What is the Perspective?

A theoretical perspective can be defined as an intellectual hypothetical model that provides a rational explanation for a given point of view. In simple words, theoretical perspectives are used in social sciences such as sociology, anthropology, and psychology to explain human and societal behavior as well as the various issues in society.

Sociologists view society differently as they have their own way of understanding society. They are:

• Functionalism/ Equilibrium Perspective
• Conflict Perspective
• Interpretative Perspective
• Post-Modernist Perspective

The concepts of theoretical perspective are as follows:

1. Some see the social world basically as a stable and ongoing unity. (Functionalism)
2. Some other sociologists see society as comprised of many groups, in conflict competing for scarce resources. (Conflict Perspective)
3. To other sociologists, the most interesting aspects of the social world are everyday life, routine interactions among individuals, that we sometimes take for granted. (Interpretative Perspective)
4. An approach that attempts to define how society has progressed to an era beyond modernity. (Post-Modernism)

1. Functionalism/ Equilibrium Perspective:

• The functionalist theory assumes that society tends to be an organized, state, well-integrated system, in which most of the members agree on basic values. The functionalist perspective draws its original inspiration work from the work of Herbert Spencer and Emile Durkheim.
• In the view of functionalists, society is like living organisms, in which each part of the organism contributes to its survival. Therefore the functionalist perspective emphasizes the way parts of the society are structured to maintain its stability. It is based on the macro-level of study.

Spencer compared societies to living organisms. In the same way, society has a structure. It also further argues that it consists of interrelated parts such as family, religion, education, politics, etc. Each of its components also has a function that contributes to the overall stability of a system.

Emile Durkheim focused on the role of religion in reinforcing feelings of solidarity and unity within group life. It emphasizes consensus, peace, and harmony within people.

Talcott Parsons saw society as a network of connected parts of each that contributes to the maintenance of the system as a whole.

Criticisms of Functionalism Perspective:

1. Conservative, imaginative, no clarity.
2. Ignorance of conflicts in society.
3. Fails to pay the importance of changes that takes part in the system i.e. Social dynamism is not included.
4. One-sided or Rigid.