66

WHOLE BRAIN LEARNING SYSTEM

OUTCOME-BASED EDUCATION

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADE

Disciplines and Ideas in the Social 11/12
Sciences

LEARNING QUARTER 3
MODULE WEEKS 3-4

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WBLS-OBE MELC-Aligned Self-Learning Module DISS 11/12
 MODULE IN
DISCIPLINES AND IDEAS IN THE
SOCIAL SCIENCES

QUARTER 3
THE MAJOR SOCIAL
SCIENCESTHEORIES: Structural-
Functionalism, Marxism, and
Symbolic Interactionism
Development Team
Writer: Clarisse C. Raval
Editors/Reviewers: Richard A. Hapa Roxy G. Gaoiran
Rhonel S. Bandiola
Lay out Artist: Bryll B. Espiritu
Management Team: Vilma D. Eda Arnel S. Bandiola
Lourdes B. Arucan Juanito V. Labao
Imelda Fatima G. Hernaez

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WBLS-OBE MELC-Aligned Self-Learning Module DISS 11/12
 What I Need to Know

What this module is about?

This module is a SELF-PACED learning material for you to continue your

studies in the comfort and safety of your home.
This module presents knowledge about the basic concepts and principles of the
major social theories: structural-functionalism, Marxism, and symbolic interactionalism.
It contains interesting discussion that will guide you in understanding these concepts.
Activities are found in every lesson to test your understanding and to help you retain
better what you have learned.

Most Essential Learning Competency:

Analyze the basic concepts and principles of the major social science theories:
a. Structural-functionalism
b. Marxism
c. Symbolic Interactionism

What you are expected to learn?

After going through the module, you are expected to:

✓ discuss the basic concepts and principles of the major social science theories:
Structural-functionalism, Marxism, and Symbolic Interactionism; and
✓ interpret the importance of the basic concepts and principles of the major
social sciences theories by sharing personal and social experiences.

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WBLS-OBE MELC-Aligned Self-Learning Module DISS 11/12
 What I Know

Pre-test: True or False

Directions: Write True, if the statement is correct and write False, if the
statement is incorrect. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.
___________ 1. Conflict existing between the owners of the means of production,
called the proletariat and the laborers, called the bourgeoisie.
___________ 2. Structural-functional Theory, sees society as a structure with
interrelated parts designed to meet the biological and social needs of the individuals
in that society.
___________ 3. Symbolic Interactionism is a method of socioeconomic analysis that
uses a materialist interpretation of historical development to understand class
relations and social conflict.
___________ 4. George Herbert Mead coined the term “symbolic interactionism”.
___________ 5. For Marx, society’s constructions were predicated upon the idea of
“base and superstructure.”
___________ 6. Symbolic Interactionism theory analyzes society by addressing the
subjective meanings that people impose on objects, events, and behaviors.
___________ 7. “The confiscation of all property of emigrants and rebels” is one of
the ten points of Marxism.
___________ 8. Functionalism grew out of the writings of English philosopher and
biologist, Émile Durkheim.
___________ 9. Manifest functions are the consequences of a social process that are
sought or anticipated.
___________ 10. “Subjective meanings are given primacy because it is believed that
people behave based on what they believe and not just on what is objectively true.”
is one of the ten points of Marxism.

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WBLS-OBE MELC-Aligned Self-Learning Module DISS 11/12
Lesson
STRUCTURAL-FUNCTIONALISM
1

What’s In

.
Activity 1: Think About It
Directions: In a clean sheet of paper, answer the following questions.
1) What are different institutions are there in a society?
2) Why do you think they are there? What functions do they perform?
3) How do these functions aid society?

What is It

Structural-functional theory,
sees society as a structure with
interrelated parts designed to meet
the biological and social needs of
the individuals in that society.
Functionalism grew out of the
writings of English philosopher and
biologist, Hebert Spencer (1820–
1903), who saw similarities
between society and the human
body; he argued that just as the
various organs of the body work
together to keep the body
functioning, the various parts of
society work together to keep
society functioning (Spencer 1898).
The parts of society that Spencer
referred to were the social
institutions, or patterns of beliefs
and behaviors focused on meeting
Source:https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Sociological_Theory/Stru
ctural_Functionalism

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WBLS-OBE MELC-Aligned Self-Learning Module DISS 11/12
 social needs, such as government, education,
family, healthcare, religion, and the economy
Émile Durkheim, another early
sociologist, applied Spencer’s theory to
explain how societies change and survive
over time. Durkheim believed that society is a
complex system of interrelated and
interdependent parts that work together to
maintain stability (Durkheim 1893), and that
society is held together by shared values,
languages, and symbols. He believed that
individuals may make up society, but in order
to study society, sociologists have to look
beyond individuals to social facts. Social facts
Source:https://www.google.com/search?q=emile+durkh
eim&rlz=1C1CHWL_enPH924PH924&source=lnms&tb are the laws, morals, values, religious beliefs,
m=isch&biw=1366&bih=657#imgrc=7JwAyOnUp3aj9M
customs, fashions, rituals, and all of the cultural rules that govern social life (Durkheim
1895). Each of these social facts serves one or more functions within a society. For
example, one function of a society’s laws may be to protect society from violence, while
another is to punish criminal behavior, while another is to preserve public health.
Another noted structural functionalist, Robert Merton (1910–2003), pointed out
that social processes often have many functions.
⚫ Manifest functions are the consequences of a social process that are sought or
anticipated.
⚫ Latent functions are the unsought consequences of a social process.

Merton believes that there are 5 situations facing an actor.

⚫ Conformity occurs when an individual has the means and desire to achieve the
cultural goals socialized into them.
⚫ Innovation occurs when an individual strives to attain the accepted cultural goals
but chooses to do so in novel or unaccepted method.
⚫ Ritualism occurs when an individual continues to do things as prescribed by
society but forfeits the achievement of the goals.
⚫ Retreatism is the rejection of both the means and the goals of society.
⚫ Rebellion is a combination of the rejection of societal goals and means and a
substitution of other goals and means.

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Lesson
MARXISM
2

What is It

Marxism is a body of doctrine developed by Karl Marx and, to a lesser extent, by

Friedrich Engels in the mid-19th century. Marxism is a method of socioeconomic
analysis that uses a materialist interpretation of historical development to understand
class relations and social conflict, as well as a dialectical perspective to view social
transformation.

Karl Marx (1818-1883) wrote

the Communist Manifesto (1848) that
shows the basic struggle between
classes and recommends action
against the 'specter' of capitalism
Capital (1867). The book contains
theories about the nature of society
and politics, that in their own words,
"The history of all as yet existing
society is the history of class Source:https://www.google.com/search?q=karl+marx&rlz=1C
1CHWL_enPH924PH924&source=lnms&tbm=isch&biw=1366
struggles". &bih=657#imgrc=yAMrGc3Yq0qEiM

Friedrich Engels (1820 –

1895) was a German social scientist,
author, political theorist, philosopher,
and father of Marxist theory, together
with Karl Marx. He wrote Das Kapital.
He organized Marx's notes on the
"Theories of Surplus Value," which he
later published as the "fourth volume"
of Capital. He wrote the Origin of the
Family, Private Property, and the State
Source:https://www.google.com/search?q=friedrich+engels&rlz
=1C1CHWL_enPH924PH924&source=lnms&tbm=isch&biw=1
(1884), presents the evolution of
humankind from primitive 366&bih=657communism, to slavery, feudalism, capitalism, and finally,

industrial communism.

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 For Marx, society’s constructions were predicated upon the idea of “base and
superstructure.” This term refers to the idea that a society’s economic character forms
its base, upon which rests the culture and social institutions, the superstructure. For
Marx, it is the base (economy) that determines what a society will be like. Karl Marx
asserted that all elements of a society’s structure depend on its economic structure.

Source: https://courses.lumenlearning.com/alamo-sociology/chapter/reading-conflict-theory/

Additionally, Marx saw conflict in society as the primary means of change.

Economically, he saw conflict existing between the owners of the means of production,
called the bourgeoisie and the laborers, called the proletariat. He also believed that
human societies develop through class struggle, that is the gap between the rich and
the poor. For instance, in capitalism, there is a manifestation of conflict and that helps
control the means of production and those considered as working class. Labour is sold
and the workers get wages in return for their work. This critical approach is known as
historical materialism.

The Ten Points of Marxism:

1) The abolition of the property/ownership of land.
2) Income tax to be graded to income – the more an individual earned, the more
they paid. The less you earned, the less you paid.
3) Abolition of all rights of inheritance.
4) The confiscation of all property of emigrants and rebels.
5) The centralization of all credit into the hands of the state by means of a national
bank with state capital and an exclusive economy.
6) Centralization of all means of communication and transport into the hands of the
state.
7) The extension of factories and the instrument of production owned by the state.
Bringing into cultivation all land not being used that could be and an
improvement in the fertility of the soil.
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WBLS-OBE MELC-Aligned Self-Learning Module DISS 11/12
 8) The equal obligation of all to work and the establishment of an industrial and
agricultural armies.
9) The combination of agriculture and manufacturing industries with the gradual
abolition of the distinction between town and country by the more equable
distribution of the population over the country.
10) Free education for all children in public schools. The abolition of child labour in
factories; an educated child would be better for society in the long term, than a
child not educated.

What’s More

Activity 2: Agree or Disagree

Directions: Karl Marx wanted a society wherein there will be no conflict

between social classes. Do you agree with his ideas? Answer with reasons in a
separate sheet of paper.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

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WBLS-OBE MELC-Aligned Self-Learning Module DISS 11/12
Lesson
SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM
3

What’s New

Symbolic Interactionism is a
sociological theory that develops from
practical considerations and suggests to
people's particular utilization of dialect to make
images and normal implications, for deduction
and correspondence with others. This
perspective relies on the symbolic meaning
that people develop and build upon in the
process of social interaction. The
interpretation process that occurs between
interactions helps create and recreate
Source:https://bootcamp.uxdesign.cc/symbolic-
meaning. It is the shared understanding and interactionism-applied-to-ux-
interpretations of meaning that affect the interaction between individuals A theory
e9aa21a14583?gi=8441745766ea

analyzes society by addressing the subjective meanings that people impose on

objects, events, and behaviors. Subjective meanings are given primacy because it is
believed that people behave based on what they believe and not just on what is
objectively true. It looks at individual and group meaning-making, focusing on human
action instead of large-scale social structures.

George Herbert Mead (1863–1931) is considered a

founder of symbolic interactionism though he never
published his work on it (LaRossa and Reitzes 1993).
Mead’s student, Herbert Blumer, coined the term
“symbolic interactionism” and outlined these basic
premises: humans interact with things based on meanings
ascribed to those things; the ascribed meaning of things
comes from our interactions with others and society; the
meanings of things are interpreted by a person when
dealing with things in specific circumstances.
Source:https://www.google.com/search?
q=george+mead&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUK
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cCegQIABAA&oq=george+mead&gs_lcp
=CgNpbWcQAzICCAAyBAgAEEMyAggA
MgIIADICCAAyAggAMgIIADICCAAyAgg
AMgIIADoFCAAQsQM6BwgAELEDEEN
Qn5J0WL- WBLS-OBE
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xdGC3s3RoAHAAeACAAYsBiAHPCZIB
BDAuMTGYAQCgAQGqAQtnd3Mtd2l6L
WltZ8ABAQ&sclient=img&ei=ke5NYJP_
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=1C1CHWL_enPH924PH924#imgrc=VFI
 The Three Basic Premises by Herbert Blumer (1969) set out three basic
premises of the perspective:

1) "Humans act toward things based on the meanings they ascribe to those things."
includes everything that a human being may note in their world, including physical
objects, actions, and concepts. Essentially, individuals behave towards objects
and others based on the personal meanings that the individuals have already given
these items.

2) "The meaning of such things is derived from, or arises out of, the social interaction
that one has with others and the society." arises out of, the social interaction that
one has with other humans.

3) "These meanings are handled in, and modified through, an interpretative process
used by the person in dealing with the things he/she encounters." We naturally talk
to ourselves to sort out the meaning of a difficult situation.

What is It

Read Me! Read Me!

Read the article about the major theories in social sciences and the criticisms
of each theory. Understand what you are reading.

Three Major Perspectives in Sociology

Symbolic Interactionist Perspective
According to the symbolic interactionist perspective, people attach meanings to symbols,
and then they act according to their subjective interpretation of these symbols. Verbal
conversations, in which spoken words serve as the predominant symbols, make this
subjective interpretation especially evident. The words have a certain meaning for the
“sender,” and, during effective communication, they hopefully have the same meaning for
the “receiver.” In other terms, words are not static “things”; they require intention and
interpretation. Conversation is an interaction of symbols between individuals who constantly
interpret the world around them. Of course, anything can serve as a symbol as long as it
refers to something beyond itself.

Critics claim that symbolic interactionism neglects the macro level of social interpretation—
the “big picture.” In other words, symbolic interactionists may miss the larger issues of
society by focusing too closely on the “trees” (for example, the size of the diamond in the

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wedding ring) rather than the “forest” (for example, the quality of the marriage). The
perspective also receives criticism for slighting the influence of social forces and
institutions on individual interactions.

The Functionalist Perspective

According to the functionalist perspective, also called functionalism, each aspect of
society is interdependent and contributes to society's functioning as a whole. The
government, or state, provides education for the children of the family, which in turn pays
taxes on which the state depends to keep itself running. That is, the family is dependent
upon the school to help children grow up to have good jobs so that they can raise and
support their own families. In the process, the children become law‐abiding, taxpaying
citizens, who in turn support the state. If all goes well, the parts of society produce order,
stability, and productivity. If all does not go well, the parts of society then must adapt to
recapture a new order, stability, and productivity. For example, during a financial recession
with its high rates of unemployment and inflation, social programs are trimmed or cut.
Schools offer fewer programs. Families tighten their budgets. And a new social order,
stability, and productivity occur.

Functionalism has received criticism for neglecting the negative functions of an event such
as divorce. Critics also claim that the perspective justifies the status quo and complacency
on the part of society's members. Functionalism does not encourage people to take an
active role in changing their social environment, even when such change may benefit
them. Instead, functionalism sees active social change as undesirable because the
various parts of society will compensate naturally for any problems that may arise.

The Conflict Perspective

The conflict perspective, which originated primarily out of Karl Marx's writings on class
struggles, presents society in a different light than do the functionalist and symbolic
interactionist perspectives. While these latter perspectives focus on the positive aspects of
society that contribute to its stability, the conflict perspective focuses on the negative,
conflicted, and ever‐changing nature of society. Unlike functionalists who defend the
status quo, avoid social change, and believe people cooperate to effect social order,
conflict theorists challenge the status quo, encourage social change (even when this
means social revolution), and believe rich and powerful people force social order on the
poor and the weak.

Critics of the conflict perspective point to its overly negative view of society. The theory
ultimately attributes humanitarian efforts, altruism, democracy, civil rights, and other
positive aspects of society to capitalistic designs to control the masses, not to inherent
interests in preserving society and social order.

Source: https://www.cliffsnotes.com/study-guides/sociology/the-sociological-
perspective/three-major-perspectives-in-sociology

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 What I Can Do

Activity 3.1: Written Work

Learning Competency: Discuss the basic concepts and principles of the major social
science theories: Structural-functionalism, Marxism, and Symbolic Interactionism
Directions: Using the table below, give the perspective, theorist(s), view of
society, description and criticism of each of the major social sciences theories:
Structural-Functionalism, Marxism, and Symbolic Interactionism.
Perspectiv
e View of
Theories Theorist(s) Description Criticism
Society
(Micro/Macro)

Structural- It sees
Functionalism society as…

It sees
Marxism
society as…

Symbolic It sees
Interactionism society as…

Activity 3.2: Performance Task

Performance Standard: Interpret the importance of the basic concepts and principles
of the major social sciences theories by sharing personal and social experiences.

Your goal is to write a reflection paper on one of the three major social sciences
theories (Structural-Functionalism, Marxism, and Symbolic Interactionism) by sharing
your personal experiences in the following institutions: Family, School, Church, and
Government.
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WBLS-OBE MELC-Aligned Self-Learning Module DISS 11/12
Rubrics for the Reflection Paper:
Criteria 4 3 2 1
Content Demonstrates a Demonstrates a Demonstrates a Demonstrate little
conscious and thoughtful limited or no
thorough understanding of understanding of understanding of
understanding of the subject the subject the subject
the subject matter. matter. matter.
matter.
Focus Clearly states the Clearly states the Implies but does Does not state or
purpose of the purpose of the not clearly state imply the purpose
activity. Never activity. Diverges the purpose of the of the activity.
diverges from the a little from the activity. Diverges from the
topic. topic. topic.

Organization Presents the Presents the Presents the Presents the

reflection in a reflection in a reflection in an reflection in a
compelling, well-organized organized poorly organized
highly-organized manner. manner. manner.
manner.

Assessment

Post-test: True or False

Directions: Write True, if the statement is correct and write False, if the
statement is incorrect. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.
___________ 1. For Marx, society’s constructions were predicated upon the idea of
“base and superstructure.”
___________ 2. Manifest functions are the consequences of a social process that are
sought or anticipated.
___________ 3. George Herbert Mead coined the term “symbolic interactionism”.
___________ 4. Functionalism grew out of the writings of English philosopher and
biologist, Émile Durkheim.
___________ 5. Symbolic Interactionism theory analyzes society by addressing the
subjective meanings that people impose on objects, events, and behaviors.

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WBLS-OBE MELC-Aligned Self-Learning Module DISS 11/12
___________ 6. Conflict existing between the owners of the means of production,
called the proletariat and the laborers, called the bourgeoisie.
___________ 7. “Subjective meanings are given primacy because it is believed that
people behave based on what they believe and not just on what is objectively true.”
is one of the ten points of Marxism.
___________ 8. Structural-functional Theory, sees society as a structure with
interrelated parts designed to meet the biological and social needs of the individuals
in that society.
___________ 9. “The confiscation of all property of emigrants and rebels” is one of
the ten points of Marxism.
___________ 10. Symbolic Interactionism is a method of socioeconomic analysis
that uses a materialist interpretation of historical development to understand class
relations and social conflict.

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WBLS-OBE MELC-Aligned Self-Learning Module DISS 11/12
 Answer Key

Pre-test : Assessment:
What’s In (Act. 1):
1. False Answers may vary 1. True

2. True 2. True
What’s More (Act. 2):
3. False Answers may vary 3. False

4. False 4. False
What I Can Do (Act. 3):
5. True Answers may vary 5. True

6. True 6. False

7. True 7. False

8. False 8. True

9. True 9. True

10. False 10. False

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WBLS-OBE MELC-Aligned Self-Learning Module DISS 11/12
References

https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Sociological_Theory/Structural_Functionalism

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/alamo-sociology/chapter/functionalism/

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Marxism

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/alamo-sociology/chapter/reading-symbolic-
interactionist-theory/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbolic_interactionism

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 For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education – Schools Division of Laoag City

Curriculum Implementation Division
Brgy. 23 San Matias, Laoag City, 2900
Contact Number: (077)-771-3678
Email Address: [email protected]

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