Sociological Perspectives

• What is a sociological perspective?

  Different ways in which a sociologist views society
• What are the 2 categories that traditional sociological theories fall in?

  -Structural approach = Believe that society shapes the individual and their behaviour -Social action approach=Suggest individuals are not shaped by social factors as they have free will
• What are structural theories?

  -Focus on macro sociology = Examine social trends by looking at wide-ranging social issues that impact on most of society e.g. health, crime, poverty, unemployment -Broken down into conflict & consensus theories
• What are conflict theories?

  -Believe that society is divided by 2 or more groups competing for power and resources -e.g. Marxism & Feminism
• What are consensus theories?

  -Suggest that society is balanced and people have a common identity and agree on society norms & values e.g. Functionalism
• What are social action theories?


  -Examine society on MICRO level and society is made of individuals who have free will -Examine experience of individuals particulary those with less of a voice in society E.g. Interactionism