Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
Major Sociological Theories
The three sociological theories to be compared are the symbolic interactionist theory, functionalism theory and the conflict theory. The symbolic interactionist or simply the interactionist theory relies on the perspective that individuals develop a meaning to the actions done and determine the goodness or badness of the matter (Andersen & Taylor, 2008). The symbolic significance comes as a result of social interaction, and the meaning will be understood when one interacts with the social level making up the team. A good example is the reasons for abusing drugs among the youths and how the age group takes the act.
The functionalism theory originated from the major works of Emile Durkheim. The approach perceives that the society is organized in such a way that there is stability (Dillon, 2010). The society security relies on the social order. Weak social order leads to the instability. The society is made up of institution plays a role in ensuring the stability of that particular society. The conflict theory supports how the coercion and power plays a great role in enhancing social order (Andersen & Taylor, 2008). According to Karl Marx, a proponent of the theory, society is made up various groups competing for the political, social and economic power. The people in consensus, are the ones that form these groups and must be in opposition to another group.
As an individual, I identify with the functionalists theory. I believe that each in the society has a role to play to make the society stable. The theory helps me to work hard in identifying my personal purpose towards making the society stable. In the process, I stimulate the people around me to find their role. That way, we are not individuals who are merely adding to the population without serving a purpose that will benefit the society.
References
Andersen, M. L., & Taylor, H. F. (2008). Sociology: Understanding a diverse society. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.
Dillon, M. (2010). Introduction to sociological theory: The Theorists, concepts, and their applicability to the twenty-first century. Chichester, U.K: Wiley-Blackwell.