Theories in Mass Media - Assignment Example

? Mass Media No: There are three major sociological theories which are made for the betterment of society, that are conflict theory, functionalist theory and interactionism theory. These sociological theories can also apply in social institution as well. In the paper I will discuss the impacts of these sociological theories of mass media on the society in which I will discuss how does each sociological theory apply in the social institutions, what are the similarities and differences in the theories, how does each theory affects the individual who is the part of the institution, how does each theory affect the approach to social change with in the selected institution and with in the sociological institution selected, how does each theory affect the views of society. There are many positive impacts of these sociological theories of mass media on the society and I will discuss these impacts in this paper. Conflict theory and functionalist theory are the major perspectives of social change. Firstly, conflict theory is based on class conflict. Conflict theory was written by Karl Marx. There are three major classes in the society that are upper class, middle class and lower class. All three classes are unequal. . But the Karl Marks defines only two classes in his theory ruling class and the subject class. Ruling class means upper class which has all luxuries, power, status etc. Subject class is a middle class which is a key stone of every society, it consists of working class. Middle class always work hard for improving their status. It is the struggle between these two unequal classes. Unequal classes mean conflict between those who have the means of producing wealth and those who do not have. Class struggle between unequal classes leads to social change (Marx, 1971). Karl Marx said that all changes which emerge in these classes are the result of conflict. It arises from the contradiction inherited in all things and from all processes. All developments like social, economic or human proceeds through the resolution of existing contradiction and the eventual emergence of new contradiction. The other types of conflicts are equally, or in some other instances, more important, including conflict between nations, ethnic groups, religions and economic interest group. (Marx, 1971). Conflict perspective of social change works as a social institution because both classes do struggle, lead class struggle to maintain their power and lowest classes struggle for gaining the income and power but the result is a clash. The outcome of the clash between opposing classes is not a compromise. On the contrary it is a birth of new conflict, one new born of struggle. In this manner, both societies and individuals change. On the contrary functionalist theory is basically based on homeostatic system, that is, assemblage of interrelated elements of society to make an equilibrium state like norms, customs, and traditions. Industries, educational departments, government, family are also the basic elements of society which are interrelated or interdependent. Like government provide education for the children and parents of the children give taxes in return (Wallerstein, 1974). It is the role of the society to fulfill six basic needs that are member replacement, member socialization, production of goods and services, preservation of internal order, provision and maintenance of sense of purpose and protection from external attacks. These needs are in a state of equilibrium with one another and when one changes than other one accommodates. Functionalist perspective also works as social institution because they interlinked the needs of the society. Like the family depends upon the school for the mental growth of their children so that in the future they will get good jobs (cliffsnotes.com, 2012). Interactionism perspective also work as a social institution because through which individual knows how to interact with their teachers, friends, elders and young ones. Through which individual knows how to react in different situations. There are number of social institutions through which people learn values, traditions and scientific knowledge that are government, family, religion, human language universities, hospitals, business corporations and legal systems as well. Conflict perspective is the struggle between two classes, the ruling class and the subject class. Subject class works hard in the society for their growth. In this manner subject class arises and the outcome is a clash between two classes (essayxperts.com, 2011) Conflict perspective applies in the social institutions like in government conflict between two political parties. On the macro level, battle between two countries for maintaining their power as well as to conquer other areas is the best example of conflict perspective. Conflict perspective also applies in educational institutions like competition between two students for getting highest marks is the best example of conflict perspective. Conflict theory also applies in family which is a major social institution of society. Like at every family men are the rulers and women are the subject means traditionally men have the rights to take decisions, they have power. Man never wants to give power and supremacy to women because this is against his nature and this is the reason of conflict between families (Hammond, 2008). Functionalist perspective also applies in social institutions like in educational institutions teachers teach students; in the return they get payment. It also applies in hospitals without the subscription of sub specialist the patient could not go to the specialist for his or her treatment. All these theories easily apply in the social institutions like interactionism perspective apply in family because through interactionism perspective, we learn how to interact elders, younger’s. Interactionism theory also applies in universities like in universities professors interact with their students, colleagues, heads, lower staff etc as well as students interact with their professors, class fellows etc. Interactionism perspective is used to be applied in all social institutions like in hospitals, business corporations and legal systems because in all institutions interaction is a compulsory part (Hammond, 2008). Conflict theory consists of conflict of unequal classes that are ruling class and the subject class, result a clash between these two classes. On the contrary functionalism theory uses biological model to describe the society and said it is the need of the society to inter relate the entire segments of the society for creating equilibrium. In the interactionism theory, it is said communication is the basic need of the society. In the conflict perspective, discussion between two groups consists of threats, promises and agreements. In functionalist theory it is described that society needs stability that is why combining different segments are necessary. In conflict perspective resources are restricted, power is not equally distributed. On the contrary in functionalism perspective all the segments are equal and inter related. These theories have greater impacts on individual who is the part of any institution like impact of conflict theory in education institution is the competition between two students for getting good marks as I have discussed above and impact is that emerging competition sprit in individuals. Functionalist perspective also has a greater impact on any individual like on the individual of family institution; the student of any educational institutions knows his parents are paying for educating him. This increases his sense of responsibility for getting education properly. Interactionism perspective also has a greater impact on the individuals like through interactionism perspective people could know how much communication between two individuals is necessary for the betterment of society. This theory has a very positive impact of the individuals who are working in the hospitals, which interacts the patients on regular basis like interactionism perspective has a very positive impact on doctors, they know how they could console patients and which symbols they have to use for giving them encouragement (Wallerstein, 1974). These sociological theories have drastically changed the views of the society like through conflict perspective people knows they have to struggle and work hard for the society as well as for himself. Views of people towards society have become positively changed. Like the small child knows the meaning of competition, he knows he have to compete with other students for getting good marks. Mass media have greater impact on the views of the people like every banker knows he has to open more accounts as compared to other banker. Conflict perspective arises the competition spirit and struggle spirit that is so good for every society. Functionalist perspective also changes the views of the society now people give importance to every segment of the society like to educational sector, religion, medical treatment, business etc. Interactionism perspective also has changed the views of the society, now people knows communication between groups, students and at every sector could resolve many social problems of society. Conclusion In this I have discussed the impacts of the sociological theories that are the impacts of conflict theory is the enhancement of competition between two groups, like in two classes, between students, between two political groups. In this manner whole society has become socially changed. Functionalist perspective also has very positive impacts like through this perspective people could know that every segment of the society is necessary for each other for creating the balance in the society; in this manner society has become positively changed. Like without the religion the kid could be grown socially stable. He should have some religion as well as he also has his proper family for his mental growth. Interactionism perspective also has positive impacts on the society like after this theory people now know interaction is the compulsory element for enhancement of society. Like at every institution interaction is the basic part for instance as I have discussed above professor should have a good communicator for delivering the lecture properly and student must have a good listen for taking that lecture attentively. In this manner society has become socially changed due to sociological theories of mass media. References Marx, Karl. (1971). Preface to a Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy, Tr. S. W. Ryanzanskaya, edited by M. Dobb. London: Lawrence & Whishart. Skocpol, Theda. 1980. States and Social Revolutions: A Comparative Analysis of France, Russia, and China. New York: Cambridge University Press. Wallerstein, Immanuel M. (1974). The Modern World-System: Capitalist Agriculture and the Origins of the European World-Economy in the Sixteenth Century. New York: Academic Press. (1980). The Modern World-System II: Mercantilism and the Consolidation of the European World-Economy, 1600-1750. New York: Academic Press. www.cliffsnotes.com. (2012). Three Major Perspectives in Sociology. Retrieved on 8/3/2012 from http://www.cliffsnotes.com/study_guide/Three-Major-Perspectives-in-Sociology.topicArticleId-26957,articleId-26837.html. www.essayxperts.com. (2011). Media Impact on Society Analyzed Using Conflict Theory. Retrived on 8/3/2012 from http://www.essayxperts.com/essaymedia-impact-society-analyzed-conflict-theory/. Hammond, Ron, J. (2008). Intro to Sociology: Making Sense of Abstract Theories. Retrieved on 8/3/2012 from http://freebooks.uvu.edu/SOC1010/index.php/03.html. Read More