Psych Case

The functionalism theory is about social organization and how this organization is maintained throughout the society. This theory emphasizes the importance of stability and integration in a society. The ideas come from natural sciences and look at society like a biologist would look at a living organism. They both try to identify the various parts or structures and see how they work and/or function. In this theory homelessness is viewed as inevitable and basically a must for the society to well, “function.” Individuals occupy specific, fixed roles in the society. Homelessness is just looked at as nothing more but a social class which is needed. It is believed that once one is part of this class, one will remain with this class for as long as he or she lives but if there ever is change and one moves up in class, the change will be very slow and gradual. The functionalism perspective is basically a perspective in which all different parts of a society come together and work as one whole part, in which power is underplayed. The homeless are one of the parts of the society that work and come together with the other social classes so the society can go on.

The conflict theorists view the society from an objective and hierarchical point of view. In this perspective individuals are subordinated to society. The basis of social order is power or coercion and the only way to change within the society is through a power struggle in which there is a lot of competition. Social class is extremely important in this perspective for it defines your place in the pyramid of power. Resources are limited greatly in society and people are constantly in competition for these resources. Conflict theorists approach the issue of homelessness just like a master approaches his slaves. They see the homeless as people that are too weak and unable to climb up the social ladder to achieve higher social status. Conflict theorists see themselves as the kings of the jungles and