Three main theories have developed over time to explain social phenomena. While each theory has significant differences, there are points in each that can help shed light on how society works. While some theories attempt to explain our social reality based on how each part of a society works together, other theories focus on conflicts in society or the interaction between individuals in a society (Kendall, 23). The three classic theories of sociology include the functionalist perspective, the conflict perspective, and the symbolic interactionist perspective. The functionalist perspective aims to explain sociological phenomena based on the belief that our society is a balanced system that depends on each part of the group to work together in order to survive. Most people in the group share the same morals and ethics. This varies greatly from the perspective of conflict theorists, who believe that every part of society is constantly in conflict. One of the key figures in the development of the conflict perspective was C. Wright Mills. He believed that crucial decisions in the United States were made primarily by people in private, known as the “power elite” (Kendall, 26). This means that decisions made in this country are usually made by the best bureaucrats and politicians. The conflict perspective does not say that society is a system based on the functions of each part as the functionalist perspective states; rather, each side is constantly in a “power struggle” (Kendall, 25). Both of these perspectives focus on the broader aspect of society, also known as macro-level analysis. The symbolic interactionist perspective is based on microlevel analysis, meaning it focuses on smaller groups and individuals rather than on big questions and insights for the future. Our interactions with others play an important role in the development of our society. The symbolic perspective does not believe in reality as we believe it; rather we create our values ​​through interactions with others. It also helps shed light on how new cultures and customs become accepted in a society. For example, the piñata was once used in China, and is now used during celebrations in various cultures (Kendall, 85). This shows how one society can adopt the symbols of another and make them their own. When we combine these perspectives and focus on our interactions with each other, the function each of us plays in society, and take into account the power struggles that occur, we gain a better understanding of society as a whole. Each of these theories helps explain different aspects of our social reality.