Merton

whats the most significant criticism of Parsons from inside functionalism

Merton who criticised three key assumptions of Parsons

what assumptions did of Parsons did Merton criticise

1. indispensability

2. functional unity

3. universal functionalism

what did Parsons assume regarding indispensability

Parsons assumes that everything in society- the family, religion and so on- is functionally indispensable in its existing form

how did Merton criticise Parsons assumption of indispensability

Merton argued that its an untested assumption

how does Merton correct Parsons incorrect assumption

he points to the possibility of ‘functional alternatives’

what are ‘functional alternatives’

Parsons assumes that primary socialisation is best preformed by the nuclear family, but it may be that one-parent families or communities do it just as well or better

whats Parsons assumption of Functional unity

Parsons assumes that all parts of society are tightly integrated into a single whole or ‘unity’ and that each part is functional for all the rest

he similarly assumes that change in one part will have a ‘knock-on effect’ on all other parts

how does Merton criticise Parsons assumption of functional unity

neither of his assumptions are necessarily true. complex modern societies have many parts, some of which may only be distantly related to one another.

what is suggested instead of functional unity

instead of functional unity, some parts may have ‘functional autonomy’ (Independence) from others

what was Parsons assumption about universal functionalism

everything in society performs positive function for society as a whole

how is Parsons universal functionalism ‘theory’ disproved

some things maybe be functional for some groups and dysfunctional for others

what does the idea of dysfunction introduce to functionalism

a neglected note by suggesting that there may be conflicts of interests and that some groups have the power to keep arrangements in place that benefit them at the expense of others.

this is further expanded by the conflict perspective

whats the central point behind Merton’s criticism

we cannot simply assume, as Parsons does, that society is always and necessarily a smooth-running, well integrated system

whats Merton’s suggestion regarding distinction

he contributes a distinction between ‘manifestation and ‘latent’ functions

whats the example Merton uses for manifestation

Hopi Native Americans who, in times of drought, performed a rain-dance with the aim of producing rain. this is its manifest or intended function

from a scientific view point its unlikely to achieve its goal

how can this ritual have unintended or latent functions

by promoting a sense of solidarity in times of hardship, when individuals might be tempted to look after themselves at the expense of others.

how is Mertons distinction helpful

its useful in helping to reveal the hidden connections between social phenomena, which the actors themselves may not be aware of.