![compare structural functionalism and conflict theory compare structural functionalism and conflict theory](http://image.slidesharecdn.com/ch7deviance-140203205823-phpapp02/95/ch-7-deviance-and-social-control-22-638.jpg)
However, there are various founding fathers of Sociology such as, Auguste Comte, Karl Heinrich Marx, David Emile Durkheim, Herbert Spencer and many more. As society is a complex structure, the study of sociology is required in each and every step of life. A person who is engaged in the study of sociology is referred to as a sociologist. It is the key study for the present situation. Sociology has emerged to be of great importance because of its impact on individuals and the society. But, things have altered in the present scenario. Before the emergence of sociology, society had never been the major concern and its study was carried in a very unscientific manner. Sociology is the scientific study of the society and its various elements. We received a wide variety of creative interpretations and responses, so browse our essay directory! Hassan Idris – Conflict Theory, Structural Functionalism, and Symbolic Interactionism We had a really great turnout and would like to thank everyone who submitted an essay. This essay was written by Hassan Idris, a student at Ahmadu Bello University in Nigeria. Students were prompted to respond to the question, “Why is sociology important?” We have awarded 16 finalists from all over the world, and we published these essays over the course of a few weeks. Finally, functionalist views families as a contributing factor to the stability of society, but conflict theorists view families as reflecting systems of power in society.This article on conflict theory, structural functionalism, and symbolic interactionism is being published on behalf of Applied Worldwide’s student essay competition.
![compare structural functionalism and conflict theory compare structural functionalism and conflict theory](https://image.slideserve.com/153299/a-functionalist-theory-of-religion15-l.jpg)
However, like functionalist theory, it traces the origin of social behavior in the structure of society, but it differs from functionalism in that it focuses on the significance of power. Therefore, the conflict theory has been criticized for not emphasizing the issue of shared values in a society like functionalism, but its focus on inequality and social control.
![compare structural functionalism and conflict theory compare structural functionalism and conflict theory](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/sociology101-chapter1-100122141402-phpapp01/95/sociology-101-chapter-1-13-728.jpg)
The theory views the race and class to contribute to the unjust done to the minority because they accumulate resources that give them the power to fight the poor in society (Powers 175). Therefore, those with most resources put pressure on those without resources, and in the end, there is an unequal distribution of resources. Andersen and Taylor (21) indicate that individuals and groups fight for control over society’s resources trying to secure them to meet their interests. The theory demonstrates that the unequal distribution of the resource is brought by people who are powerful and want everything to be in their interest.Ĭoercion and social control unite people in society, but there is exceptional of shared values and conformity. From a perspective of conflict theory, consensus occurs because people are united to attain a common interest and often in conflict with other groups. The theory emphasizes the order in society is maintained by power and not unity and the power is with the mighty ones. While, functionalism emphasis unity within society, conflict theory focuses on strive and friction in society. Conflict theoryĪccording to Andersen and Taylor (21), conflict theory focuses on the role of coercion and power that gives individuals or groups the ability to influence and control others in producing social order. Therefore, the theory is concern about the togetherness of all parts of society to produce a whole society. Meanwhile, the theory was further developed by Talcott Parsons, who urged that all parts of the social system interact. The theory was further developed by Robert Merton, who argued that social activities have consequences for society that are not always immediately perceptible. These negative impacts from malfunctioning in the social system include a breakdown in shared values and social institutions no longer meet the people’s needs. The changes that may occur due to the malfunctioning of some part in the society may be beneficial or may hurt society. The functionalism theory argues that when one part of society is not functioning well, it influences all other parts and cause social problems in society. Several changes are brought by the incompetence of society thus, the parts in society should be organized well to bring stability (Powers 175). Thus, the theory maintains the sharing of public resources that produce an orderly society.