Conflict theory relates to the competition between social groups

Question One 

Conflict theory relates to the competition between social groups in need of scarce resources. It also encompasses the inequalities that arise due to the competition as it considers it a critical element of social structure. There are four assumptions used to explain social conflict, and they include competition, revolution, structural inequality, and war (Simon, 2016). Revolution occurs when conflict persists between social classes while war may happen when the antagonism between two groups remain unsettled and eventually escalates. 

Karl Marx was an avid supporter of conflict theory whose works focused on the division between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. Marx believed that the rise of the economic, social, and political class in Europe enhanced capitalism, a system that resulted in the oppression of the working class and low-income families (Crossman, 2019). This division resulted from an unequal distribution of resources. Since a few members controlled resources, the majority members would revolt to ensure that there equal distribution of resources. One of the limitations of this theory is that it overlooks the presence of peace and stability in society. Not every change in a society results in revolution or war; at times, changes can be insignificant, and people may not notice them. 

Question Two 

An operational definition of a concept refers to the description of a term in a concrete and measurable manner. Using this approach, sociologists may determine the validity of an idea. In essence, an operational definition is a statement that highlights the procedures that researchers use when measuring a given variable. 

Sociologists need to operationalize a concept since it allows them to break down an abstract idea into an element that can be measured and observed and thereby informing the learning process. For example, when sociologists want to define a rural area, they will examine the physical space and socio-cultural values and practices (Wilkinson, 2019). These two concepts will enable them to understand the elements that make up a rural area. By using an operational definition, sociologists can note a trend and similarities between given features. As a result, they will develop a concise and detailed conclusion of the idea in question. 

Question Three 

The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis provides a significant understanding of the reason people have different worldviews. Arguably, language a person speaks shapes his or her reality. In every language, certain cultural contexts directly affect thought. Before globalization, people from different regions used language to define their reality. The concept of time in Africa, for example, was different from the one that the European used. Given the distinct languages, people had a diverse perception of the universe and the role of the people in society. 

I agree with the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis. In most instances, speakers of a given language perceive color in a manner that reflects the categories described in their language ( Cibelli, Xu, Austerweil, Griffiths, & Regier, 2016 ). The identification of color is one of the aspects of human cognition. Hence, if people speaking a certain native language have a distinct perception of color, then it means they also have a specific worldview. In a past study that aimed at establishing the differences in color memory, researchers noted that English and Berinmo speakers defined colors differently ( Regier & Xu 2017). Such differences can explain the way people perceive the environmental and conceptual features around them. For example, speaking Italian may influence an individual's fashion sense.’ 

Question Four 

Examples of popular culture include music, cyberculture, sports, and television. They have a significant influence on the larger culture. For example, popular music is mostly associated with younger listeners. One can tell the behaviors of young people by listening to the music that they find to be entertaining. A similar scenario can be explained when examining sports; it is an event that attracts people from every social class. Thus, a sociologist can study this group by looking at the way the sports fans dress, cheer their teams, and communicate. 

These popular cultures have significant influence and impact on my life. For instance, the cyberculture informs me about the latest trending issues and in the process, it alters my thinking. If the main topic is cyberbullying, for example, my review will be inclined to the people who are victims and perpetrators of cyberbullying. Apart from cyberculture, music, and sports also influences my perception of certain artists and players. I always update myself on trending music so that I can interact well with my friends. Popular culture influences my identity and affiliation with a given group. 

Question Five 

When Marx was describing the conflict theory, his primary focus was the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. He defined the bourgeoisie as the few elite members who own the means of production in a capitalist system while the proletariat comprises the working class and low-income members (Crossman, 2019). Due to the rise of capitalism, Marx noticed that society is divided into the few minority class and the oppressed majority. The reason for this trend was the unequal distribution of resources. 

Therefore, he described capitalism as a “dictatorship of the bourgeoisie” since it created an unequal social order that allowed the elite and the wealthy members to control the values, expectations, and conditions of a society. According to Marx, capitalism is a system whose decisions are made at the “superstructure” level of a community and then reinforced on the majority through social institutions, political structures, and culture (Crossman, 2019). The outcome of this decision forms the basis for the factors of production. Since the proletariats are never consulted, a capitalist state is considered a “dictatorship of the bourgeoisie.” 

References 

Cibelli, E., Xu, Y., Austerweil, J. L., Griffiths, T. L., & Regier, T. (2016 July 19). The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis and probabilistic inference: Evidence from the domain of color. Public Library of Science One , 11 (7).doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0158725 

Crossman, A. (2019 July 3). Understanding conflict theory. ThoughtCo . Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/conflict-theory-3026622 

Simon, R. M. (2016). The conflict paradigm in sociology and the study of social inequality: Paradox and possibility. Theory in Action , 9 (1).doi:10.3798/tia.1937-0237.16001 

Regier, T., & Xu, Y. (2017). The Sapir‐Whorf hypothesis and inference under uncertainty. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Cognitive Science , 8 (6), e1440.doi:10.1002/wcs.1440 

Wilkinson, K. P. (2019). Community development in rural America: Sociological issues in national policy. Journal of Rural Social Sciences , 3 (1), 10. Retrieved from https://egrove.olemiss.edu/jrss/vol03/iss1/10