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Learning Objectives
- Discuss how various groups in society compete for resources, status and power within society, known as conflict theory
Social conflict is the struggle for agency or power within a society. It occurs when two or more people oppose one another in social interactions, reciprocally exerting social power in an effort to attain scarce or incompatible goals, and prevent the opponent from attaining them.
Conflict theory emphasizes interests deployed in conflict, rather than the norms and values. This perspective argues that the pursuit of interests is what motivates conflict. Resources are scarce and individuals naturally fight to gain control of them. Thus, the theory sees conflict as a normal part of social life, rather than an abnormal occurrence. The three tenets of conflict theory are as follows:
- Society is composed of different groups that compete for resources.
- While societies may portray a sense of cooperation, a continual power struggle exists between social groups as they pursue their own interests.
- Social groups will use resources to their own advantage in the pursuit of their goals, frequently leading powerful groups to take advantage of less powerful groups.
Conflict theory relies upon the notion of a zero sum game, meaning that if group A acquires any given resource, group B will be unable to acquire it. Thus, any gain for group A is automatically a loss for group B. Conflict theory further argues that group A will continue to search for resources in order to keep group B from getting them, leading to the exploitation of the powerless. The idea that those who have control will maintain control is called the Matthew Effect.
According to the principles of conflict theory, all cooperation is only for the purpose of acquiring individual or group resources. This motivation for behavior restructures day-to-day interactions among people in a given society.
Key Points
- Conflict theory argues that conflict is a normal and necessary part of social interaction. In other words, conflict is seen as part of the social landscape rather than an anomaly.
- According to the theory, conflict is motivated by pursuit of personal interests. All individuals and groups are interested in gaining control over scarce resources, and this leads to conflict.
- Once one party gets control of resources, that party is unlikely to release them. The Matthew Effect is the idea that those in control will remain in control.
Key Terms
- Matthew Effect: The idea that those who have control will maintain control.
- Zero Sum Game: The idea that if group A acquires any given resource, group B will be unable to acquire it.
- Social Conflict: The struggle for agency or power within a society.
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Sociology - Ch 4 Section 2 - Social Interaction
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Types of Social Interaction
| exchange | individual, group, or social interaction undertaken in an effort to receive a reward in return for actions |
| reciprocity | idea that if you do something for someone, they owe you something in return |
| competition | interction that occurs when two or more persons or groups oppose each other to achieve a goal that only one can attain |
| conflict | deliberate attemp to oppose, harm, control by force, or resist the will of another person or persons |
| cooperation | interaction that occurs whent wo or more persons or groups work together to achieve a goal that will benefit many people |
| accommodation | state of balance between cooperation and conflict |
| truce | brings a halt to the conflict until a compromise can be reached |
| compromise | occurs when two parties both give up something to come to a mutual agreement |
| mediation | form of accommodation which involves calling in a third party who acts as adviser and counselor to help the two parties reach an agreement |
| arbitration | when a third party makes a decision that is binding to both parties |
| exchange theory | holds that people are motivated by self-interests in their interactions with other people |
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