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101 Course Tutorials
Sociology 101 Back to Exercise Menu

Foundations of Sociology : Introduction to Exercise 2 - Theoretical paradigms of sociology
What You Will Learn

This exercise explains the following three theoretical paradigms in sociology:
  • The structural-functional paradigm
  • The social-conflict paradigm
  • The symbolic-interaction paradigm
Key Terms


latent function
macro-level orientation
manifest function
micro-level orientation
social dysfunction
social function
social structure
social-conflict paradigm
structural-functional paradigm
symbolic-interaction paradigm
theoretical paradigm
Click on a term for the definition and Spanish translation.
What You Will Do

Read each passage and answer the questions that follow it by clicking on the correct choice. The Answer box at the bottom of the choices will tell you if your answer is correct. If you choose the wrong answer, try again.
continue to exercise
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