9:1:22 4007.docx - 9/1/22 4007 Before the 19th century ...

9/1/22 4007
- Before the 19 th century, western theories of change saw people as incapable
- Karl Marx was the first theorist to break from traditional theories of social change
o Collective action- joint effort if individuals and groups in a community or
organization to achieve a specific purpose, combination of rational group interest
o Class consciousness
- Acknowledging that the “mass society” does indeed have power, collectively
Emile Durkheim focused on the effects of social conditions and structures on individual and
collective behavior
- The cohesion of communities is in a constant struggle which produces collective action
o Routine conflict- reinforcing shared beliefs on a regular basis (elections)
- Structural functionalism applied to SW
o Emphasizes social stability adaptation to environmental change, reduction of
social tensions, socialization of community members patterned social roles
o Focuses on consensus-oriented models of practice and pluralist models’ policy
change
- Conflict perspective
o Encompasses multiple theories that examine hoe some groups benefit from
prevailing social arrangements
 These social arrangements perpetuate inequalities, social divisions, and