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Structural Functionalism

Structural functionalism is a sociological theory that views society as a complex system of interconnected parts, each serving specific functions that contribute to social stability and equilibrium. Key institutions include economy, religion, politics, education, and family, with manifest and latent functions describing intended and unintended effects of social structures. The theory emphasizes the importance of the family, particularly the nuclear family, in socializing children and providing emotional security, while also addressing the dynamics of conformity, innovation, and dysfunctions within society.

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2 views

Structural Functionalism

Structural functionalism is a sociological theory that views society as a complex system of interconnected parts, each serving specific functions that contribute to social stability and equilibrium. Key institutions include economy, religion, politics, education, and family, with manifest and latent functions describing intended and unintended effects of social structures. The theory emphasizes the importance of the family, particularly the nuclear family, in socializing children and providing emotional security, while also addressing the dynamics of conformity, innovation, and dysfunctions within society.

Uploaded by

gianapartosa
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Structural

Functionalism
Function of body
stomach -Digest food
heart -To pump blood
Brain-process sensory stimuli
 Structural functionalism, or simply
functionalism, is essentially a
sociological theory that revolves
around the notion that a society is
composed of a system of
interconnected parts that have their
own particular functions.
 Functionalism views societal living as shaped
and guided by social structures, or patterns of
social relationships between groups or
individuals.
 Social structures formed among groups or
institutions are referred to as macrostructures,
which include religion, education, tradition, and
culture.
 Social structures established among individuals
or within groups that result in individual
interactions are called microstructures.
The effects of social
structures or their purpose
are called social functions.
Social structure Purpose

Education To shape the minds of the student.

Religion
To guide spiritual life
Respect

Obedient
Promote social values
Major
institution:
1. Economy
2. Religion
3. Politics
4. Education
5. family
 Manifest and Latent Functions
- Manifest function is the predicted,
intended, expected and knowable effect
of a social structure.
- Latent function is the unintended
outcome of social structure.
- MANIFEST AND LATENT FUNCTIONS BRING
ABOUT POSITIVE EFFECTS OR OUTCOMES.
Manifest and Latent Dysfunctions
- A manifest dysfunction is the
predicted, expected, and
knowable disruptions of a social
structure.
- MANIFEST AND LATENT
DYSFUNCTIONS BRING ABOUT
NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF
Structural Functionalism is a framework for
building theory that sees society as a complex
system whose parts work together to promote
solidarity and stability. Economy, religion, politics,
education, and family are to be considered groups
as a major institution. Individual and group
behavior, more often than not, serves a
FUNCTION for the larger society.

According to functionalism, society is a system of


interconnected parts that work together in
harmony to maintain a state of balance and social
equilibrium for the whole.
Functionalists’ perspectives emphasize the
interconnectedness of society by focusing on
how each part influences and is influenced by
other parts. Functionalists use the terms
functional and dysfunctional to describe the
effects of social elements on society. It is
functional if they contribute to social stability
and dysfunctional if they disrupt social stability.
Some aspects of society can be both functional
and dysfunctional. For example, crime is
dysfunctional because it is associated with
physical violence, loss of property, and fear.
Robert Merton identified two types of functions,
the manifest function, and latent function.
Manifest functions are consequences that are
intended and commonly recognized. In contrast,
latent functions are consequences that are
unintended and often hidden.
5 situation facing:
Conformity occurs when an individual has the means and desire to
achieve the cultural goals socialized into them.
Innovation occurs when an individual strives to attain the accepted
cultural goals but chooses to do so in a novel or unaccepted method.
Ritualism occurs when an individual continues to do things as prescribed
by society but forfeits the achievement of the goals.
Retreatism is the rejection of both the means and the goals of society.
Rebellion is a combination of the rejection of societal goals and means
and a substitution of other goals and means.
1. Differentiate Manifest function from latent function?
2. How can manifest and latent dysfunction affect social order?
3. How can an understanding of dysfunctions be productive?
FAMILY
Functionalist see the family as one of the essential blocks
for stable societies. They tend to see the nuclear family as
the ideal family for industrial societies and argue that it
performs positive functions such as socializing children and
providing emotional security for parents.
There are two main functionalist theorists of the Family:
1.George Peter Murdock
2.Talcott Parsons
Murdock argued that the nuclear family was universal and that
it performed four essential functions: establishing the sex
drive, reproduction, socialization of the young and economic
production.
1.Stable satisfaction of the sex drive- within monogamous
relationships, which prevents sexual jealousy.
2.The biological reproduction of the next generation- without
which society cannot continue.
3.Socialization of the young- teaching basic norms and values.
4.Meeting its members economic needs- producing food and
shelter.
Parsons developed the Functional Fit theory: In
pre industrial society families used to be
extended, but with industrialization, families
became nuclear because they fitted industrial
society
Parson has better.
a historical perspective on the evolution of the nuclear family. His
functional fit theory is that as society change, the type of family that fits that
society, and the functions it performs change. Over the last 200 years,
society has moved from pre- industrial to industrial and the main family
types has changed from the extended family to nuclear family. According to
although the nuclear family performs reduced functions, it is still the only
institution that can perform two core functions in society.-
Primary Socialization and Socialization of Adult Personalities.
Primary Socialization- The nuclear family is still
responsible for teaching children the norms and values
of the society. An important part of socialization
according to functionalist is the gender role
socialization. If primary socialization is done correctly
then boys learn to adopt the instrumental role
( breadwinner role) they go on to go out to work and
earns money. Girls learn to adopt the expressive role-
doing the caring work, housework and bringing up the
children.
The stabilization of adult personalities- it refers to
the emotional security which is achieved within a
marital relationship between two adults.
According to Parson working life in Industrial
society is stressful and the family is a place where
the working man can return and be de-stressed
by his wife, which reduces conflict in society. This
is known as the warm bath theory.
WHY DO SOME
FAMILIES BREAK
APART?

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