Strengths And Weaknesses Of Functionalist And Conflict Theory Sociology Essay

Strengths And Weaknesses Of Functionalist And Conflict Theory Sociology examineSocial and cultural theories argon often use when studying and applying experience to loosenesss. The theories in rules of order often provide a frame institute for inquire research questions, interpreting information and macrocosm satisfactory to unc everyplace the deeper meanings and stories that atomic number 18 associated with shoot a lines, they to a fault alter citizens in the high caller to become more communicate so that we heap apply what we project learned from the research and being able to apply it in the world that we live in. Theories alike enable people to see things in new angles and perspectives and give us the cogency to make informed decisions ab knocked out(p) shimmers and how sports participation hatful be used in our lives, communities, families and societies. The six main theories used in sport take hold m all points and post overlap with each former(a) but bes ides two be going to be discussed in this study. The two theories chosen to comp ar ar functionalist guess and counterpoint surmise.Functionalist theory is a macro sociological theory that is base on the characteristics of societal patterns, structures, social carcasss and institutions much(prenominal) as family, education, religion, lei indisputable, the economy, media, politics and sport. If all these social institutions are organized and co-operate with maven another around a set of core set functionalist theorists put one over that the entire social system will function properly and efficiently. edict in functionalism has a view that it is an organized system of interrelated split that are held together by shared values and established social arrangements that garter maintain the system in being in a state of equilibrium and balance. When sociologists use functionalist theory they split it into two parts, the offset printing concept of interdependent parts is all of the social institutions (media, religion, sports, politics and frugals) and how they are linked together.In the tradition of Talcott Parsons and his conception of functional imperatives (goal attainment, adaptation, latency and integration) functionalists make do that thither are four basic system needs for some(prenominal) auberge in sports (team, clubs etc) to run smoothly and that everyone will benefit. The four principles areAdaptation In order to survive in a indian lodge it is essential that members learn to adapt to changes in the social structure and culture. slightly other important chemical element to survival is the emphasis on being physically fit as it is required for most sports.Goal Attainment This is the need of individuals to achieve societys goals finished socially accepted means. Sport is preoccupied with tracking the success and failures of its participants however it also teaches participants that if they work hard enough it will lead to vict ory meaning success.Integration Sport promotes social connections mingled with people and gives them the opportunity to co-operate with each other in a throng and a community. It also provides a feeling of social identification as well as a source of personal identity. The society mustiness(prenominal) keep itself together.Latency (pattern maintenance and tension man eonment) Each system must maintain itself in a possible state of equilibrium for as long as it can without any outside disruptive influences. many another(prenominal) forms of pattern maintenance are provided by sport primarily through participation where the participants are taught to accept an authority structure that is well delimitate for example athletes knowing that referees require the authority over them to make sure they stick to the rules of the sport.Functionalist theory in sport generally leads to the conclusion that it is touristed in society because it can maintain the values of character that he lp to preserve stability and order in social life. Functionalist theory also supports sporting policies that help and recommend the rebelth of competitive sport programmes, growing coaching education programmes, in the case of youth sport there is an establishment on criminal bureau checks and qualification checks on coaches beforehand working with younger children. The theory also supports the establishment of training centres for elect athletes so they can maintain their top-level performance and making sure to have a bun in the oven increased surveillance and drug testing so they are able to supervise and control the actions of athletes by preventing those taking drugs so they cant fishing rig their way to attaining a better sporting performance. People in society who have positions of power tend to favour functionalist theory as it is ground on the assumption that society is organised for benefiting the people in that society of equating and that in any dramatic way it s hould not be changed. While functionalist theory is a popular start out it does have some failinges.The weaknesses of functionalist theory is that it tends to lead to exaggerated accounts of positive consequences of sports and sports participation however it mistakenly assumes that there are no conflicts of interests between the different citizen groups in society such as women, people with disabilities, racial groups and people who are scotchly poor in society yet it doesnt recognise that sport can privilege or disadvantage people more than others. The theory also push asides the powerful historical and sparing factors that have influenced social events and social relationships.Functionalist theory is centered on the idea that there is a consensus in the values and norms of society and that social institutions found within a society are integrated and function together. In contrast conflict theory looks at the role of power and the inequality found throughout society and how s port is shaped by these economic forces and used by people with economical power to increase their influence and wealth. Conflict theory is based on the ideas of Karl Marx (1818 1883) which rose to importance during the 1970s because of the growing disenchantment with functionalist theory. This theory of Karl Marx views sports as being built on the foundations of economic power. In societys that are laissez-faire(prenominal) you see that relationships and social arrangements are organised around wealth, money and economic power for example in the United States its easy to point out the owners of the sport teams as they are benefiting financially from the expense of elite athletes, the coaches that work alongside the athletes and the spectators who watch the sport.Like functionalist theory conflict theory is based on the assumption that society is like a social system however conflict theory focussinges on the needs of capital quite than the general system needs. Theorists of con flict theory explain that a society which is capitalist will not be able to survive and grow without exploiting any workers for the sake of boosting financial profits they also suggest that if native changes are to be concluded in sport and society by prevailing justice and fairness they need to identify the negative consequences that sport has. Once these changes are made sport will become a source of creative energy, expression and physical well-being. People who live in capitalist economies are generally not comfortable with the assumptions and conclusions of conflict theory because they say it has a negative effect and does not fit into their ideas about society and sport as they feel uneasy with the conclusions of calling for revolutionary change in the current organisation and structure that they already have. such(prenominal) of conflict theory is directed at sports which are dominated by spectators. Conflict theorists if they had the choice they would increase the control that athletes and other sporting participants have to promote sport at local community level so that it benefits all classes of people rather than just all elite athletes. intend the working class would have more influence of sport than the comfortable class giving them more motivation for participation and eliminating profits. Many conflict theorists favour players unions that confront pro-team owners and are supporting organisations that help to guard against earth tax money being used to benefit wealthy people. ideally any public resources would be used to help aid sponsoring sports that are designed to improve physical fitness, political awareness and include placing the element of fun into activities. Conflict theorists (Leonard 1980 Rigauer2004) would also campaign for athletes at all levels to have representation with making decisions about sport in organisations so Olympians would be able to vote on policy questions that concerned the staging of the prodigious Games.Conf lict theory also has three major weaknesses. The first weakness is that the theory tends to ignore the possibility that sport in capitalist societies can and may involve experiences that give individuals and groups power. Conflict theorists talk about how sport is organised to maximise the control that wealthy people have over other members in a capitalist society. The conflict theory approach doesnt acknowledge that sport can take many forms of serving interests in the have-not society and denies that any participation in sport can be a personal creative and liberating experience that will chirk up members of society to make economic changes that will help to promote equality in exiting capitalist societies. Secondly conflict theory ignores the importance of race, ethnicity, gender, disability, age and many other factors when it comes to explaining how people want to identify themselves, how they relate to other members in the society and how they organise the social world in whic h they live. practically its leading people to overlook the possibility that inequalities and power in any society are based on factors other than economic and social class differences. Thirdly the theory assumes that all aspects of social life are determined economically and is shaped by the needs of having capital in society and profit motive. Theorists of conflict theory focus on the assumptions that of economic factors when studying sport however they tend to overlook participation and amateurish port for healthy living.Functionalist theory and conflict theory both focus on the needs of society and how sport can relate to the rapture of the system needs. The theories dont inform us about sport in perfunctory life and the ways in which people are active agents who are participating in the processes of sports and societies that are organised and changed. They both also ignore that sport and social constructions emerge in peoples everyday life when they cope to decide what is important and how they are going to collect organisation in their lives.