Basic Concepts and Principles Of Structural Functionalism

Theory

as a coherent group of propositions or statements formulated to explain a group of facts or phenomena in the natural world confirmed through experiment or observation

Herbert Spencer (1820-1903)

English philisopher and biologist where structural functionalism originated from his works. He saw the similarities between society and the human body that also work together to keep society functioning

Parts of Society Spencer referred

The social institutions, patterns of beliefs, & economy

Emile Durkheim (1858-1917)

Applied Spencer's Theory to explain how societies change and survive over time. Explained that society is a complex system of interrelated and interdependent parts that work together to maintain stability and is held together by shared etc and studied through social facts

Alfred Radcliffe-Brown (1881-1955)

defined the function of any recurrent activity as the part it played in social life as a whole, and therefore the contribution it makes to social stability and continuity

Talcott Parsons (1902-1979)

-Viewed society as vast network of connected parts

-Each helps maintain the system as a whole

-Came up with the term "Dynamic Equilibrium"

Robert Merton (1910-2003)

pointed out that social processes often have many fuctions and categorized functions into manifest functions and latent functions

Dysfunctions

social processes that have undesirable consequences for the operation of society

Structural Functionalism Theory / Functionalism

views society as a structure with interrelatted parts designed to meet the biological and social needs of individuals in the society

Manifest Functions

consequences of a social process that are anticipated or expected

Latent Functions

the unexpected consequences of a social process, can be beneficial, neutral, or harmful

Role of Inequality in Structural Functionalism

Social classes and inequalities contribute to social stability by allowing competition and innovation between institutions and individuals.

Manifest Functions of College Education

Gaining knowledge, preparing for a career, and finding a good job.

Latent Functions of College Education

Meeting new people, participating in extracurricular activities, or finding a spouse or partner.

Government and Family Application

Government provides services like healthcare and education to families, while families nurture children to become taxpayers who fund the government.

Education System Application

Transmits knowledge and cultural values, and maintains social order by teaching discipline, punctuality, and cooperation.