Functionalism from Classical to Contemporary Theory

Functionalism is a social theory that has its foundations in the birth of the discipline called sociology (Adams Sydie, 2002 p.05). Angste Comte, considered the founder of sociology, believed that sociological matters should be explained through scientific study. Functionalism is a method of study based primary on facts, objectively measured, essentially applying the scientific method to the study of society, social actions and interactions. Functionalism is interested in the relationships between systems within society. Functionalism is a top down theory that looks for grand scale explanations to society. As a sociological theory, Functionalism sees social structure or the organization of society as more important than the individual.†¦show more content†¦Parsons pattern variables closely resemble the work by Durkheim on division of labor that makes individuals dependent upon one another because of the professionalization and specialization of the labor force. Durkheim was concerned about how the division of labor changed the way that people felt they were part of society. Durkheim used the terms organic and mechanical societies, these would also be analogous with Max Weber’s traditional and modern society. Parsons pattern variables were more complex that the concepts by Durkheim in an attempt to better explain social action between people or groups (Adams Sydie, 2002 p.16). Parsons student, Robert Merton a mid-range theorist contributed to the modernization of sociological functionalism by challenging the foundational hypotheses of Functionalism that all functions serve a purpose or they fade from society (Adams Sydie, 2002 p.26). Merton claims that, in a differentiated modern society not all functions may be relevant to a systems needs or may they provide secondary functions. Merton’s manifest and latent functions indicate that a function that services a primary need in society could also provide a secondary service. This may be observed in viewing the intended function of marijuana prohibition. The intended or manifest function of marijuana prohibition is to prevent the use of a conscious altering substance; the latent function has been the overcrowding of the prisons in theShow MoreRelatedThe Role of Theory in Social Research1613 Words   |  7 PagesThe role of theory in social research is that without a sociological theory, nothing can be sociological. Facts disconnected from theory are just facts. Theory makes the facts speak; the facts don’t and cannot speak for themselves. Without a connection to other facts, we cannot assess anything. With theory, you can relate facts to each other. Theory is the body of interrelated logical concepts or universals that connect to empirical facts and phenomena. Empirical research is okay as long as thereRead MoreCompare and Contrast Structuralism and Functionalism1310 Words   |  6 PagesSTRUCTURALISM AND FUNCTIONALISM In my opinion both of the theories structuralism and functionalism involved the study of the human mind and how it works and they were both concerned with the mind at the conscious level. Personally, my feel of the two is that functionalism is more important than structuralism. I believe that functionalism is far better school than structuralism as it is more flexible and scientific in nature which I can relate myself with. I happen to think that functionalism is an objectRead MoreTalcott Parsons And Structural Functionalism1428 Words   |  6 Pages Structural functionalism, or simply functionalism, is a framework for building theory that sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability. This approach looks at society through a macro-level orientation, which is a broad focus on the social structure that shape society as a whole, and believes that society has evolved like organisms. This approach looks at both social structure and soci al institutions. A common analogy, popularized by Herbert SpencerRead MoreGestalt Psychology1707 Words   |  7 Pages1 WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGY? Multiple Choice Questions 1. The term â€Å"psyche† when translated from the Greek is most closely associated with the term A) habit. B) life. C) study. D) mind. 2.The essential difference between behavior and mental processes is A) complexity. B) observability. C) controllability. D) ease of description. 3. Why is psychology a science? A) It attempts to separate the elements of the mind. B) It uses rigorous methods of observation. C) It has more than one researchRead Morecheat sheet1448 Words   |  6 Pages1. The sociological perspective, as a way of thinking about the world, includes the sociological imagination from C. Wright Mills, the beginner’s mind from Bernard McGrane, and the idea of culture shock from anthropology. Explain what all three of these concepts have in common. Response: All three of these concepts have in common are the idea of breaking down social barriers to gain a different perspective on culture people and behaviors. When a person is in a new area where the culture is differentRead MoreHistorical Roots Of The 20th Century1329 Words   |  6 PagesSociological roots can be traced back in the works of thinkers like Plato, Aristotle, and Confucius. However, according to ‘classical origins’, it emerged in the early 19th century as a reaction to the challenges of modern society. Growing, belief in science, mobility and technical development brought crucial changes in the way people saw life, such as the collapse of traditional norms and loss of religion authority. Social scientists and thinkers of that time reacted to these changes and tried toRead MoreDurkheim s Theory Of Social Facts1071 Words   |  5 PagesAssignment 1 Introduction to Sociology SO1005 Q) Critically evaluate Durkheim’s theory of ‘Social Facts’ and how might it be used for a study of contemporary society. In this essay, I will go on to examine Durkheim’s theory of social facts from his book and evaluate how might it be used in contemporary society, ‘The Rules of Sociological Method.’ Durkheim is one of the pioneers of the functionalism and is considered to be one of the founders of classic sociology. Durkheim states that theRead MoreStructural Functionalism and Conflict Theory1541 Words   |  7 PagesStructural Functionalism amp; Conflict Theory Karl Marx and Max Weber were the first conflict theorists in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Following Marx and Weber were three mid-20th century conflict theorists: Lewis Coser, Ralf Dahrendorf, and Randall Collins. Coser draws his theoretical ideas from Simmel. Like Simmel, Coser maintains that conflict is healthy for society. In contrast, Dahrendorf combines theoretical ideas from Marx and Weber. Dahrendorf sees power as the main feature in allRead MoreMexican Society in the eyes of Karl Marx and Emile Durkheim1118 Words   |  5 Pagesto explore a current event in Mexican society and the influence of social media which we attempt to view through the eyes of both Karl Marx and Emile Durkheim. We will focus on Karl Marx’s conflict theory of capitalism and Emile Durkheim’s structural functionalism theory of dynamic density. Both theories remain relevant today, and a correlation exists regarding the effect of social media on egoistic versus altruistic states of ano mic suicide in present society. In summation of the article, the MexicanRead MoreSociology : A Sociological Perspective1292 Words   |  6 Pagesorder, disorder, and change. Three Main Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology Functional Perspective Conflict Perspective Symbolic Interactionist Perspective Functional Perspective Conflict perspective Symbolic interaction perspective Classical Sociology Auguste Comte- French Philosopher Founder of the discipline of Sociology Karl Marx- German Philosopher Was inspired by Hegelian Idea Emile Durkheim- French Sociologist Feared and Hated social disorders Max Weber- German Philosopher