Final answer:
Sociologists primarily use three theoretical perspectives to examine society: Functionalist, Conflict, and Interactionist. These perspectives help to understand different aspects of society such as cohesion, power dynamics, and daily social interactions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sociologists examine society using several theoretical perspectives, but three of the main perspectives are:
- Functionalist Perspective: This view sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability. It posits that each aspect of society serves a function that helps maintain the balance and cohesion of society.
- Conflict Perspective: This perspective views society as composed of groups that are competing for scarce resources. It understands social life as a struggle for power between groups engaging in conflict for limited resources.
- Interactionist Perspective: Also known as symbolic interactionism, this perspective focuses on the daily social interactions between individuals and the meanings that individuals ascribe to these interactions and symbols of culture.
These perspectives are not the only ways sociologists view society, as feminism also provides a lens through which to examine issues like inequality, specifically gender inequality. However, when it comes to the three core perspectives asked in the question, the correct options are Functionalism, Conflict, and Interactionism.