Major Theoretical Frameworks In Sociological Analysis

1. Define the major points of each of the major theoretical frameworks in sociology. Choose a social issue (other than divorce) and apply the three sociological perspectives to the chosen issue. The three major theoretical frameworks are symbolic interactionism, functional analysis, and conflict theory. Symbolic interactionism is a microsociological analysis, meaning that it focuses on face-to-face interactions between people, and uses symbols to understand the surrounding world. These symbols can range from family members, to teachers, to doctors and police officers, to love. These symbols are the basis behind people's’ actions. Functional analysis is a macrosociological approach and views society as a whole unit that works together, …show more content…
Each group determines its’ own norms through defining expectations that best reflect that group's values. These rules of behavior each society possesses are regulated by both positive and negative sanctions. Positive sanctions are rewards for following the norms society creates such as getting promoted for following the norms of a job. Negative sanctions are the consequences that come from straying from societal norms. This might include getting a speeding ticket or getting yelled at by a boss or authority figure. Folkways are norms that aren’t strictly enforces such as wearing matching socks. If you see someone wearing mismatching crazy socks, you aren’t likely to say anything, but you’ll probably notice. Mores stray far from society's norms and are considered more serious such as heroin or cocaine addictions. The consequences for mores is often jail time. Taboos are things that are so strongly repelled, that it often disgusts people even talking about them, such as child pornography. 4. What are the components of material and nonmaterial culture? Provide the definition and an example of …show more content…
Nature is defined as a person’s heritable traits, or the traits they are born with. Nurture is defined as the traits that develop over time based on a person’s surroundings. The best research done regarding nature versus nurture is the study of identical twins, especially those separated at birth. The book describes the unique case of twins Jack and Oskar. Jack grew up with his father in a Jewish family in Trinidad where he learned to hate Hitler, always work hard, and leaned more toward a liberal political stance. Oskar, however, was raised in a Catholic family in Czechoslovakia by his mother where he loved Hitler, so much so he even joined the Hitler Youth as a young boy. When Oskar grew up, he appreciated leisure time, and leaned toward a more conservative political stance. These differences make a solid case for the nurture standpoint, however, their similarities such a both enjoying similar types of alcohol and spicy foods, playing sports, and having a strong disliking for math show that it’s a combination of nature and nurture that make up a