Which perspective views society as being shaped by conflict between different groups over resources?

The conflict perspective is grounded in the idea that society is characterized by competition and power struggles between various groups, particularly over scarce resources such as wealth, power, and social status. This perspective posits that these conflicts are central to understanding social dynamics and inequalities. It emphasizes how social structures and relationships are influenced by the competition between groups that may have differing interests, leading to ongoing struggles for dominance and control.

This view contrasts with others, such as the functionalist perspective, which focuses on the stability and cohesion of society and sees each part of society as serving a purpose for the overall functioning of the whole. The interactionist perspective, on the other hand, concentrates on the day-to-day interactions and meanings individuals derive from them, overlooking broader structural conflicts. Lastly, the cultural perspective primarily examines how culture shapes and influences social behavior rather than focusing on the power dynamics inherent in resource distribution.

Thus, the conflict perspective is the most fitting as it directly addresses the struggles between groups within society over resources and highlights the inherent inequalities that arise from these conflicts.