hallmark of a capitalist system.
Industrialization leads to the development of two classes of people: the bourgeoisie, or the owners of the means of
production (e.g., factories, farms, businesses); and the proletariat, or the workers who earn wages.

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 The division of society into two broad classes of people—the “haves” and the “havenots”—is beneficial to the owners
of the means of production. The workers, who may earn only subsistence wages, are denied access to the many
resources available to the wealthy owners.
 According to Marx, the bourgeoisie use their power to control the institutions of society to their advantage. For
example, Marx suggested that religion serves as an “opiate of the masses” in that it soothes the distress and suffering
associated with the working-class lifestyle and focuses the workers’ attention on spirituality, God, and the afterlife
rather than on such worldly concerns as living conditions. In essence, religion diverts the workers so that they
concentrate on being rewarded in heaven for living a moral life rather than on questioning their exploitation.
 Conflict theory in its various forms views social problems as arising from society’s inherent inequality. Depending on
which version of conflict theory is being considered, the inequality contributing to social problems is based on social
class, race and ethnicity, gender, or some other dimension of society’s hierarchy. Because any of these inequalities
represents a fundamental flaw in society, conflict theory assumes that fundamental social change is needed to address
society’s many social problems.

Symbolic Interactionist Perspective

 Both the functionalist and the conflict perspectives are concerned with how broad aspects of society, such as
institutions and large social groups, influence the social world. This level of sociological analysis is called macro
sociology: It looks at the big picture of society and suggests how social problems are affected at the institutional level.
 Micro sociology, another level of sociological analysis, is concerned with the social psychological dynamics of
individuals interacting in small groups. Symbolic interactionism reflects the micro-sociological perspective, and was
largely influenced by the work of early sociologists and philosophers, such as George Simmel, Charles Cooley,
George Herbert Mead, and Erving Goffman.
 Symbolic interactionism emphasizes that human behavior is influenced by definitions and meanings that are created
and maintained through symbolic interaction with others. Sociologist W.I. Thomas (1966) emphasized the importance
of definitions and meanings in social behavior and its consequences. He suggested that humans respond to their
definition of a situation rather than to the objective situation itself. Hence Thomas noted that situations that we define
as real become real in their consequences.
 Drawing on Blumer’s work, symbolic interactionists feel that people do not merely learn the roles that society has set
out for them; instead they construct these roles as they interact. As they interact, they negotiate their definitions of the
situations in which they find themselves and socially construct the reality of these situations. In doing so, they rely
heavily on symbols such as words and gestures to reach a shared understanding of their interaction.
 An example is the familiar symbol of shaking hands. In the United States and many other societies, shaking hands is a
symbol of greeting and friendship. This simple act indicates that you are a nice, polite person with whom someone
should feel comfortable. To reinforce this symbol’s importance for understanding a bit of interaction, consider a
situation where someone refuses to shake hands. This action is usually intended as a sign of dislike or as an insult, and
the other person interprets it as such. Their understanding of the situation and subsequent interaction will be very
different from those arising from the more typical shaking of hands. As the term symbolic interactionism implies,
their understanding of this encounter arises from what they do when they interact and from their use and interpretation
of the various symbols included in their interaction. According to symbolic interactionists, social order is possible
because people learn what various symbols (such as shaking hands) mean and apply these meanings to different kinds
of situations. If you visited a society where sticking your right hand out to greet someone was interpreted as a
threatening gesture, you would quickly learn the value of common understandings of symbols.

 Symbolic interactionism views social problems as arising from the interaction of individuals. This interaction matters
in two important respects. First, socially problematic behaviors such as crime and drug use are often learned from our
interaction with people who engage in these behaviors; we adopt their attitudes that justify committing these
behaviors, and we learn any special techniques that might be needed to commit these behaviors. Second, we also learn
our perceptions of a social problem from our interaction with other people, whose perceptions and beliefs influence
our own perceptions and beliefs.

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 CLARK COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(formerly Clark International College of Science & Technology)
SNS Bldg., Aurea St., SamsonvilleSubd., Dau, Mabalacat City, Pampanga
Telefax No.: (045) 624-0215

APPLICATION OF THE THREE MAJOR PERSPECTIVES

To help you further understand the different views of these three theoretical perspectives, let’s see what they would
probably say about armed robbery, a very serious form of crime, while recognizing that the three perspectives together
provide a more comprehensive understanding of armed robbery than any one perspective provides by itself.
A functionalist approach might suggest that armed robbery actually serves positive functions for society, such as the job-
creating function mentioned earlier for crime in general. It would still think that efforts should be made to reduce armed
robbery, but it would also assume that far-reaching changes in our society would be neither wise nor necessary as part of
the effort to reduce crime.

Conflict theory would take a very different approach to understanding armed robbery. It might note that most street
criminals are poor and thus emphasize that armed robbery is the result of the despair and frustration of living in poverty
and facing a lack of jobs and other opportunities for economic and social success. The roots of street crime, from the
perspective of conflict theory, thus lie in society at least as much as they lie in the individuals committing such crime. To
reduce armed robbery and other street crime, conflict theory would advocate far-reaching changes in the economic
structure of society.

For its part, symbolic interactionism would focus on how armed robbers make such decisions as when and where to rob
someone and on how their interactions with other criminals reinforce their own criminal tendencies. It would also
investigate how victims of armed robbery behave when confronted by a robber. To reduce armed robbery, it would
advocate programs that reduce the opportunities for interaction among potential criminal offenders, for example, after-
school programs that keep at-risk youths busy in “conventional” activities so that they have less time to spend with youths
who might help them get into trouble.

Sources:
https://open.lib.umn.edu/socialproblems/chapter/1-2-sociological-perspectives-on-social-problems/ ;
https://laulima.hawaii.edu/access/content/user/kfrench/sociology/The%20Three%20Main%20Sociological%20Perspectives.pdf

We nurture ambitions!
DISCIPLINE AND IDEAS IN SOCIAL SCIENCE
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 CLARK COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(formerly Clark International College of Science & Technology)
SNS Bldg., Aurea St., SamsonvilleSubd., Dau, Mabalacat City, Pampanga
Telefax No.: (045) 624-0215

THREE LEVEL OF ANALYSIS

SOCIOLOGICAL APPROACH DIFFER BY THEIR LEVEL OF ANALYSIS
• Microlevel – At the micro level, sociologists examine the smallest levels of interaction; even in some cases,
just “the self” alone. Microlevel analyses might include one-on-one interactions between couples or friends.
Or perhaps a sociologist is interested in how a person’s perception of self is influenced by his or her social
context. In each of these cases, the level of inquiry is micro.

• Meso-level – When sociologists investigate groups, their inquiry is at the meso level. Sociologists who
conduct meso-level research might study how norms of workplace behavior vary across professions or how
children’s sporting clubs are organized, to cite two examples. 

• Macrolevel - At the macro level, sociologists examine social structures and institutions. Research at the
macro level examines large-scale patterns. In recent years, sociologists have become increasingly interested
in the process and impacts of globalization. A study of globalization that examines the interrelationships
between nations would be an example of a macrolevel study

Let’s look at an example.

Using three level of analysis in Gang Activity

 Gang activity has been a topic of interest to sociologists for many years and has been studied from each of the levels
of inquiry described here.
 At the micro level, sociologists might study the inner workings of a specific gang, communication styles, and what
everyday life is like for gang members.
 At the meso level, sociologists are likely to examine interactions between gangs or perhaps how different branches of
the same gang vary from one area to the next.
 At the macro level, we could compare the impact of gang activity across communities or examine the economic
impact of gangs on nations. 

Using Three level of Analysis in Beauty Pageants

 At the micro level, sociologist can look at the individual lives of beauty queens. What motivated them to join
beauty pageants? What satisfaction they get in joining beauty contest?
 At the Meso level, sociologists can study the gains/benefits of different beauty pageant organizations in
organizing such contests; or how other agencies or organization are involve in promoting the causes of beauty
pageants. The practice of politics in Beauty pageants.
 At the Macrolevel, sociologist might look on the fanaticism of Filipinos when it comes to beauty Pageant and how
it impacts the society/nation, if the country’s representative bags the crown. How beauty pageants affect society.

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 CLARK COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(formerly Clark International College of Science & Technology)
SNS Bldg., Aurea St., SamsonvilleSubd., Dau, Mabalacat City, Pampanga
Telefax No.: (045) 624-0215

SUMMARY

SOCIOLOGICAL LEVEL OF FOCUS KEY CONCEPTS

ANALYSIS
PERSPECTIVE

SYMBOLIC MICRO USE OF SYMBOLS, SYMBOLS; MEANING;

INTERACTIONISM FACE TO FACE SIGNIFICANT
INTERACTION OTHERS; DEFINITION
OF A SITUATION

FUNCTIONALISM MACRO RELATIONSHIP  MANIFEST

BETWEEN THE ARTS FUNCTIONS
OF SOCIETY; HOW  LATENT
ASPECTS OF SOCIETY FUNCTIONS
ARE FUNCTIONAL DYSFUNCTION

CONFLICT THEORY MACRO COMPETITION FOR CONFLICT;

SCARCE RESOURCES; DOMINANCE;
HOW THE ELITE INEQUALITY;
CONTROL THE POOR ALIENATION
AND WEAK

PREPARED BY: CHECKED/APPROVED BY:

JC PONTILLAS NORBERTO DE GUZMAN

PRINCIPAL

Name:shaina b. torres

We nurture ambitions!
DISCIPLINE AND IDEAS IN SOCIAL SCIENCE
*Do not duplicate or distribute without written permission from CLARK COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
 CLARK COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(formerly Clark International College of Science & Technology)
SNS Bldg., Aurea St., SamsonvilleSubd., Dau, Mabalacat City, Pampanga
Telefax No.: (045) 624-0215

Grade /Section/ Strand:

Teacher Josefina Crisanta V. Pontillas Year Level 12

Teaching Date and Time Module 3 Learning Area Discipline and Ideas in Social
WEEK 7-9 Sciences (DISS)
Semester / Quarter 2ND Sem

I. Analyze the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine using the three Sociological Perspective

SOCIAL PROBLEM Problem to Analyze: WAR BETWEEN RUSSIA AND UKRAINE

Symbolic Interactionism
Relations between the two countries have been hostile since the 2014
Ukrainian revolution, which was followed by Russia's annexation of
Crimea from Ukraine, and due to Russia's backing for the separatist
fighters of the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's
Republic in a war, conflicts that had killed

Conflict Perspective

Throughout 2021 and 2022, a Russian military buildup on the border of

Ukraine escalated tensions between the two countries and strained their
bilateral relations. Ukraine broke diplomatic relations with Moscow in
response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine

Functionalist Perspective During 2020, Ukraine had a large net trade with Russia in the exports
of Metals ($716M), Machines ($675M), and Chemical Products
($629M). During 2020, Russia had a large net trade with Ukraine in the
exports of Mineral Products ($2.61B), Chemical Products ($685M), and
Machines ($646M).

II. Using the three level of Analysis (Micro, Meso and Macro) , analyze the impact of Coronavirus on the
following:

YOU (Microlevel) - How did it impact you as individual?

I did not enjoy my school days because of this pandemic
Community (Mesolevel)- How did it impact your community/barangay or families within the community?
The community suffer because of this
Educational System (Macrolevel) – How did it impact our Educational system?
There are a lot of changes because of this pandemic

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DISCIPLINE AND IDEAS IN SOCIAL SCIENCE
*Do not duplicate or distribute without written permission from CLARK COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
 CLARK COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(formerly Clark International College of Science & Technology)
SNS Bldg., Aurea St., SamsonvilleSubd., Dau, Mabalacat City, Pampanga
Telefax No.: (045) 624-0215

Name:shaina b. torres
Grade /Section/ Strand:

Teacher Josefina Crisanta V. Pontillas Year Level 12

Teaching Date and Time Module 3 Learning Area Discipline and Ideas in Social
WEEK 7-9 Sciences (DISS)
Semester / Quarter 2ND Sem

II. Identify what Sociological Perspective the following statements describe. Write FP for Functionalist
Perspective, CP for Conflict Perspective and SI for Symbolic Interactionism.

cp 1. It is concerned with the social psychological dynamics of individuals interacting in small

groups.
2 . This perspective is based largely on the works of Herbert Spencer, Emile Durkheim, Talcott
fp Parsons, and Robert Merton.

cp 3. It views social problems as arising from the interaction of individuals

cp 4. This perspective employs micro level analysis.
fp 5. One of its key concepts is the manifest and latent functions.
si 6. It views social problems as arising from society’s inherent inequality.
si 7. It emphasizes that human behavior is influenced by definitions and meanings that are created
and maintained through symbolic interaction with others.
Cp 8. This perspective explains various aspects of our social world by looking at which groups have
power and benefit from a particular social arrangement
cp 9. This perspective emphasizes the interconnectedness of society by focusing on how each part
influences and is influenced by other parts.
si 10. This perspective explains various aspects of our social world by looking at which groups have
power and benefit from a particular social arrangement

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