Sociological Perspectives
Sociologists consider a set of assumptions that determine the questions that arise due to the pursuit of reality, and the answers agreed after that. The analysis of the assumptions is done through three sociological perspectives that include functionality, conflict, and symbolic interactions (Mooney, Knox & Schacht, 2014). The functionalist perspective determines the interconnectedness that exists in a society, and the focus is always on the relationship between the parts of society. The definition of the functionalist perspective is done on two main divisions; functional and dysfunctional. Some social parts can be both functional and dysfunctional. For example, crime is part of a society that can be both functional and dysfunctional. On the dysfunctional side, crime is a negative perception of a society since it causes insecurity and leads to loss of property, and in severe cases, loss of lives. However, crime can be viewed as a functional part of the society in that individuals are forced to stay alert concerning their security. The conflict perspective views society as being composed of different groups that compete for power and the resources available in society. The means of production from a society that uses the conflict perspectives view the society as a combination of ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots.’ The last perspective of sociology is the symbolic perspective that deals with the internal composition of the society. The symbolic perspectives deal with micro-sociology, unlike the functionalist and the conflict perspectives that deal with the macro-sociological point of view.
Television
An individual who uses the functionalist perspective may be interested in knowing how television affects the daily lives of individuals. For example, are people who own televisions more informed than their counterparts who do not own televisions?
On the other side, the conflict perspective may be concerned in explaining whether a television increases the creativity of an individual in terms of competing for the resources available in society. The resources could be in terms of business ideas or investment opportunities that may be unveiled by watching television.
War
The use of functionality perspective in war may lead to a question on whether war is helpful in a community that needs winning the dominion over a wealthy region if the outcome will be positive. Also, the same perspective may lead to a question on whether war is necessary when an opportunity for dialogue exists. War may, therefore, be functional or dysfunctional for a given society.
In terms of the conflict perspective, a question arises on whether war leads to a better political position that eventually leads to control over important societal resources.
Colleges and Universities
The establishment of a college or a university could lead to questions based on various perspectives. For example, a functionalist perspective will be aimed at whether a university brings positive or negative contribution to society. An argument can be based on whether the advantages of a college in a society exceed the disadvantages.
On the other hand, an individual with the conflict perspective will be interested in knowing whether a college will improve the society’s ability to exploit the idle resources within and outside the territory.
References
Mooney, L. A., Knox, D., & Schacht, C. (2014). Understanding social problems. Nelson Education.