Transcript Structural Functionalism

Structural Functionalism
Basics
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Macro-level analysis (big picture)
Predominantly European
Classic theory (1800-1950)
Leading Sociologists
– Comte, Durkheim, Spencer, Parsons, Merton,
Almond & Powell
• Optimistic theoretical framework
Definition
• A sociological view of society as a complex
unit made up of interrelated parts that work
together to promote solidarity and stability.
• Sociologists who apply this theory study social
structures and social functions.
Assumptions
• Stability
– Social patterns contribute to society and that is how
society is maintained, how it survives
• Harmony
– Parts of society work together for the good of the
whole
• Evolution
– Social structure adapts to new needs and demands, if
it is dysfunctional for society it will be eliminated
Analogy
• Consider society as a living organism—all of
the parts work together for the good of the
whole
– Human body: liver, heart, lungs, brain all work
together to maintain optimal health
– When illness occurs, the body attempts to repair
itself to regain balance
Deeper Understanding
• Human nature is the problem
• Social structures and culture keep people from
destroying themselves, it is these “parts” that
keep society functional
• Conflict is caused by human nature
• Social organization is the solution
Example: children are born selfish and would remain so, eventually
destroying themselves if families, schools, churches etc., were not
there to teach them restraint, moderation and cooperation
Functionalist Questions
• What social structures are involved?
• What cultural meanings are involved?
• What are the consequences of this social
structure?
• What are the consequences of this cultural
meaning?
• Does this social structure and cultural
meaning contribute to social stability?
Social Structures or Institutions
• Social structures are relatively stable patterns of
behaviour
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Friendship Networks
Education
Family
Religion
Governance
Healthcare
Sports & Recreation
Media
Example: Drug Use
• Social structures
– Family and/or friends who use drugs
– Family and/or friends who do not use drugs
– Police
• Cultural Meanings
– Laws (how are they interpreted?)
– Government (how is it perceived)
– Police (how do they enforce laws?)
• Social Stability
– Do these structures and meanings maintain or destroy
social equilibrium?
Social Functions
• Functionalist theory assumes that society is
comprised of many social structures that perform
social functions to maintain stability
• Manifest Functions (positive)
– Intended consequences of social structure
• Latent Functions (positive)
– Unintended or unrecognized consequences of a social
structure
• Dysfunction (negative)
– Undesirable consequences of a social structure
Example of Social Functions: Education
• Manifest Function
– educate children
• Latent Function
– daycare for children which enables parents to go
to work
• Dysfunction
– high school drop-outs
Social Institutions
• Institutions = social structure + culture
– Designed to meet human needs
– Provide routine patterns for dealing with
problems
• Institutional Interdependence
– Norms and values are reinforced because each
institution has compatible expectations
– Example: being on time is valued by the
workplace, school system, friends, family, church
University of Wisconsin interactive
Functionalism and Change
• Social structures exist because they in some
way contribute to maintenance of society
• Society maintains an equilibrium or harmony
and if forced out of that state will adjust in
ways that tend to reinstate equilibrium
(though not necessarily the original
equilibrium)
• Change is generated mainly from outside the
system or is brought on by dysfunction
Critique of Functionalism
Advantages
• Useful for macro-level
research on social
issues
• Valuable foundation for
further studies in
sociology
• Optimistic view
Disadvantages
• Values stability over all
else
• Assumes consensus
• Cannot explain rapid
social change or societal
breakdown
• Not based on empirical
findings
Crime - The Functionalist View
• Crime and deviance are inevitable and necessary
• Crime shows other member of the society what is right
and wrong
• Social consensus decides how right and wrong is
determined
• Crime can lead to social change because the existence
of crime proves to the people in the society that the
government does not overly control the citizens
• Crime can also help the economy of a society by
creating jobs for law enforcement officers,
psychiatrists, probation officers etc.
• Too much crime can be bad for the group, causing it to
lose harmony and eventually causing the society to
collapse.
Divorce- The Functionalist View
• In small groups, use the functionalist
framework to explain the rise in the divorce
rate since 1900.
• Consider social structures (family, economy,
the workplace, education…)
• Is marriage now a dysfunction?
Hint from the 1800s
On the farm where most people lived, each family member had
jobs or “chores” to do. The wife was in charge not only of
household tasks but also of raising small animals, such as chickens.
Milking cows, collecting eggs, and churning butter were also her
responsibility—as were cooking, baking, canning, sewing, darning,
washing, and cleaning. The daughters helped her.
The husband was responsible for caring for large animals, such as
horses and cattle, for planting and harvesting, and for maintaining
buildings and tools. The sons helped him.
Together, they formed an economic unit in which each depended
on the others for survival.