the selected of sociological institution: functionalism. conflict, and Interactionism

Those are not sociological institutions. They are theories.

http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/social-institutions/

Sounds as if Mary needs to do LOTS of research and reading before trying to write anything.

Try searching here:
http://scholar.google.com

or here:
http://books.google.com

or here:
http://www.google.com/advanced_search?hl=en
At this page, you have more control over the words you do and don't want included in your search. Use the first search box (all these words) for the words you want included, and the fourth box for words you don't want included in the search.

If you need help learning how to search, including how to choose good search terms, go here and scroll down to the links under HOW TO SEARCH THE INTERNET:
http://hanlib.sou.edu/searchtools/

The selected sociological institutions you mentioned - functionalism, conflict theory, and interactionism - are actually theoretical perspectives rather than specific institutions in sociology. They represent different ways of understanding and analyzing society. Let me explain each of these perspectives:

1. Functionalism: Functionalism is a theoretical perspective that views society as a complex system made up of various interconnected parts that work together to maintain social stability and order. According to functionalists, each part of society serves a purpose or function that contributes to the overall equilibrium of the system. They focus on understanding how social institutions (such as education, family, or government) function and contribute to the overall functioning of society. To understand functionalism, you can explore the works of sociologists like Émile Durkheim or Talcott Parsons.

2. Conflict Theory: Conflict theory, on the other hand, looks at society as a battleground where various social groups compete for resources and power. This perspective highlights the inequalities and power imbalances within society and how they impact social relations and structures. Conflict theorists argue that conflicts and tensions between different social groups drive social change and shape society. Sociologists such as Karl Marx and Max Weber are often associated with conflict theory. To delve deeper into this perspective, you can explore their writings and the concept of class struggle or social stratification.

3. Interactionism: Interactionism is a sociological perspective that focuses on the interactions between individuals and how these interactions shape society. Interactionists emphasize the importance of symbolic meaning and social interaction in constructing and understanding social reality. They are interested in studying communication, social roles, and individual experiences to make sense of the larger social order. One of the key figures associated with interactionism is George Herbert Mead. To further explore interactionism, you can look into Mead's symbolic interactionism and the idea of the "social self."

Understanding these different perspectives can provide a well-rounded understanding of sociological analysis and offer insights into various aspects of society. To explore these perspectives in more depth, I recommend studying the works of prominent sociologists who have contributed significantly to each perspective.