Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology. Explain what theoretical perspectives are. Name and explain the three major sociological theoretical perspectives and give examples.

Sociology is the scientific study of society and human behavior. Webster's Dictionary defines a perspective as a "view of things in their true relationship or importance". Therefore, the sociological perspective provides viewpoints used to look at human behaviors and interactions as they relate to individuals and groups within a society. The sociological perspective stresses that to understand humans, not what is inside of them, but instead the external factors influencing them, should be observed. There …

…a certain society and would also analyze the function of symbols used to interact and communicate in that society; whereas symbolic interactionists would try to determine how the individuals of a certain society interpret their environment or what effect others have on the development of an individuals self image; and conflict theorists would look at power differences between various groups of a society, where they come from and what effect they have on that society.