📘 Sociological Perspectives
By Subrat Majumder, MA Sociology
Sociological perspectives are foundational lenses through which society is analyzed, interpreted, and understood. These frameworks help us decode the intricate relationship between individuals and the social structures they inhabit.
🔍 Key Perspectives:
• Structural Functionalism
Views society as a complex system with interdependent parts working together to promote stability and social order. Think Durkheim’s emphasis on collective conscience and institutions.
• Conflict Theory
Rooted in Marxist thought, this perspective highlights power struggles, inequality, and social change. It sees society as a battleground of competing interests.
• Symbolic Interactionism
Focuses on micro-level interactions and the meanings individuals assign to symbols, gestures, and language. Pioneered by Mead and Blumer, it reveals how reality is socially constructed.
• Feminist Perspective
Challenges patriarchal structures and advocates for gender equity. It examines how gender intersects with other social categories like class and race.
• Postmodern and Subaltern Views
These newer lenses question grand narratives and give voice to marginalized communities, emphasizing diversity, fragmentation, and localized experiences.
🧠 Why It Matters:
Sociological perspectives empower us to critically engage with social realities, challenge assumptions, and envision transformative possibilities. They are not just academic tools—they are keys to understanding the pulse of society.
📘 Short Note: Sociological Perspectives
✨ In English
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Sociological Perspectives |
Sociological Perspectives are different ways of looking at society, social behavior, and social institutions. They provide theoretical frameworks to analyze how individuals interact with society.
The three major perspectives are:
Functionalist Perspective (Structural Functionalism) – Views society as a system of interrelated parts (institutions) that work together to maintain stability. Thinkers: Emile Durkheim, Talcott Parsons.
Conflict Perspective – Emphasizes inequality, power struggle, and social change. Society is divided into groups competing for resources. Thinker: Karl Marx.
Symbolic Interactionist Perspective – Focuses on everyday interactions, meanings, symbols, and communication. Thinker: George Herbert Mead, Herbert Blumer.
Together, these perspectives give a comprehensive understanding of society—from large-scale structures to small-scale interactions.
✨ বাংলায়
সমাজতাত্ত্বিক দৃষ্টিভঙ্গি (Sociological Perspectives) হলো সমাজকে বোঝার বিভিন্ন উপায়। এগুলি মানুষের আচরণ, সামাজিক সম্পর্ক ও প্রতিষ্ঠানের বিশ্লেষণের কাঠামো দেয়।
প্রধান তিনটি দৃষ্টিভঙ্গি হলো:
কার্যকরী দৃষ্টিভঙ্গি (Functionalism) – সমাজকে একটি সামগ্রিক ব্যবস্থা হিসেবে দেখে, যেখানে প্রতিটি প্রতিষ্ঠান স্থিতিশীলতা রক্ষায় ভূমিকা রাখে। চিন্তক: এমিল দুর্খেইম, ট্যালকট পার্সন্স।
সংঘাতমূলক দৃষ্টিভঙ্গি (Conflict Theory) – সমাজে বৈষম্য, ক্ষমতার লড়াই ও সামাজিক পরিবর্তনের উপর গুরুত্ব দেয়। চিন্তক: কার্ল মার্ক্স।
প্রতীকী আন্তঃক্রিয়াবাদ (Symbolic Interactionism) – দৈনন্দিন জীবনে মানুষ কিভাবে প্রতীক, ভাষা ও অর্থ ব্যবহার করে সম্পর্ক তৈরি করে তা বিশ্লেষণ করে। চিন্তক: জর্জ হার্বার্ট মীড, হার্বার্ট ব্লুমার।
এই দৃষ্টিভঙ্গিগুলি সমাজকে বৃহৎ কাঠামো থেকে ক্ষুদ্র আন্তঃক্রিয়া পর্যন্ত বোঝাতে সাহায্য করে।
📝 20 MCQs on Sociological Perspectives (with Answers)
1. Which perspective views society as a system of interrelated parts?
a) Conflict
b) Symbolic Interactionist
c) Functionalist
d) Evolutionary
Ans: c) Functionalist
2. Who is considered the founder of Functionalism?
a) Karl Marx
b) Emile Durkheim
c) Max Weber
d) Auguste Comte
Ans: b) Emile Durkheim
3. Which perspective focuses on inequality and power struggle?
a) Functionalist
b) Conflict
c) Interactionist
d) Positivist
Ans: b) Conflict
4. Conflict theory is primarily associated with:
a) Max Weber
b) Karl Marx
c) Talcott Parsons
d) Auguste Comte
Ans: b) Karl Marx
5. Which perspective studies everyday interaction and symbols?
a) Functionalist
b) Conflict
c) Symbolic Interactionist
d) Structuralist
Ans: c) Symbolic Interactionist
6. Who introduced the term “Symbolic Interactionism”?
a) Herbert Spencer
b) Herbert Blumer
c) George Mead
d) Talcott Parsons
Ans: b) Herbert Blumer
7. Which perspective emphasizes social order and stability?
a) Conflict
b) Functionalist
c) Feminist
d) Critical
Ans: b) Functionalist
8. Functionalists believe society tends toward:
a) Conflict
b) Equilibrium
c) Revolution
d) Exploitation
Ans: b) Equilibrium
9. Which perspective highlights class struggle?
a) Functionalist
b) Conflict
c) Interactionist
d) Evolutionary
Ans: b) Conflict
10. George Herbert Mead is associated with:
a) Functionalism
b) Conflict Theory
c) Symbolic Interactionism
d) Structuralism
Ans: c) Symbolic Interactionism
11. Which perspective analyzes macro-level structures?
a) Symbolic Interactionism
b) Conflict
c) Functionalist
d) Both b & c
Ans: d) Both b & c
12. Which perspective studies micro-level interactions?
a) Functionalist
b) Conflict
c) Symbolic Interactionist
d) Evolutionary
Ans: c) Symbolic Interactionist
13. Which perspective sees society as composed of competing groups?
a) Functionalist
b) Conflict
c) Interactionist
d) Positivist
Ans: b) Conflict
14. Talcott Parsons contributed to which theory?
a) Conflict
b) Functionalism
c) Symbolic Interactionism
d) Feminism
Ans: b) Functionalism
15. “Social Facts” were emphasized by:
a) Marx
b) Weber
c) Durkheim
d) Mead
Ans: c) Durkheim
16. Which perspective highlights meanings people attach to actions?
a) Conflict
b) Functionalist
c) Symbolic Interactionist
d) Evolutionary
Ans: c) Symbolic Interactionist
17. Which perspective is criticized for ignoring inequality?
a) Functionalist
b) Conflict
c) Interactionist
d) Feminist
Ans: a) Functionalist
18. Which perspective is criticized for focusing too much on inequality?
a) Functionalist
b) Conflict
c) Interactionist
d) Evolutionary
Ans: b) Conflict
19. Which theory best explains rituals, norms, and institutions maintaining society?
a) Conflict
b) Functionalist
c) Interactionist
d) Feminist
Ans: b) Functionalist
20. The feminist perspective is often linked with which broader theory?
a) Functionalist
b) Conflict
c) Interactionist
d) Positivist
Ans: b) Conflict
Reviewed by শ্রী শ্রী সত্যনারায়ণ নমঃ(SriSriramthakur O gan Ganer vhovon Youtube channel)
on
August 21, 2025
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