Social Structure, Stratification and Social Processes in Society | Class 11 Sociology Notes

TWO WAYS OF UNDERSTANDING SOCIAL PROCESSES IN SOCIOLOGY

This section contrasts common sense knowledge with the sociological perspective. Common sense is often unexamined and taken for granted, whereas sociology questions everything and refuses to accept explanations as given. For example, explaining cooperation or competition as simply 'human nature' is insufficient. Sociology seeks to explain these social processes in terms of the actual social structure.

The section invites students to think of examples of cooperation, competition, and conflict in everyday life (Activity 3).

Two major sociological perspectives are introduced: the functionalist perspective (associated with Emile Durkheim) and the conflict perspective (associated with Karl Marx). Both agree that humans must cooperate to meet basic needs and reproduce society, but they differ in their understanding of how cooperation and conflict coexist.

The conflict perspective emphasizes historical changes in cooperation, noting that in simple societies without surplus, cooperation existed without class divisions. However, in societies with surplus (feudal or capitalist), dominant classes appropriate surplus, making cooperation intertwined with conflict and competition. For example, factory owners and workers cooperate in production but have conflicting interests.

The conflict view highlights how dominant groups sustain inequalities through cultural norms and coercion.

The functionalist perspective focuses on the system requirements of society, such as socialization, communication, and role assignment. It sees cooperation, competition, and conflict as universal features that help maintain social order. Conflicts tend to be resolved and may contribute positively to society.

The section notes the complexity of the relationship between cooperation, competition, and conflict, and how norms and socialization often ensure the persistence of social order, even if skewed in favor of dominant groups.

📊 Diagram: See figure_4, figure_5, figure_6, figure_7: Different types of social processes

🧪 Activity: Activity 3: Think of examples of cooperation, competition, and conflict in everyday life.

🔗 Connection: Prepares for detailed discussion on cooperation and division of labour.