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We have included an overview of the major schools of thought in sociology below:
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Structural Functionalism
- Developed by theorists like Durkheim, Parsons, Merton
- Views society as a complex system with interconnected parts that work together to promote stability and solidarity
- Focuses on social structure and functions of institutions like family, education, economy, polity
- Critiqued for overlooking issues of social change and conflicts
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Conflict Theory
- Rooted in Marx’s writings and furthered by theorists like Dahrendorf
- Based on idea that power differentials and conflicts drive societal tensions and changes
- Sees societies divided by social class, race, gender and other group identities with struggles for control over resources
- Critiqued for overstating role of conflicts while undermining shared values and norms
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Symbolic Interactionism
- Developed from pragmatist ideas of George Herbert Mead
- Examines micro-level interactions, shared meanings and self-identity
- Focuses on human capacity for self-reflection that shapes socialization and reality construction
- Critiqued for lacking macro-level analysis of institutionalized social differences
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Critical Sociology
- Influenced by ideas like Marxism, feminism, postcolonialism
- Concerned with exposing biases hidden within mainstream practices and ideologies regarding power, discrimination, inequality
- Seeks to challenge assumptions and orthodoxy while enabling social empowerment
- Critiqued for excessive focus on criticism over constructivism
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Post-modernism Sociology
- Questions assumptions of objectivity and scientific methods of gaining knowledge
- Draws attention to multiplicity of experiences and ways of knowing shaped by language, culture, history
- Highlights emergent nature of globalized information societies and flexible social identities
These major schools of thought differ significantly in perspectives, assumptions and methodologies for studying society and social relationships. They continue to evolve through interdisciplinary exchanges enriching sociological theory and research.