Sociologists develop theories to clarify and analyze society at totally different levels and from a variety of views. Sociologists study everything from the small level of research of tiny social patterns (micro-sociological level) to the bigger level (macro-sociological) of research of enormous social patterns. Sociologists use three major theoretical views in social science nowadays. The three views are the following: symbolic interaction, functional analysis, and conflict theory. Each of these views have their designated theorists who contributed and founded the theories such as George Herbert Mead, Herbert Spencer, Emile Durkheim, Robert K. Merton, and Karl Marx.
The symbolic interaction perspective directs sociologists to consider the symbols and details of everyday life. This perspective goes under the micro-sociological level, meaning it examines a small-scale pattern. The respective theory answers what significant symbols mean, and how people interact with each other. The symbolic interactionism goes back to Max Weber's defense that individuals act according to their interpretation of the meaning of their world. On the contrary, George Herbert Mead, an American philosopher and one of the founders of symbolic interactionism, introduced this perspective to American sociology in the 1920s. According to this theory, people use symbols to create a social life, and then they act according to their interpretation of those symbols. For instance, for some people a wedding band represents the cycle of infinite love while others may see the rings as a financial expense that will be wrapped around their left third finger for the rest of their marriage. In addition to that, this perspective also receives criticism for ignoring the influence of social forces and institutions on individual interactions.
The functional analysis perspective is based off the assertion that society is a system of many pieces that connect and work together in harmony to create a social balance and symmetry for all. It is designed to meet the biological and social needs everyone in the society. This perspective is depended on the macro-sociological level, defining that it examines a large-scale pattern. Functionalism comes from the ideas and examinations of English philosopher and biologist, Hebert Spencer. He saw similarities between society and the human body. His observations proved that each organ works together with the anatomy of the body to keep it functioning properly. He realized that the comparison to society is adequate. Different segments of society work together to keep society functioning, just like the human body. Spencer referred to society as the social institutions such as government, education, economy, etc. In addition to Herbert Spencer, Emile Durkheim, another sociologist, applied Spencer’s theory to society. Durkheim explained that societies tend to change within time but also survive over time. Another sociologist, Robert K. Merton, also had a major role in working with functionalism. Merton identified two types of functions: manifest and latent. Manifest functions are the results of that are commonly known. On the other hand, latent functions are the outcomes of often kept away or unintended. An example involving both functions would be that vehicles are used to transport people from place to place (manifest). Due to various factors, vehicles are commonly involved in collisions and tragedies (latent). To conclude, this perspective also receives criticism. It is judged because it cannot explain the social change. Many sociologists, now believe that this perspective shouldn’t be categorized under the macro-sociological level, but still has a purpose in some analyses.
The functionalist perspective views society as formed out of many different segments working together for total equilibrium. In contrast, the conflict perspective views society as composed of different groups and interests competing for power and resources. This perspective is a macro-level approach that originated primarily out of Karl Marx's writings on social class struggles. Marx saw how society individuals from different social classes competed for social, material, and political resources such as housing, employment, education, etc. This perspective focuses on the negative, cruelty conflicting nature of society. Other sociologist expanded Marx’s theory. Today, conflict theorists notice social conflict between any social teams during which the potential for difference exists: race, gender, religion, politics, economics, and so on. Conflict theorists note that unequal teams typically have conflicting values and ideas, inflicting them to contend against each other. This constant competition between teams form the idea for the ever‐changing nature of society. By way of illustration for this perspective is when two or more groups nations compete over scarce resources like oil, food, etc. Kind of like when two kids want the last serving of food and they both go to reach for it at the same time, then a conflict happens because there is a limited amount of food for the number of people who want it. In conclusion, conflict theory is often criticized since it focuses too much on the conflicts than rather stabilizing.
All in all, these perspectives explain how society influences people, and vice versa. Each perspective uniquely forms society, social forces, and human behavior.