Test Questions

ANSWERS

a . Structural-functionalism theory

- views the society as a structure with component parts that have specific functions . The basic assumption of this theory is that , the components of the society should work communally to sustain the society 's stability or balance

The cost of the ongoing economic recession is that it plunges the society to a certain degree of instability in its structure . The instability is basically caused by high industrial inventory but poor product demand . This downturn has caused industrial losses that resulted to workers ' lay off as companies

can not support the salaries of the employees . There would be no apparent benefits of such action as both employer and employee are affected but this sacrifice could be considered as necessary in to prevent further socio-economic collapse in a greater scale

b . Conflict theory

- The theory states that the society functions so that its components (social classes ) struggle to acquire as much possessions and benefits which eventually cause or contribute to social change . There are four assumptions of the modern conflict theory , these are

competition . Competition over limited resources is the basic focus of human interrelationship (rather than consensus

structural inequality . Inequality or disparity in position and remuneration are integral components of social structures . Each class struggles to get as much possessions (wealth and property ) as they can and maintain or prevent the loss of such possessions

Revolution . Revolution is a result of struggle for change by the competing social classes . Change is often hasty and revolutionary and it is not within the context of evolutionary adaptation

War . War is considered a binding agent of all the social groups and classes , as well as it can cause the collapse of the entire society

The cost of the current economic downturn is the greater rifts it creates between the social classes as manifested by the increasing rate of unemployment . The upper class components , which are the employers and owners of industries , struggle to keep their companies alive so that they could maintain their wealth and position in the society , but this is however at the expense of the workers as they face getting laid off from their works . As a conflict theorist , such condition , however , would be favorable (beneficial ) for setting changes in the society . As the workers become more aware of their vulnerability they tend to be more competitive , because , obviously , those who are better skilled are often the last to be laid off or to be left in the companies as they are more valuable to the owners . The situation would also be an opportunity for worker 's to channel their disenchantment to authorities (upper class expressed through unified mass actions

c . Symbolic Interaction theory

- states that all communication is symbolic and based upon interaction and meaning (Symbolic Interaction , n .d

The theory consists of three core principles , these are

Meaning . Human actions to people and things are in relation to the meanings that are given to those people or things . Symbolic Interactionism holds...