Using sociological theories to analyse and explain human social behaviour – Higher Sociology SQA Revision

Understanding Sociological Theories

Sociological theories offer a framework for understanding human behaviour, social interactions, and societal structures.
Many different sociological theories exist, each offering a different perspective on human behaviour. These include functionalism, conflict theories like Marxism, symbolic interactionism, and feminist theories.
These theories can be applied to various societal issues to gain a deeper understanding of their causes and potential solutions.

Functionalism

Functionalism seeks to understand society as a system where all parts work together to maintain stability.
This theory suggests that social institutions such as family, education, and religion each serve a specific function in maintaining societal order and balance.
For example, a functionalist perspective might view crime as serving a function, initiating societal discussion and potentially leading to social changes.

Conflict Theories

Conflict theories outline society as a continuous power struggle over scarce resources. They highlight discrepancies in power and wealth, often linked to factors such as class, race, or gender.
Notably, Marxist theory portrays society as a battle between two classes: the owning class, who controls the means of production, and the working class.
A conflict theorist might interpret social deviance as a protest against existing power structures and societal inequalities.

Symbolic Interactionism

Symbolic interactionism focuses on the micro-level, examining daily interactions between individuals and their understanding of symbols.
This theory argues that humans act and respond according to their interpretation of symbols and meanings, highlighting the subjective perception of reality.
An example of this could be language, as different words or signs can carry unique meanings for different people or within different cultures.

Feminist Theories

Feminist theories focus on societal structures related to gender and the inequalities women often experience.
Some branches of feminist theory argue for complete gender equality in all aspects, while others celebrate the uniqueness of womanhood and feminine experience.
In analysing societal issues, feminist theorists often uncover underlying patriarchal structures and systems, aiming to challenge these and seek equal rights and representation for all genders.

Applying Sociological Theories

Sociological theories are powerful analytical tools that can be applied to explore and interpret social phenomena.
Critically applying these theories can help to uncover complex social structures and power dynamics that influence human behaviour.
For example, a conflict theory perspective could be used to analyse social inequality and its consequences, while a symbolic interactionist perspective could be used to understand the use and impact of socially constructed symbols.
Understanding and correctly applying these theories in a logical and critical manner can assist in generating compelling sociological analyses of human social behaviour.