What are the various sociological perspectives?

Answer 1

There are three main Sociological Perspectives.

Two 'Macro' perspectives, Conflict Theory and Functional Theory.

To make it easy to understand, if you think of your typical action hero, say he is CIA, we can say that they are Conflict types as they go around thinking all people are 'bad' or 'untrustworthy'.

Functionalist Theory can be put down to a trusting social worker or a chaplain who cares for people and sees mankind as people who not generally evil-at-heart.

Symbolic Interactionism is the third perspective and is 'Micro', meaning that it focuses on a smaller scale. They use of symbols we tend to develop our own interpretations and opinions of various issues and objects. You can say that this is characterised by a more singleton approach. For example, waiting outside a classroom or a bar, you line up in a line. How do we know that this is the correct social thing to do? Why not just scatter around and approach the entrance at random?

There are of course criticisms for each perspective. Go ahead and research it. I am sure you will find it interesting.