Theories Explained
By: Gillian Webber

"Functionalism sees social structure or the organisation of society as more important than the individual."

Durkheim's Social Action Theory

This theory views social change as deviance and disruptive to the process of society as a whole, connected group

This theory is resistant to change, and would view poverty,
as a functional part of society by creating a group of people
that will always need work- despite the issues it causes

Marx's Theory of Social Change

Marx viewed society in material terms of the modes of
production. At a macro level, fitting all parts of society
together as institutional

Social change is a system of integration, as society
grows and changes the way society works and what
it accepts or normalizes

Integration refers primarily to the ‘adjustment of conflict’. It is concerned with the coordination and mutual adjustment of the parts of the social system

Opposing powers or groups are in conflict
until the more dominant one overpowers
the rest

Conflict theory sees social life as a competition,
and focuses on the distribution of resources,
power, and inequality.

This theory supports social change as conflict
serves as a constant state in society to highlight
inequality and redistribute resources.

Examines the nature of gender inequality,
concerning the equality and equity
between the sexes.

This theory focuses on periods of gender
inequality specifically women's suffrage.
Encouraging for periods of conflict regarding
gender and social change

Feminists tend to support ideas of social
change for improving treatment of people

Aspects of human culture can be
explained in material terms. Acknowledging the interdependence of different institutions in society.

Looking at the modes of production to establish
social division and class stratification. Supports social
change through material aspects that also include factors
of race, wealth, gender, religion- judged through the Superstructure which looks at the values and beliefs of society

This theory looks at the influence of individual experiences, the actions of others, and environmental factors on individual health behaviors.

The social cognitive is fairly neutral on social change as it simply observes the impacts of personal, behavioral, and environmental experiences, and how they affect values, beliefs, and actions.

Explores an individual's view on
themselves and the world around them
to determine an outlook.

Emphasizes on the value of humans, alone and collectively. Supports the human freedom and progress to allow for personal satisfaction and happiness to work towards the collective betterment of society.

Examines the multifaceted lives of people, how
people's realities are formed by various factors as
well as the social dynamics that overlap.

This theory analyzes how different forms of
discrimination overlap (ie, race, gender, religion..)

This theory is highly supportive in the nature of social change and equality among the different social categorizations of class including race, gender, nationality, sexual orientation or disability.