DISS: Structural Functionalism

Structural Functionalism

• a framework for building a theory that sees society as a complex system whose parts works together to promote solidarity and stability

• parts of the whole system may vary in terms of function but they are related to each other

• working of one part would affect other parts

• developed by Talcott Parsons under the influence of the works of Max Weber & Emile Durkheim

Social Structure

the consequence of any social pattern for the operation of any society as a whole

Examples of social structure

• Family

• Government

• Religion

• Education

• Economy

Family

•  basic unit of society

•  educational system where the child begins to learn

• basic unit of socialization where the child develops value and behavior

Government

the institution which solves the conflicts that are public in nature and involve more than one people

Education

form of learning in which knowledge, skills, and habits of groups of people are transferred from one generation to the next through teaching, training or research

Religion

a system of belief and rituals that serve to bind people together through shared worship

Economy

encompasses many institutions, agencies, entities, decision-making processes, and patterns of consumption that comprise the economic structure of a given community

Robert Merton

• expanded the concept of social structure in which it may have any function

• society was made of several functions and different institutions and elements of the society had a variety of purposes and meanings

• everything that existed had a reason

• all functions are positive

•  functions can also be found in everyday activities

Manifest Functions

recognized and intended consequences of any social pattern

Latent Functions

unrecognized and unintended consequences in any social pattern

Social Dysfunction

• any social pattern that may disrupt the operation of the society

• could be described as malfunction or abnormal or impaired functioning

Causes of Social Dysfunction

1. lack of consciousness

2. differences in backgrounds or status

Premises of Structural Functionalism Approach

1. every social structure or system and each member has a specific function

2. functions can be small or substantial and are dynamic in nature

3. change is evident, however, it must adapt to that change in order for the system to maintain its equilibrium

Four Imperatives for the Society to Survive

• adaptation

• goal attainment

• integration

• latency

Adaptation

acquiring and mobilizing sufficient resources so that the system could survive

Goal Attainment

setting and implementing goals

 Integration

maintaining solidarity or coordination among the subunits of the system

Latency

creating preserving and transmitting the system’s distinctive culture and values

Criticism

• lack of explanation for social conflict or social change

• focus on social stability and social order, ignoring inequalities of social class, race, gender which cause tension and conflict in the society