Shifting Paradigms

Shifting Paradigms
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Shifting Paradigms
The term paradigm in social science means theory though scientists have a different conception of the two concepts. The definition of the term “paradigm” will be derived from MacLean’s (2008) article “Shifting Paradigms,” which describes the concept as a lens of viewing the world and human experiences. Arguably, people are not selfish actors and often make rational choices when making decisions. Past research has shown how social contexts inform individuals’ behavior across a wide range of purviews, including but not limited to school choices and neighborhoods we live in, the friends we make, and the food we eat, among others. In the same light, research studies also indicate that decision-making, as explained in the rational choice paradigm, can make vast demands on individuals’ capacity to make decisions (Zou & Cheryan, 2017). While social scientists have tried to explain different social issues and situations using different paradigms, there is no accepted definition of the terms race and racism. Using MacLean’s (2008) “Shifting Paradigms,” this paper defines the term “paradigm” using functionalism, conflict, interactionism, and the theory of culture of prejudice as presented through history and assesses the importance of understanding the trajectory of change in these paradigms of race and race relations.
The paradigm of functionalism presupposes that ethnic and racial inequalities serve an important role in structuring society. However, this premise is by far problematic. One can ask the question of how discrimination and racism can positively contribute to the welfare of society. Functionalists may look at the dysfunctions and functions emancipating from racial inequality. For instance, some social scientists have tried to explain how racism is functional for the elite group arguing that it morally justifies a racially unequal society (MacLean, 2008). This can be exemplified by how slave owners in the south viewed blacks as inferior. From the functionalist perspective, racism results in the functioning of society by enhancing relationships between in-group members. However, it can be argued that dysfunctions associated with racisms include the inability to take advantage of available skills in the subjugated social group. In addition, this perspective assumes that society should dissuade from other purposes to maintain established racial boundaries. This is the reasoning behind the resources spent maintaining an unequal and separate educational system before the civil rights movement.
MacLean (2008) argues that another paradigm used in explaining racial inequality and racism, in general, is that of conflict theory. In examining the country’s history, a social scientist applying this perspective would consider the current and present struggles between the whites and other minority groups. Historically, the whites have noted certain conflicts out of perceptions of threats from the minority groups. For instance, the late 19th century saw the introduction of the draconian Jim Crow laws that limited the ability of blacks to get involved in politics and other social ac...