Social theories play a critical role in providing individuals with multiple perspectives that would allow them to view their social world differently. A perspective refers simply to a way that people can look at the world. By adopting the use of sociological theories, it becomes much easier to explain and predict different aspects associated with the social world as a way of determining future expectations. The three main social perspectives are functionalist perspective, conflict perspective, and symbolic interactionist perspective. When evaluating each of these perspectives, one can take note of the fact that seek to define or describe different aspects reflecting on the social world. The focus of this report is to explore the conflict perspective while connecting it to the book Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People and personal views.
The Conflict Perspective
What is the Conflict Perspective?
The conflict perspective refers to a sociological theory that was suggested by one of the renowned German psychologists, Karl Marx. The theory views the social world from the perspective that there exists a state of perpetual conflict, which can be attributed to an inherent competition for scarce resources. According to Marx, the two main factors that help towards defining social order are domination and power, rather than having to focus on consensus and conformity (Simon, 2016). From this view, it can be argued that the theory builds on the understanding that society is reflective of an inherent competition between the people who rely on the need to achieve power and domination over others. The theory has been of great value towards explaining some of the critical issues affecting the world today, including male dominance and racism, among others.
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From a conflict perspective, individuals that are in a position of wealth and power often seek to find ways allowing them to hold on to it through any means possible. In most cases, the need to hold on to wealth and power results in a situation where the poor and powerless in the society are suppressed and oppressed (Simon, 2016). An excellent example is seen from an existing gender disparity in the world where men seem to build on their domination while suppressing and oppressing the position of the women within the same social context. The central premise that has been brought out through the conflict perspective is that every individual or social group within a specific society will always work towards maximizing their benefits at the expense of others. The premise is reflective of the fact that, indeed, there exists a possibility of conflict as it relates to the competition in society.
Understanding Conflict Theory
An in-depth analysis of the conflict theory helps in explaining some of the phenomena that the world is experiencing today, which include wars and revolutions, poverty, discrimination, and domestic violence, among others. The theory ascribes to the fact that fundamental developments in human history have played a key role in determining democracy and civil rights. The outcome is that this has paved the way for capitalistic attempts that are aimed at controlling the masses as a way of ensuring that the wealthy would achieve a desired social order. Specifically, the theory builds on the understanding that social inequality reflects on the need for specific individuals to maintain their power and control over society while reflecting on conflicts that exist between social groupings.
The fact that there exists an uneven distribution of resources within the society creates an avenue for enhanced competition between individuals; thus, paving the way for possible dominance that is built on suppression and oppression. Feminists have been helped in highlighting the existence of conflict theory through their understanding of patriarchy. Patriarchy refers to a social system within which the men are dominant concerning their roles and positions (Simon, 2016). From a feminist point of view, conflict can be viewed as a gendered outcome where men seem to build on their dominance at the expense of the women within the same social systems. The conflict theory helps towards defining how the competition for superiority or dominance is contributing to the existing disparities that are being witnessed in the society.
Conflict Theory Assumptions
The conflict theory is built upon four major assumptions that are of great value towards trying to understand how the theory can describe different aspects associated with the social world. The first assumption is on competition where conflict theorists believe in the fact that competition remains as a constant and, in some cases, overwhelming factor that defines the interaction between individuals (Omer & Jabeen, 2016). The theory reflects on the fact that the existence of competition can be associated with the scarcity of resources in society. The second assumption related to the conflict theory is a revolution. Conflict theories believe that a change of power arising as a result of the conflict theory is often abrupt and large scale, which is reflective of a revolution. The expectation is that this will help towards creating a change in the power dynamics between the different social groups.
The third assumption that has been brought out clearly in the discussion on conflict theory is structural inequality. Structural inequalities can be seen from the fact that human relationships and social structures are often viewed as being unequal in every perspective (Omer & Jabeen, 2016). The existence of such disparities creates a situation where some people are much more likely to develop more power and reward when compared to others within the same social context. The individuals that develop more power and reward often work hard to maintain the structures as they exist as a way of ensuring that they retain and maintain their power and authority. The last assumption associated with the conflict theory is war. Conflict theorists believe in war from two main perspectives; as a unifier and as a cleanser of the society. War occurs as a culmination of growing conflicts between different social groups, which creates the need for having to define power and authority.
Relation of the Conflict Perspective and the Common Book
In their book ‘ Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People ,’ MaMahzarin R. Banaji and Anthony G. Greenwald build on the understanding that every human being is biased in one way or another. That allows every individual to focus on his or her benefit at the expense of others within the same social context. Banaji & Greenwald (2013) based their conclusions on human beings being biased from the Implicit Association Test (IAT) results, which allows them to evaluate 'hidden biases' that every individual harbour. From the results, it is essential to note that although individuals may be unaware of the dynamics associated with being biased, the 'hidden biases' feed the prejudices that persons are likely to show.
From the summary of the book, it is clear that it relates to the understanding that has been provided of the conflict perspective. The relationship can be seen from the fact that they both seek to highlight the reasons why individuals are likely to behave in a specific manner, especially when dealing with possible instances where they are protecting themselves. The conflict perspective indicates that such behaviours are an outcome of competition that impacts on the way people relate or interact. Banaji & Greenwald (2013), on the other hand, suggest that the existence of prejudice now presents a significant obstacle reflected upon the peaceful coexistence of individuals within the same social context. Prejudice creates a situation where individuals tend to make decisions that are biased or self-centred.
Another critical aspect to note when comparing the book to the conflict perspective is the fact that they both seek to reflect on perceptions of how people can complete a specific picture while, at the same time, trying to make sense of it. Banaji & Greenwald (2013) indicate that hidden biases arise from situations where people tend to perceive what they view using their brain as a way of trying to make sense of a complete picture or status. From the conflict perspective, persons often seek to use their power and wealth as a way of perceiving the completeness or wholeness of an image or situation. The expectation is that this often creates a high risk of conflict between individuals that is brought out as an outcome that affects the way people can interact or relate within the same social context.
Banaji & Greenwald (2013) highlight racial discrimination as a primary factor that defines social order considering that it creates a situation where the majority community often seeks to bring out its authority and superiority at the expense of the minority communities. That is a view that has been brought out clearly through the conflict perspective, which seeks to show that conflicts arise from cases where social groups tend to complete. In this case, communities can be viewed as social groups that are competing for positions within the social world; thus, defining the possibility of conflicts. It is from this perspective that one can take note of a clear connection between the information presented within the book and the conflict theory, considering that they both build on an understanding of how the society is likely to find itself dealing with unwanted outcomes of defined social orders.
Relation of the Conflict Perspective and Personal Views
I have always viewed competition as one of the negative aspects associated with society today, as it creates an unbalance outcome where the wealthy and powerful people are becoming more powerful, and the poor are becoming weaker. The conflict theory indicates that the wealthy and influential persons in society often suppress and oppress the power and weak in the community to aid in maintaining their authority and control. The expectation is that this creates an outcome where the poor are much more likely to remain weak while the wealthy and powerful are much more likely to experience an increase in their wealth and power. The position by the conflict theory is reflective of my personal views of how I can perceive different aspects associated with my social world.
My personal view on the current society reflects on the fact that although every individual has a specific role to play in building a society, these roles are often defined to maintain a status quo. The conflict theory, in the discussion on social inequality, indicates that the wealthy and powerful people often seek to preserve the existing inequalities, as this would allow them to build on their power and authority over others. That is a view that is similar to what I believe of the world where I think that society is defined by a status quo that does not change, which favours specific individuals. I hold the view that the conflict perspective represents an accurate picture of how the society is today, as it highlights the fact that indeed, the existence of competition serves as an outcome towards defining conflict.
Conclusion
Social theories play a critical role in providing individuals with multiple perspectives that would allow them to view their social world differently. The conflict perspective, which was suggested by one of the renowned German psychologists, Karl Marx, considers the social world from the perspective that there exists a state of perpetual conflict. Individuals that are in a position of wealth and power often seek to find ways allowing them to hold on to it through any means possible. The theory ascribes to the fact that fundamental developments in human history have played a key role in determining democracy and civil rights. From the summary of the book, it is clear that it relates to the understanding that has been provided of the conflict perspective. I have always viewed competition as one of the negative aspects associated with society today, as it creates an unbalance outcome where the wealthy and powerful people are becoming more powerful, and the poor are becoming weaker. That is a view that has been supported by the conflict perspective in its bid towards highlighting how conflict theories view their social world.
References
Banaji, M. R., & Greenwald, A. G. (2013). Blindspot: Hidden biases of good people . Penguin Books Limited.
Omer, S., & Jabeen, S. (2016). Exploring Karl Marx Conflict Theory in Education: Are Pakistani Private Schools Maintaining Status Quo?. Bulletin of Education and Research , 38 (2), 195-202.
Simon, R. M. (2016). The Conflict Paradigm in Sociology and the Study of Social Inequalities: Paradox and Possibility. Theory in Action , 9 (1).
