Microsociology, Macrosociology, Functionalism and Conflict Theory – Theoretical Approaches of Social Structure (SOC)

00:00 Okay, so why don’t we take a look at some of the theoretical approaches to understanding in studying Sociology.

00:06 So, one clear way is to distinguish between Macrosociology and Microsociology.

00:12 Macrosociology emphasizes the analysis of social systems and population on a large scale.

00:18 So we’re looking at, we can focus on small groups but then we’re looking at how that applies to that broader larger social structure Somethings big picture.

00:26 And we have Microsociology which concerns… concerning the nature of everyday human social interaction and the agency on a small scale.

00:34 And we’re looking about face to face interactions.

00:37 So focus more on individual interaction and thinking within groups as oppose to applying group thinking into a larger broader bigger group.

00:47 So they’re couple other theories and models that we’re going to walk through.

00:51 And we’re going to look at how they differentiate and what it is that they’re actually focusing on in terms of Sociology.

00:56 So first is Functionalism.

00:58 And this falls as a type of macrosocial theory.

01:01 So core of the Functionalism Model, we’re saying that states that societies are complex systems of interrelated and interdependent parts.

01:11 And that each part of society is significantly influences the others.

01:15 So it’s interconnected.

01:17 Each part of society exists because it has a specific function that perform for society as a whole.

01:24 And there that societies follow a state of equilibrium and shifts are adjusted through adjustments.

01:30 So, we know that study in our society is we have a different bodies or we have this educational system, we have the religious sector, we have the commercial sector.

01:38 And so all of this play a specific role yet they’re all related, right? So businesses can impact religion and religion can impact vice versa can impact business, and education can impact businesses and so on.

01:55 So they’re all interconnected. And what it does is that it establishes a certain equilibrium that that’s a specific society has in that moment.

02:02 and if there's ever a change like there's turmoil in the church or there's economic instability that’s going to over time adjust itself and go back to either a new state, a new state of equilibrium or return back to the previous level of equilibrium.

02:20 Conflict theory is a little bit different.

02:21 Conflict Theory states that society is a competition for and they’re competing for a limited pool of resources.

02:28 And they do not lean on some form of equilibriums.

02:32 So it’s not that they’re trying to get to a certain state.

02:35 it’s that there's this constant struggle.

02:38 As a limited matter of resources end this constant competition.

02:41 Individuals and groups requires scarce resources to satisfy their own needs and wants that’s creating endless conflicts.

02:49 Those with power have the ability to control more of those resources for examples, political, economic and social resources.

02:57 So, that can make a lot of sense and always to.

03:00 And that they’re looking for a whether it’s economic wealth.

03:04 if you’re looking for political power, if you’re looking so access to social resources.

03:10 The individuals are a little bit more affluent who have that in terms of society on a ladder or a little bit higher up.

03:15 They would have more of that.

03:16 And so there's a constant struggle and conflict to trying get more of those resources.

03:21 Now, the major criticism with the Conflict Theory includes the following three points.

03:25 First, focuses on conflict and not really the stability that expresses the society.

03:29 So it’s not that things are perfect but it’s not also a daily conflict.

03:35 In a lot of ways, we’ve embrace and we live within the social constructs that are around us, right? So we sort of understand and we live in.

03:41 And now we’re miserable in fighting every day.

03:43 It also ignores the non-forceful ways agreements can be reach.

03:47 So there's other peaceful and sort of academic ways to discuss and negotiating and create ways to work within that society.

03:55 And it focuses on economic driver as a main conflict within society.

03:58 So it’s not always about money.

04:01 There could be other things that people within society are debating about and trying to as understand a little bit better.

04:07 And so this model focuses a little bit more on the economic drivers.