After Studying The Content Of This Module, Select A Social P
After Studying The Content Of This Module Select A Social Phenomenon
After studying the content of this module. Select a social phenomenon or institution you would like to study. Select three sociological theorists mentioned in this module or find others in the virtual library. Create a table that will show how each of the theories selected would interpret your chosen institution or phenomenon. Be sure to review the academic expectations for your submission.
Submission Instructions: Submit your assignment by 11:59 pm ET on Sunday. Contribute a minimum of 50-100 words for each issue or phenomenon. It should include at least 2 academic sources, formatted and cited in APA.
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
Understanding social phenomena through the lens of sociological theories provides vital insights into the functioning and significance of social institutions. For this analysis, I have selected the social phenomenon of social media and online communities. This phenomenon has fundamentally transformed communication, social interaction, and community building in contemporary society. To systematically interpret this phenomenon, I will employ three prominent sociological theorists: Emile Durkheim, Karl Marx, and Max Weber. Each theorist offers a different perspective on social cohesion, economic implications, and social stratification, which can be applied to the understanding of social media’s impact on society.
Durkheim’s Perspective on Social Media
Emile Durkheim emphasized social cohesion and collective consciousness as vital for societal stability. From his perspective, social media functions as a reflection of society’s collective consciousness, reinforcing shared norms and values (Durkheim, 1912). Social media platforms serve as modern-day “collective effervescence,” enabling individuals to experience a sense of belonging and community (Durkheim, 1912). For instance, during social movements such as #BlackLivesMatter, online communities foster solidarity and collective identity, contributing to social cohesion. Durkheim would argue that social media, by facilitating communication and shared rituals, strengthens social bonds but also risks reinforcing existing social divisions if not managed properly.
Marx’s Perspective on Social Media
Karl Marx’s theories focus on economic structures, class struggle, and capitalism. Marx would interpret social media as a tool within the capitalist system that perpetuates commodification and consumerism (Marx, 1867). Social media platforms are operated by large corporations seeking profit through targeted advertising and data mining, which commodifies users’ personal information. Marx would argue that social media intensifies class distinctions by creating consumer identities aligned with capitalist interests, exacerbating economic inequalities (Marx, 1867). Moreover, social media acts as a tool of ideological reinforcement, spreading dominant capitalism narratives that perpetuate consumer culture and social stratification.
Weber’s Perspective on Social Media
Max Weber’s sociological approach emphasizes social action, interpretative understanding, and rationality. Weber would analyze social media as a new form of social action that shapes individuals’ perceptions and identities through meaning-making processes (Weber, 1922). He might focus on the reflexivity of online identities, where individuals curate images and narratives to attain social status or self-identity (Weber, 1922). Weber would recognize that social media alters traditional social structures, emphasizing individual agency and "status groups" that influence social stratification (Weber, 1922). He would also explore how rationalization processes manifest in social media algorithms designed to maximize user engagement and profit.
Comparison Table of Theories on Social Media
| Theorist | Interpretation of Social Media and Online Communities |
|---|---|
| Durkheim |
Sees social media as fostering social cohesion and shared collective consciousness but warns of potential for social division if collective norms become polarized. |
| Marx |
Views social media as a capitalist tool that commodifies users, perpetuates consumerism, and reinforces class inequalities. |
| Weber |
Considers social media as a platform for individual agency, identity construction, and social stratification through status and rationalized algorithms. |
Conclusion
Applying these three sociological theories to social media reveals the multifaceted nature of this modern phenomenon. Durkheim emphasizes its role in promoting social bonds, Marx highlights its function within capitalism and inequality, and Weber focuses on individual agency and meaning-making. Together, these perspectives underscore the complex social dynamics embedded in online communities and the importance of examining social media through multiple sociological lenses to fully understand its societal role.
References
Durkheim, E. (1912). The social and moral life. Free Press.
Marx, K. (1867). Capital: A critique of political economy. Penguin Classics.
Weber, M. (1922). The sociology of religion. Beacon Press.
Boyd, D. (2014). It's complicated: The social lives of networked teens. Yale University Press.
Marwick, A. E., & Boyd, D. (2011). I tweet honestly, I tweet passionately: Twitter users, context collapse, and theimaginary audience. New Media & Society, 13(1), 114–133.
Fuchs, C. (2017). Social media asum: Towards a critical theory of social media. Routledge.
Castells, M. (2010). The rise of the network society. Wiley-Blackwell.
Habermas, J. (1984). The theory of communicative action. Beacon Press.
Turkle, S. (2011). Alone together: Why we expect more from technology and less from each other. Basic Books.
Sen, S., & Soderlund, J. (2019). Algorithmic social control: Explorations from social media. Social Media + Society, 5(2), 1-9.