The Theory Of Social Life - 1581 Words

In order to interpret social life we have utilized three primary theoretical perspectives. In this paper I will summarize all three primary perspectives by identifying the role, figures and key concepts related to each of these three theories. I will then identify which of these three theories I find most useful in studying sociology today and then I will explain the rationale behind my selection. Finally, I will provide my own argument to the debate as whether the purpose of social research should be only to advance the understanding of human behavior or to investigate/reform harmful social arrangements. The first theory I will cover is symbolic interactionism. The symbolic interaction perspective, also called symbolic interactionism,†¦show more content†¦Interactionist seem to focus on the subject aspects of social life. People interpret one another’s behavior and it is these interpretations that form the social bond. These interpretations are called the â€Å"defi nition of the situation† (Crossman). For example, why would young people smoke cigarettes even when medical evidence points to the dangers of doing so? Studies find that teenagers are well informed about the risks of tobacco, but they also think that smoking is cool, that they themselves will be safe from harm, and that smoking projects a positive image to their peers (Crossman). The symbolic meaning of smoking overrides the actual facts regarding smoking and risk. â€Å"Some fundamental aspects of our social experience and identities, like race and gender, can be understood through the symbolic interactionist lens† (Crossman). Having no biological bases at all, both race and gender are social constructs that function based on what we believe to be true about people, given what they look like. We tend to use socially constructed meanings of race and gender to help us decide who we interact with, how to do so, and to help us determine, sometimes inaccurately, the meaning of a person s words or actions (Crossman). â€Å"In the cases of race and gender, this perspective would not account for social forces like systemic racism or gender discrimination, which strongly influence what we believe race and gender mean† (Crossman). â€Å"One reason for this focus