[Slide 1: Title Slide]

"Three Major Perspectives in Sociology"

Hello, everyone! Today, we’re going to discuss the three major perspectives in sociology that
help us understand human behavior and society. These are the Symbolic Interactionist,
Functionalist, and Conflict perspectives. Each one looks at society and social behavior in a
different way.

[Slide 2: Introduction]
Sociologists study how people interact and how society works. To do this, they use different
perspectives or ways of thinking. These perspectives help sociologists ask questions and make
sense of things like how we communicate, how society stays organized, and how power affects
different groups of people.

[Slide 3: Symbolic Interactionism]

Let’s start with the Symbolic Interactionist Perspective. This theory is all about understanding
how people interact with each other using symbols. A symbol could be anything that represents
something else, like words, signs, or even gestures.

For example, when we talk about marriage, symbols like wedding rings, vows, or the wedding
ceremony itself all have meanings attached to them. But different people may interpret these
symbols in different ways. One person might view their wedding ring as a symbol of love and
commitment, while another might see it as just an expensive item.

Here are some examples of symbolic interactionism in the Philippines:

1. The use of "mano" (a traditional Filipino gesture of respect): The act of "mano" is a
significant cultural symbol in Filipino society, particularly among the elderly. The gesture
involves taking the hand of an elder and pressing it to one's forehead as a sign of
respect. The meaning of this gesture may vary slightly between families or regions, but
the act itself is universally recognized in Filipino culture. Through this interaction, people
express respect, honor, and filial piety—values central to Filipino identity.
2. Social Media Influences: With the rise of social media in the Philippines, the meanings
attached to symbols such as "likes," "shares," and "followers" shape how individuals
present themselves and interact online. These digital symbols influence self-esteem,
social status, and how individuals perceive their relationships with others. People attach
meanings to the number of followers they have or the type of content they post, which
can reflect or even redefine social norms and expectations within Filipino culture.

This perspective focuses on small, everyday interactions and how individuals interpret and
respond to these symbols. However, some critics say this approach focuses too much on
individual interactions and misses the bigger social structures that also shape behavior.
[Slide 4: Functionalism]

Next, we have the Functionalist Perspective. This perspective sees society as a system
where different parts work together to maintain balance and order. Durkheim says that we need
to feel social solidarity, a feeling of belonging and a shared identity. People need to feel they
have a place in society or this leads to anomie, a sense of normlessness or uncertainty how to
behave.

For example, think of the family, education system, and government. Each part plays a role in
helping society function smoothly.

The functionalist perspective also emphasizes social consensus—this means that people in
society agree on values and norms. For instance, in a stable society, everyone agrees that
education is important, and we all play a role in supporting it.

Emile Durkheim, a key figure in this perspective, explained that societies can either have
mechanical solidarity (where everyone shares the same values, often in traditional societies)
or organic solidarity (where people are interdependent, which happens in more complex,
industrial societies).

In the Philippine context, mechanical solidarity can be seen in rural or traditional communities,
where people share similar values, beliefs, and lifestyles, and work in similar occupations. A
good example would be a barangay (village) in a rural area where most people are engaged in
farming or fishing.

Organic solidarity in the Philippine context can be seen in more urbanized, industrialized, and
diverse areas where people engage in different occupations and hold varied beliefs, yet are
interdependent and work together for the functioning of society. A good example of organic
solidarity in the Philippines would be Metro Manila, particularly in large cities like Quezon City
or Makati.

Manifest functions refer to the intended, obvious, and planned outcomes or purposes of a
social action or institution. In the Philippine context, here are some examples of manifest
functions:

1. Education System:
o Manifest Function: The main purpose of the Philippine education system is to
provide students with knowledge and skills to prepare them for future careers,
contributing to their personal development and national growth. Schools are
intended to educate children, helping them understand various subjects like
math, science, and languages.
o Example: Public and private schools are established to facilitate learning,
improve literacy rates, and equip students with the competencies they need to
join the workforce.

Latent functions refer to the unintended, hidden, or less obvious outcomes of a social action or
institution. In the Philippine context, here are some examples of latent functions:

1. Education System:
o Latent Function: While the primary function of the education system is to
provide knowledge, a latent function could be the development of social networks
and class distinctions among students. The educational system may
unintentionally reinforce social stratification by providing better resources and
opportunities in private schools compared to public schools, leading to
inequalities in future economic opportunities.
o Example: Students who attend elite private universities may form lifelong
networks that help them secure high-paying jobs, while those in public schools
may not have the same access to influential connections.

Financial Recessions: During economic downturns, many families in the Philippines face
unemployment or reduced income. To adapt, households might cut back on non-essential
spending, explore alternative income sources like micro-entrepreneurship (e.g., selling food or
goods online), or rely on extended family networks for support.

Pandemics (e.g., COVID-19): The pandemic disrupted daily life, causing widespread
unemployment and shifts in behavior. However, society adapted in various ways:

 Education: Schools transitioned to online learning, which encouraged both teachers and
students to adopt digital platforms and technologies.

However, critics argue that functionalism ignores issues like inequality and social problems.
They believe it doesn’t fully address how social structures can sometimes harm people, like
when there’s unfair treatment based on race or gender.

[Slide 5: Conflict Theory]

Finally, we have the Conflict Perspective. This theory looks at the struggles between different
groups in society. It focuses on the idea that some groups have more power and resources than
others, and they use this power to maintain their position.
He claimed that all societies developed into class divisions with the powerful exploiting the poor.
He called modern day societies capitalist based on the ruling by those who have capital (money,
buildings, factories) who use this to make themselves richer and more powerful. He called these
the bourgeoisie. Marx claimed this exploited the working classes, who Marx termed the
proletariat, formed of the majority of the people.

For example, In the Philippines, conflict theory is evident in the struggles between small-scale
farmers and large agribusinesses or landowners. Farmers often face land insecurity, low wages,
and lack of government support, while wealthier entities benefit from policies that favor industrial
agriculture. This power imbalance leads to protests, advocacy for agrarian reform, and conflicts
over land ownership, reflecting the broader struggle between the marginalized and the elite.

This perspective was largely influenced by Karl Marx, who focused on class conflict between the
bourgeoisie (the wealthy) and the proletariat (the working class). Today, conflict theorists look at
inequalities not just in terms of class, but also in terms of race, gender, and other factors.

Some critics say that conflict theory focuses too much on problems and struggles, without
recognizing the positive aspects of social order or cooperation.

[Slide 6: Conclusion]

In conclusion, these three perspectives—Symbolic Interactionism, Functionalism, and

Conflict Theory—help us understand different aspects of society. Each perspective brings
something important to the table: Symbolic Interactionism looks at how we communicate
through symbols, Functionalism studies how society works together, and Conflict Theory
examines power struggles and inequality.

Thank you for your attention, and I’m happy to take any questions you may have!