Merton's Internal Critique Of Functionalism

Within functionalism, where have significant criticisms come from?

Merton.

What does Merton criticise?

Three key assumptions of Parsons.

What are the three key assumptions of Parsons criticised by Merton?

• Indispensability.

• Functional unity.

• Universal functionalism.

How does Parsons assume Indispensability?

Parsons assumes that everything in society, such as the family, is functionally indispensable in its existing form.

What does Merton argue against Parson’s assumption of indispensability?

That the family, for example as indispensable id just an untested assumption and he points to the possibility of ‘functional alternatives‘.

How does Parsons assume functional unity?

He assumes that all parts of society are tightly integrated into a single whole of ‘unity‘ and that each part is functional for all the rest. He also assumes that a change in one part will have a ‘knock-on‘ effect on all other parts. However, neither of these assumptions is necessarily true as complex modern societies have many parts, some of which only be distantly ‘related‘ to one another.

How does Parsons assume universal functionalism?

Parsons assumes that everything in society performs a positive function for society as a whole. Yet some things may be functional for some groups and dysfunctional for others. The idea of dysfunction (negative function) introduces a neglected note into functionalism, by suggesting that there may be conflicts of interest and that some groups may have the power to keep arrangements in place that benefot them at the expense of others.

What does Merton contribute a useful distinction between?

‘Manifest‘ and ‘Latent‘ functions. This is useful in helping to reveal the hidden connection between social phenomena , which the actors themselves may not be aware of.

What are manifest functions?

Intended functions.

What are latent functions?

Unintended functions.