Summary
Highlights
Functionalism posits that society constantly seeks equilibrium and stability. Societal structures, like institutions, remain largely constant and only change when absolutely necessary to regain stability, fulfilling society's needs. An example is businesses adapting to the rise of online shopping to attract customers.
Conflict theory explains societal change through conflict. Conflicting viewpoints polarize society, with one group desiring change and another maintaining the status quo. Eventually, a resolution is reached, leading to a new synthesized society, as seen in the 19th-century European class struggle.
Social constructionism examines what a society is, suggesting that everything gains meaning and value through societal agreement rather than inherent properties. Money is a prime example; its value is not intrinsic but agreed upon by society, shaping societal interactions.
Symbolic interactionism focuses on individuals and the meanings they ascribe to things based on personal experiences. These meanings are subjective and can vary between individuals and even change over time for one person. Individuals interact with the world, giving it meaning, which shapes their actions and, consequently, society.
In summary, functionalism focuses on societal stability, conflict theory on how society changes through conflict, social constructionism on how things are given value, and symbolic interactionism on how individual interpretations and interactions shape meaning and behavior within society.