Chapter 4- Contemporary Grand Theories

functions

Consequences that can be observed and help a system adapt or adjust.

societal functionalism

A variety of structural functionalism that focuses on large-scale social structures and institutions.

social stratification

A structure involving a hierarchy of positions that leads skilled people to high-ranking positions.

adaptation

One of Parsons's four functional imperatives, requiring adjustment to the environment.

goal attainment

The second of Parsons's functional imperatives involving defining and achieving primary goals.

integration

The third of Parsons's functional imperatives, seeking to regulate inter-relationships of component parts.

latency

The need for a system to maintain and renew individual motivation, the first aspect of Parsons’s fourth functional imperative.

pattern maintenance

Involves renewing cultural patterns that sustain individual motivation, the second aspect of the fourth functional imperative.

behavioral organism

The Parsonsian action system responsible for handling the adaptation function.

personality system

The Parsonsian action system responsible for performing the goal attainment function.

social system

The Parsonsian action system that copes with integration by controlling human actors' interactions.

cultural system

The Parsonsian action system performing the latency function by providing norms and values.

status

A structural position within the social system.

role

What an actor does in a status, seen in functional significance for the larger system.

need-dispositions

Drives shaped by the social setting, according to Parsons.

society

A relatively self-sufficient collectivity, as defined by Parsons.

economy

The subsystem of society that adapts to the environment.

polity

The subsystem of society that achieves goals and mobilizes resources.

fiduciary system

Handles pattern maintenance and latency by transmitting culture to actors.

societal community

The subsystem performing integration by coordinating society's components.

personality

An individual's organized system of orientation and motivation for action.

middle-range theories

Theories seeking a middle ground between explaining all of society and small portions.

dysfunctions

Observable consequences that adversely affect a system's ability to adapt.

nonfunctions

Consequences irrelevant to the system under consideration.

debunking

Looking beyond stated intentions to real effects.

imperatively coordinated associations

Associations controlled by a hierarchy of authority positions.

interests

Concerns usually shared by groups of people.

latent interests

Unconscious interests that translate into objective role expectations.

manifest interests

Latent interests of which people have become conscious.

quasi group

Individuals occupying positions with the same role interests.

interest group

A true group with common interests, structure, and capacity for conflict.

conflict group

A group that actively engages in conflict.

lumpenproletariat

The mass of people below the proletariat in capitalism.

complexity

The incalculable possibilities for action and interaction in systems theory.

contingency

A quality of a system's organization that is context-bound and open to change.

autopoiesis

The self-making or self-organizing quality of systems.

elements

The building blocks of a system.

differentiation

The process by which systems make distinctions.

segmentary differentiation

Division based on fulfilling identical functions repeatedly.

stratificatory differentiation

Vertical differentiation according to rank or status.

center-periphery differentiation

Differentiation between the core of a system and peripheral elements.

functional differentiation

The most complex form of differentiation, dominating modern society.

structural functionalism

A theory focusing on societal structures and their functional significance.

functional theory of stratification

People must be offered great rewards to occupy high-ranking positions.

criticism of functional theory

Alternatives exist to motivate people besides offering inordinate benefits.

Parsons's functional imperatives

Adaptation, goal attainment, integration, and pattern maintenance.

four Parsonsian action systems

Cultural, social, personality, and behavioral organism, in order of control.

Merton's structural-functional model

Focuses on functions, dysfunctions, and unanticipated consequences.

conflict theory

Developed in reaction to structural functionalism, focusing on change and conflict.

Dahrendorf's focus

Authority implying superordination and subordination.

types of groups in associations

Quasi groups, interest groups, and conflict groups.

conflict's role in change

Conflict has the capacity to lead to social change.

Luhmann's system vs. environment

The system is always less complex than the environment.

systems create structures

Autopoiesis describes the self-making feature of systems.

system's ability to make distinctions

Differentiation involves self and environment and internal distinctions.

four types of differentiation

Segmentary, stratificatory, center-periphery, and functional.

dominant form of differentiation

Functional differentiation is the most complex and dominates society.