Functionalists and Structural Functionalism

Functionalists and Structural Functionalism

Talcott Parsons saw “Society as a Social System.” All parts of society (institutions and groups) must work and fulfill their function in order to maintain homeostasis. Each part of society contributes to the larger system. Components of society must contribute positively to the system and maintain equilibrium in order to be considered a functional system. The main institutions in our society include: family, education, religion, politics, economics, and the mass media. If there is a change in one of these institutions the other institutions are also affected (changed). (Image courtesy of worradmu/FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

For example, think about the following characteristics or changes in our society:

1)Increase in single-parent families

2)Increase in dual-earner families

3)Divorce

4)Women in the workforce

How are each of these issues affected by the other institutions AND how do they affect the other institutions?

Functionalism is rooted in anthropology. We can look at tribal societies as an example of functionalism. Tribal societies are small self sufficient societies and each member of the society affects the other members as well as the entire group. What are some of the roles/positions within tribal societies? Think about what would happen if one individual or specific group within the tribe decides not to perform their role or dies. How would the others be affected? What effects would it have on the entire group?

There are two types of functions: manifest and latent functions

Manifest functions are specific functions that society, a group, or individuals intend to do. Latent functions are not intended and are a result of manifest functions. In other words, a manifest function is a specifically stated goal of one of our institutions, but due to that function there can be some unintended consequences that occur. For example, (macro perspective) society has specific systems of social control. Society intends to make sure that the groups within the society as well as individuals follow the rules of that society so systems of social control are developed and implemented. From a macro perspective, how do we maintain social control within our society? Do we have laws, police, judicial system, and prisons? The manifest function is to make sure members of society follow the rules or laws; however, there are problems within our criminal justice system. Due to the way the system functions there are unintended consequences (latent functions) such as inequality in the criminal justice system.

Now, think about another example from a micro perspective. One of the functions of the family is for parents to teach their children specific values or the difference between right and wrong. We want our children to follow the rules in society; therefore, we discipline them when they “break the rules.” But there are several different forms of discipline. Think about the different methods that people use to discipline their children. What can be the latent (unintended) consequences of the specific method used to discipline a child? What can be the result of having an authoritarian parent (also labeled the drill sergeant parent)?If I am strictly monitored, rigidly disciplined, and always told what to do what can be the long term consequences? What we usually see in this instance is an adult who cannot make decisions for him or herself. Or if I am an extremely lenient parent because I want to create an independent child (manifest function), what can be the long term results (latent consequences)?

Whereas functions contribute to the social stability of our society, dysfunctions disrupt the social stability. Is CRIME dysfunctional? Crime is associated with physical violence, loss of property, and fear; however, crime makes us aware of morals and values (Durkheim) and increases social cohesion.

Social problems are considered social pathology and are a result of “sickness” of society. When the structure no longer performs the functions properly it results in social problems (crime, violence, poverty, breakdown of the family institution, inadequate education, individuals are not adequately socialized, etc.).

Social disorganization can be caused by rapid social change which disrupts the norms of the given society (a state of disequilibrium for a period of time).

STRATIFICATION

The functionalist perspective of stratification (layering of groups or individuals in society) is that stratification is necessary. Groups and individuals in society have different amounts of power, prestige, and wealth…some have more and some have less. Without some stratification in our society it would not be possible to fill all of the necessary positions in society. Society would cease to exist if every individual or group had equal opportunity to be in the upper layers of society as the lower layers or positions would not be filled. Think about some occupations in the lower levels in our society…how important is it that we have individuals to fill those positions? What would happen if we did not have people to fill those positions? Functionalists at the extreme end of the continuum would go as far as to say that we should, and do, specifically socialize individuals and groups to fill specific positions and layers (lower, middle, and upper layers).

1 Functionalism
The analysis of social and cultural phenomena in terms of the functions they perform in a sociocultural system. In functionalism, society is conceived of as a system of interrelated parts in which no part can be understood in isolation from the whole. A change in any part is seen as leading to a certain degree of imbalance, which in turn results in changes in other parts of the system and to some extent to a reorganization of the system as a whole. The development of functionalism was based on the model of the organic system found in the biological sciences. The various organs of a living thing work together in order to maintain a healthy whole in much the same way that various institutions in society work together to produce social order
2. Main ideas in Functionalism
The starting point of all Functionalism is that all societies have certain basic needs called – Functional requirements which must be met if a society is to survive. Functionalists are therefore concerned with the contribution the various parts of a society make towards those needs. All Functionalism is concerned with the basic need and desirability for social order and stability to prevail in society.
3. Explaining Social Order
In explaining the basis of social order in societies the starting point for Functionalists is to look at whole societies and not the individual; they explore the ways in which the various parts which make up a society, and function to maintain social order.
4 Central Value System
Functionalists believe that the basis of an orderly society is the existence of a central value system that imposes common values on all its members. Therefore, when Functionalists look at the ways in which the various parts of society contribute to bringing about social order they are mainly concerned with the ways in which these parts help to perpetuate and maintain this common value system.
5 Manifest functions and latent functions (Robert Merton)
• Manifest functions refer to the obvious functions we openly intend a social system to perform. They involve the intended, recognized, consequences of an aspect of society,
– such as the university’s role in certifying academic competence and excellence.
• By contrast, latent functions are unconscious or unintended and often unrecognized functions a social system also provides.
– One latent function of universities is to hold down unemployment.
– Another is to serve as a meeting ground for people seeking marital partners.
6 Three Elements of Functionalism
The general interrelatedness, or interdependence of the system’s parts
 The existence of a “normal” state of affairs, or state of equilibrium, comparable to the normal or healthy state of an organism
The way that all the parts of the system reorganize to bring things back to normal)

7 Equilibrium and Dysfunction
 Social systems tend to remain largely unchanged so long as all of their parts are functioning properly.
 This condition of stability is referred to as equilibrium or balance.
It can be disrupted when elements of the system fail to perform their functions properly, often due to the intrusion of outside forces.
These disruptions are referred to as dysfunctions because they keep the system from operating smoothly and effectively.
 A dysfunction refers to an element or process of society that may actually disrupt a social system or lead to a decrease in stability.
Since social systems inherently resist change, if dysfunctions arise, internal mechanisms will activate to restore equilibrium

Society as naturally being in a state of equilibrium.
 By equilibrium, Parsons meant that society tends toward a state of stability or balance.
 Therefore, according to this equilibrium model, as changes occur in one part of society, there must be adjustments in other parts. If this does not take place the society’s equilibrium will be threatened and strains will occurs.
 Functionalists tend to see most change as slow and adaptive. If pressure for social change is too great, the system simply collapses.

8. Think of an restaurant as an example of the interrelatedness expressed within the functionalism framework.
• Servers
• Cooks
• Hostess
• management
9. What could cause “disequilibrium” of the restaurant system?
Workers calling sick, Late deliver of products, Malfunctioning equipment
10. Using the restaurant example, how will equilibrium be restored?
• Personnel will work harder
• Employees will work Overtime
• Additional staff will be hired
11. In analyzing how social systems maintain and restore equilibrium, functionalists tend to use the term shared values, which are generally accepted standards of desirability as a central concept.
Shared Values
• The functionalist perspective also suggests that people in a normally functioning social system will share a number of values that help hold the society together and maintain a state of equilibrium.
• When such consensus does not exist, systems are likely not to function very effectively.
Examples of common values US: Equality of opportunity, Christian moral values, Materialism, Democracy, Productivity, competition, individualism and achievement
12. The emphasis on values is the second most important feature of functionalism As such; it contrasts directly with the other major macro-sociological perspective, conflict theory. Whereas functionalism emphasizes the unity of society and what its members share, conflict theorists stress the divisions within a society and the struggles that arise out of people’s pursuits of their different material interests.

13. Discussion Question I
What are the functions of religion? What are the dysfunctions of religion?
• Functions of religion
– Social cohesion
– Social support
– Emotional well-being
– Social service function
– Social-control function
• Dysfunctions of Religion
– Conflicts
– Violence

14. Discussion Question II
What are the manifest and latent functions of education?
• Manifest functions of education
– the transmission of knowledge
– Bestowing status
• Latent functions of education
– Transmitting culture
– promoting social and political integration
– maintaining social control
– serving as agents of change

 Functionalists view education in terms of the “functions” it performs in society. This implies a non conflict view of society
15. Functionalist & views on education — provides:
 Social cohesion: brings together all community’s children for a core civic education, respectful relations, solidarity
 Social goal attainment: education provides differentiated technical skills & socializes for coordination
 Social fluidity: education is the means to realizing more equitable distribution of social status and economic resources across generations
 Equal opportunity & merit based selection
16. Critique
(1) Functionalism has a conservative bias – e.g., it assumes that a society is geared toward maintaining equilibrium or harmony.
(2) By implying that order is more basic than change, and by maintaining that change is frequently dysfunctional, functionalists seem to be saying that the status quo is almost always desirable.
(3) Functionalist approach virtually disregards the use of coercion by the powerful to maintain the illusion of a stable, well-integrated society.

Some of the popular critiques of the functionalist view
 Are that the functionalist position suggests that everyone benefits from the functions carried out by the education system but
 Conflict theories such as the Marxist approach argue that this is not the case. Rather education is seen as part of the apparatus that legitimises and reproduces societies inequalities and divisions and that schools reward conformity over intelligence and achievement
 For example, better grades were achieved by hard working obedient children rather than the creative, aggressive and independent ones
Functionalism is structuralist in its approach, paying attention to social institutions and structures over individuals
 Functionalists pay little attention to the interaction between teachers and students or how teachers and students interpret what is going on in schools
z Functionalism is often referred to as ‘consensus’ theory because it doesn’t address the issue of conflict in society, rather it projects an ideal picture of harmonious social relationships.
19. Conclusion

Functionalists view:
 Society is an organic whole that requires the integration of all of its various parts to maintain harmony & social order.
 Integration and harmony require shared values, such as achievement, equal opportunity, productivity, materialism etc…

Functionalist perspective:
– A sociological approach that emphasizes the way that parts of society are structured to maintain its stability.
(1) Interdependence and Stability
• Functionalism interprets all social groups as systems whose parts are interdependent.
• A change in one element necessarily leads to changes in every other element.
• Parts of a society are structured to maintain its stability.
• If an aspect of social life does not contribute to a society’s stability or survival, it will not be passed on from one generation to the next.

20. Functionalist & bureaucratic views of schooling in a complex industrial society
 Social cohesion: brings together all community’s children for a core civic education, respectful relations, solidarity
 Social goal attainment: education provides differentiated technical skills & socializes for coordination
 Social fluidity: education is the means to realizing more equitable distribution of social status and economic resources across generations
 Equal opportunity & meritocratic selection
 Economic rewards follow from differences in level of technical skill and contribution to the social whole.

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