Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
National Capital Region
DIVISION OF CITY SCHOOLS – MANILA
Manila Education Center Arroceros Forest Park
Antonio J. Villegas St. Ermita, Manila

Disciplines and Ideas

in the Social Sciences
Looking at Society through
Social Science Major Theories

Quarter 1- Week 5
Module 5
Most Essential Learning Competency:
Analyze the basic concepts and principles of the major
Social Science theories: Structural-functionalism, Marxism,
and Symbolic Interactionism
HOW TO USE THIS MODULE

Before starting the module, I want you to set aside other tasks that will disturb
you while enjoying the lessons. Read the simple instructions below to successfully
enjoy the objectives of this kit. Have fun!

1. Follow carefully all the contents and instructions indicated in every page of
this module.
2. Write on your notebook the concepts about the lessons. Writing enhances
learning, which is important to develop and keep in mind.
3. Perform all the provided activities in the module.
4. Let your facilitator/guardian assess your answers using the answer key card.
5. Analyze conceptually the posttest and apply what you have learned.
6. Enjoy studying!

PARTS OF THE MODULE

• Expectations - These are what you will be able to know after completing the
lessons in the module.
• Pre-test - This will measure your prior knowledge and the concepts to be
mastered throughout the lesson.
• Looking Back to your Lesson - This section will measure what learning and
skills did you understand from the previous lesson.
• Brief Introduction - This section will give you an overview of the lesson.
• Discussion - This section provides a short discussion of the lesson. This
aims to help you discover and understand new concepts and skills.
• Activities - This is a set of activities you will perform with a partner.
• Remember - This section summarizes the concepts and applications of the
lessons.
• Check your understanding - It will verify how you learned from the lesson.
• Post-test - This will measure how much you have learned from the entire
module.

1
EXPECTATIONS
You will analyze the basic concepts and principles of the major Social
Science theories: Structural-functionalism, Marxism, and Symbolic
Interactionism.
Specifically, this module will help you to:
• understand the concepts and principles of Structural-functionalism, Marxism,
and Symbolic Interactionism;
• determine the manifest and latent functions as well as dysfunctions of social
structure;
• analyze social inequalities in terms of class conflict; and
• appraise the meaning that people attach to everyday forms of interaction in
order to explain social behavior

Let us start your journey in learning more on the Major Social

Science Theories. I am sure you are ready and excited to
answer the Pretest. Smile and cheer up!

PRETEST
Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer and write it on a separate sheet of
paper.

1. Which is TRUE about theory?

a. based on pre-existing facts c. exclusively sociological
b. can be tested to research d. issue driven
2. Sociological research usually focuses on ________.
a. globalization c. minority groups
b. immigration d. suicide
3. The following are the major Social Science theories EXCEPT one:
a. Marxism c. Structural-functionalism
b. Psychoanalysis d. Symbolic Interactionism
4. Which sociological theory accentuates the interconnectedness of component
parts of society?
a. Feminism c. Structural Functionalism
b. Staples d. Symbolic Interactionism
5. Marxism is frequently reprimanded for neglecting to represent __________.
a. consensus c. minority rights
b. latent functions d. the rights of workers

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LOOKING BACK TO YOUR LESSON
Great, you finished answering the questions. You may request your
facilitator to check your work. Congratulations and keep on learning!

Social Science Disciplines Table

On the previous lesson, you studied about the introduction and historical
context of the emergence of Social Science disciplines. To test the knowledge you
gained from the lesson, I want you to do the activity below.

Directions: Write a short definition of the following disciplines and provide one
major event on its history. Use separate sheet of paper for this activity.

Social Science Definition One Major Event on

Discipline its History
Psychology

Sociology
Political Science
Economics
Geography
Anthropology

BRIEF INTRODUCTION
The major Social Science theories provides different point of view in looking
into the social world. People may have his/her own perspective or essential
viewpoint about the world. But, there are existing theories or propositions and
standards intended to respond to a question or clarify a specific phenomenon. The
sociological theories help us to clarify and foresee the social world where we live.

In this lesson, you will understand the concepts and principles of the major
Social Science theories namely: Structural-functionalism, Marxism, and Symbolic
Interactionism. Also, you will determine the manifest and latent functions as well as
dysfunctions of social structure. Analyze social inequalities in terms of class conflict
and appraise the meaning that people attach to everyday forms of interaction in
order to explain social behavior.

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DISCUSSIONS
Lesson
Major Social Science
1 Theories
The macro level of the major social science theories in sociological analysis
includes the Structural-functionalism and Marxism. These two approaches
concerned with the broad aspects of society such as institutions and large social
groups that influence the social world. It looks at the big picture of society and
suggests how social problems are affected at the institutional level. On the other
hand, the Symbolic Interactionism is a micro level of sociological analysis
concerned with the social psychological dynamics of individuals interacting in
small groups.

Sociology offers three major Social Science theories namely, Structural-

functionalism, Marxism, and Symbolic Interactionism. Each perspective offers a
variety of explanations about the social world and human behavior.

STRUCTURAL-FUNCTIONALISM

The structural functionalism depends to a great extent on the works of

Herbert Spencer (1820-1903), Emile Durkheim (1858-1917), Talcott Parsons (1902-
1979), and Robert Merton (1910-2003). Structural-
functionalism sees society as an arrangement of
interconnected parts that are incongruity to keep up a
condition of parity and social equilibrium. Functionalists
use the terms functional and dysfunctional to describe the
effects of social elements on society. Elements of society are
functional if they contribute to social stability and Figure 1: Emile Durkheim

dysfunctional if they disrupt social stability. Some aspects of https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c

ommons/2/23/%C3%89mile_Durkheim.jp
society can be both functional and dysfunctional. For
example, crime is dysfunctional because it is associated with physical violence, loss
of property, and fear. But according to Durkheim and other functionalists, crime is
also functional for society because it leads to heightened awareness of shared
moral bonds and increased social cohesion.

Robert Merton (1968) has identified two types of functions: (1) Manifest
function; and (2) Latent function. The manifest functions are consequences that are
intended and commonly recognized. An example of manifest function in education
is to transmit knowledge and skills to the youth in society. While, latent functions
are consequences that are unintended and often hidden. An example of latent

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function in education is the socialization with peers and adults and conformity to
the norms.

MARXISM

The starting point of the conflict perspective can be

rooted with the great works of Karl Marx (1818–1883). He
proposed that all social orders experience phases of financial
turn of events. As societies evolve from agricultural to
industrial concern over meeting survival needs is replaced
by concern over making a profit, the hallmark of a capitalist
system. Industrialization prompts the improvement of two Figure 2: Karl Marx
from: upload.wikimedia.org / wikipedia/
classes of individuals: (1) the bourgeoisie or proprietors of commons/d/d4/Karl Marx 001.jpg
the methods for creation and (2) the proletariat or laborers who triumph for
compensation. The division of society into two expansive classes of individuals the
"haves" and the "havenots" is valuable to the proprietors of the methods for
creation. The laborers, who may gain just means compensation, are denied access
to the numerous assets accessible to the rich proprietors. As indicated by Marx, the
bourgeoisie utilize their capacity to control the establishments of society for their
potential benefit. For instance, Marx recommended that religion fills in as a
"sedative of the majority" in that it calms the pain and enduring related with the
average workers way of life and spotlights the laborers' consideration on other
worldliness, God, and existence in the wake of death instead of on such common
worries as day to day environments. Basically, religion redirects the laborers with
the goal that they focus on being compensated in paradise for carrying on with an
ethical life instead of on scrutinizing their misuse.

The conflict perspective sees society as made out of various gatherings and
enthusiasm seeking force and assets. The conflict perspective clarifies different
parts of our social world by seeing which gatherings have force and advantage from
a specific social game plan. Max Weber (1864-1920) added that there were also
inequalities of social structure and political power that caused struggle. He noted
that various groups were treated differently based on race, educational, and
gender. Relative to this is the normative feminist view society as a male centric
culture—a various levelled arrangement of association constrained by men. In spite
of the fact that there are numerous assortments of women's activist hypothesis,
most would hold that feminism “demands that existing economic, political, and
social structures be changed” (Weir and Faulkner 2004, p.xii).

SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM

Symbolic interactionism mirrors the miniaturized scale sociological

viewpoint, and was to a great extent affected by the works of early sociologists and
scholars such as George Simmel (1858-1918), Charles Cooley (1864-1929), George
Herbert Mead (1863-1931), and Erving Goffman (1922-1982). Symbolic
Interactionism is a theory that centered to human communication both verbal and

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non-verbal and to images, symbols significance through language and the manner
of individual understanding.

The symbolic interactionism focuses on

the study of human interaction in which people
make sense of their social world through
exchange of language and symbols. The
establish meanings come from human
interactions with others and the society. These
definitions develop their views in life and use it
to communicate with each other.
Communicating with one another makes society Figure 3: Symbolic Interactionism Diagram
from: google images

goes on and continues.

Sociologist W.I. Thomas (1966) highlighted the significance of definitions and

implications in social conduct and its outcomes. He recommended that humans
react to their meaning of a circumstance as opposed to the objective circumstance
itself. Subsequently Thomas noticed that circumstances that we characterize as
genuine becomes genuine in their outcomes. Representative interactionism
additionally proposes that our personality or feeling of self is formed by social
cooperation. We build up our self-idea by seeing how others collaborate with us
and mark us. By seeing how others see us, we see a reflection ourselves that Cooley
calls the "mirror self."

ACTIVITIES

Activity 1.1. Data Retrieval Chart

Objective: Understand the concepts and principles of the major Social Science
theories.
Directions:
1. Complete the data retrieval chart below.
2. Use a separate sheet of paper for this activity.
Concepts and Principles

Structural- Marxism Symbolic

Functionalism Interactionism

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Activity 1.2. Social Functions
Objective: Determine the manifest and latent function as well as dysfunctions of
social structure.
Directions:
1. Give situational examples of the following social structure.
2. Use a separate sheet of paper for this activity

Social Structure
Social Institutions Manifest Function Latent Function Dysfunction

Situational Examples
1. Family

2. Religion

3. Community

4. Law

5. Economy

Activity 1.3. Poster Making

Objective: Analyze social inequalities in terms of class conflict
Directions:
1. Use your creativity by drawing a poster reflecting social inequalities in
our society because of class conflict.
2. Write short analysis of your work in a separate sheet.
3. Use coupon bond and any available coloring materials in this activity.

Rubrics

Criteria Highest Possible Points

Creativity (artistry) 20 pts.
Content (relevance to the topic)) 15 pts.
Originality (uniqueness, own work) 15 pts.
Timeliness (submitted on time) 10 pts.
Total 60

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CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
ACROSTIC POEM

Evaluate the meaning that people attach to everyday forms of interaction, in

order to explain social behavior in our society using word acrostic poem.

Directions:
1. Using the word “SOCIETY”, create an acrostic poem that tackles symbols,
gestures that we used in human interactions.
2. Use separate sheet of paper for this activity.

S
O
C
I
E
T
Y

Rubrics

Criteria Highest Possible Points

Creativity (artistry) 20 pts.
Content (relevance to the topic)) 15 pts.
Originality (uniqueness, own work) 15 pts.
Timeliness (submitted on time) 10 pts.
Total 60

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REMEMBER

• Structural functionalism perspective emphasizes the interconnectedness of

society by focusing on how each part influences by other parts. According to
functionalist, society is a system of interconnected parts that work together
in harmony to maintain a state of balance and social equilibrium for the
whole.
• The two types of functions: manifest and latent functions (Merton 1968).
Manifest functions are consequences that are intended and commonly
recognized. Latent functions are consequences that are unintended and
often hidden.
• Functionalists use the terms functional and dysfunctional to describe the
effects of social elements in society. It is functional if it contributes to social
stability and dysfunctional if it disrupts social stability.
• Marxism is the conflict perspective views society as composed of different
groups and interest competing for power and resources. The conflict
perspective explains various aspects of our social world by looking at which
groups have power and benefit from a particular social arrangement.
• Karl Marx (1818–1883) the proponent of conflict perspective suggested that all
societies go through stages of economic development. As societies evolve
from agricultural to industrial, concern over meeting survival needs is
replaced by concern over making a profit, the hallmark of a capitalist
system.
• Industrialization leads to the development of two classes of people: (1) the
bourgeoisie or the owners of the means of production and (2) the proletariat
or the workers who earn wages. According to Marx, the bourgeoisie use their
power to control the institutions of society to their advantage.
• Symbolic interactionism emphasizes that human behavior is influenced by
definitions and meanings that are created and maintained through symbolic
interaction with others.
• Symbolic interactionism also suggests that our identity or sense of self is
shaped by social interaction. We develop our self-concept by observing how
others interact with us a label us. By observing how others view us, we see a
reflection ourselves that Cooley calls the “looking glass self.”

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POST TEST
Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer and write it on a separate sheet of
paper.
1. Which of the following theories believes that society is an arrangement of
interconnected parts that cooperate in congruity to keep up a condition of
parity and social harmony for the entirety?
a. Feminism c. Structural-functionalism
b. Marxism d. Symbolic Interactionism
2. ________________ accentuates that human conduct is impacted by definitions
and implications that are made and kept up through symbolic interaction
with others.
a. Feminism c. Structural-functionalism
b. Marxism d. Symbolic Interactionism
3. Which of the following sociologists accepted that the bourgeoisie utilized
their capacity to control the foundations of society to their potential benefit?
a. Emile Durkheim c. Karl Marx
b. George Simmel d. Talcott Parsons
4. The Structural-Functionalism is based on the following premises EXCEPT
one:
a. social structure
b. social conflict in the society
c. function can be small or substantial
d. change is evident within any society
5. How to keep up the balance of the framework in the society?
a. Social instability in the society
b. If the people will work together with one goal for stability
c. If there’s lack of consensus among people in a given society
d. Imbalance among people due to differences in backgrounds

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REFERENCES

Books
Dela Cruz, Arleigh Ross et. al. (2016) Disciplines and Ideas in the Social Sciences.
Quezon, City: Phoenix Publishing House, Inc.

Tatel Jr., Carlos Peña (2016) Disciplines and Ideas in the Social Sciences.
Sampaloc, Manila: Rex Book Store, Inc.

Online Sources
Blumer, H. (1969). Symbolic interactionism: Perspective and method. Englewood
Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall. Retrieved fromhttps://books.google.com.ph/books/
about/Symbolic_Interactionism.html?id=HVuognZFofoC&redir_esc=y

Coleman, J. S. (1990). Foundations of social theory. Cambridge, MA: Harvard

University Press; Homans, G. (1961). Social behavior: Its elementary forms.
Orlando, FL: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich. Retrieved from https://www.hup.
harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674312265

Collins, R. (1994). Four sociological traditions. New York, NY: Oxford University
Press. Retrieved from https://global.oup.com/ushe/.../four-sociological-
traditions-9780195082081

Durkheim, É. (1952). Suicide. New York, NY: Free Press. (Original work published
1897). scholar.google.com/citations?user=ZCgFBIMAAAAJ&hl=en

Golding, W. (1954). Lord of the flies. London, England: Coward-McCann.

https://socialsci.libretexts.org/.../1.03%3A_Theoretical_Perspectives_in_
Sociology

Lowenstein, G. (1996). Out of control: Visceral influences on

behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 65, 272–
292. https://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/gl20/.../Papers_files/.../
Outofcontrol.pdf

Marx, K. 1906. Capital. New York, NY: Random House. (Original workpublished
1867) https://socialsci.libretexts.org/.../1.03%3A_Theoretical_
Perspectives_in_ Sociology

Marx, K., & Engels, F. (1962). The communist manifesto. In Marx and Engels:
Selected works (pp. 21–65). Moscow, Russia: Foreign Language Publishing
House. (Original work published 1848).

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Smith, A. (1910). The wealth of nations. London, England: J. M. Dent & Sons; New
York, NY: E. P. Dutton. (Original work published 1776). Retrieved from
https://www.worldcat.org/title/wealth-of-nations/oclc/5139906

Tong, R. (2009). Feminist thought: A more comprehensive introduction. Boulder,

CO: Westview Press. Retrieved from www.industrialpsychiatry.org/
article.asp?issn=0972-6748;year...

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Acknowledgements

Writer: Renee G. Yap - Teacher III

Editor: Amalia C. Solis - EPS
Reviewers: Ma.Teresa B. Berondo - MT II (Content)
Fernando B. Halili - MT II (Language)
Management Team: Maria Magdalena M. Lim-Schools Division
Superintendent-Manila, Aida H. Rondilla-Chief Education Supervisor
Lucky S. Carpio-EPS and Lady Hannah C. Gillo, Librarian II-LRMS

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REFLECTIVE LEARNING SHEET

Name __________________________________________ Grade and Section ______________

School: ______________________ Date: _____________ Subject Teacher: _______________

Quarter: 1st Module No.: 5 Week No.: 5

MELC: Analyze the basic concepts and principles of the major social science
theories: Structural-functionalism, Marxism, and Symbolic Interactionism
Objectives:
1. Interpret the situation in our society using the basic concepts and
principles of the major Social Science theories
2. Create a journal entry analyzing the situations in our society because of
the COVID-19 pandemic.
Topic: The Major Social Science Theories

Journal Entry

Directions: Create a journal entry on how these Social Sciences theories namely,
Structural Functionalism, Marxism, and Symbolic Interactionism can help us
understand the situations of the people in our society because of the Coronavirus
Disease. Write your journal entry on a separate sheet of paper. You may read news
articles or surf the internet about the crisis that we Filipinos are facing because of the
COVID-19 pandemic.

Criteria for the written output:

Content (in-depth and comprehensive) - 15 points
Organization (Presentation of thought) - 10 points
Conventions (grammar, spelling) - 5 points
Total: 30 points

14
15
Pretest Posttest
1. b 1. c
2. c 2. d
3. b 3. c
4. c 4. b
5. a 5. b
ANSWER KEY