Transcript Conflict Theory

Conflict Theory
• Competition for scarce resources
• How the elite control the poor and weak
• Focuses mainly on the negative, conflicted and
ever-changing nature of society
• Violent and nonviolent competition
• When two elements in society are in conflict
• There has to be some resolution in this conflict
• If both take place this is what makes society go
forward
Conflict Theory
•
•
•
•
•
•
Macro
Change
Inequality
Power
Competition between opposing groups
Karl Marx
Weber
Conflict Theory
• Marx: dealt more with economics
• Weber: dealt more with power
• Topics of interest
– Decision making in the family
– Relationships among racial groups in a society
– Labor disputes between workers and employers
Interactionist Perspective
• Also known as symbolic interactionism
• People attach meanings to symbols
• Example
– Wedding: wedding bands, vows, white bridal
dress, wedding cake, church ceremony, flowers
• Also interested in how people interact
Interactionist Perspective
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Micro
Process
Communication
Interpretation
Non-verbal communication (symbols)
Max Weber
George H. Mead
Assignment
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Verstehen
Social statics
Social Darwinism
Social dynamics
Variable
Theoretical perspective
Social phenomenon
Symbols
• Think of 15 symbols that anyone in the U.S.
would know if you asked them
• Must be appropriate