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What Is functionalism?
Functionalism is a theoretical perspective in sociology that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is concerned with understanding social institutions and practices in terms of their functions or contributions to society as a whole. Functionalism was influenced by the work of sociologists such as Emile Durkheim, Talcott Parsons, Robert Merton, and Kingsley Davis.
The most influential thinkers in functionalism:
Emile Durkheim, a French sociologist, is considered one of the founders of functionalism. He believed that social order and stability were necessary for a society to function properly. He argued that social institutions, such as religion, law, and education, served the function of maintaining social order and cohesion. Durkheim believed that society was like an organism, with different parts working together to ensure its survival.
Talcott Parsons, an American sociologist, further developed functionalism in the mid-20th century. He saw society as a complex system made up of interdependent parts. Parsons believed that social institutions performed functions that were necessary for the smooth functioning of society. He also developed the idea of social norms, which are rules and expectations that guide behavior in society.
Robert Merton, another American sociologist, contributed to functionalism by developing the concept of manifest and latent functions. Manifest functions are the intended and recognized consequences of social institutions, while latent functions are the unintended and often unrecognized consequences. For example, the manifest function of education is to teach students knowledge and skills, while a latent function may be socialization and the development of social networks.
Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore developed the functionalist theory of social stratification, which argues that social inequality is necessary for the functioning of society. They argued that certain roles in society, such as doctors and lawyers, required more training and education and therefore deserved higher pay and status.
There have been several influential works that have contributed to the development of functionalism as a theoretical perspective in sociology. Some of the most important works include:
"The Division of Labor in Society" by Emile Durkheim (1893): This book is considered a foundational work in sociology and is one of the earliest examples of functionalist theory. Durkheim argues that social order and stability are necessary for a society to function properly and that social institutions serve the function of maintaining this order.
"The Social System" by Talcott Parsons (1951): This book is a major work of functionalist theory and is considered one of the most important sociological works of the 20th century. Parsons develops a general theory of social action and argues that social institutions perform functions that are necessary for the smooth functioning of society.
"Social Theory and Social Structure" by Robert Merton (1949): This book develops the concept of manifest and latent functions, which is a key element of functionalist theory. Merton argues that social institutions have both intended and unintended consequences, and that these consequences can be either functional or dysfunctional for society.
"Some Principles of Stratification" by Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore (1945): This article develops the functionalist theory of social stratification, which argues that social inequality is necessary for the functioning of society. Davis and Moore argue that certain roles in society require more training and education and therefore deserve higher pay and status.
"The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism" by Max Weber (1905): Although Weber is not considered a functionalist sociologist, this book is often cited as an early example of functionalist theory. Weber argues that the Protestant work ethic was a key factor in the rise of capitalism, and that religious beliefs and practices serve the function of shaping economic behavior.
These works have had a significant impact on the development of functionalist theory and continue to be studied and debated by sociologists today.
Functionalism has been criticized for ignoring the ways in which social institutions can be sources of conflict and inequality. Critics argue that functionalism assumes that society is harmonious and stable, which is not always the case. However, functionalism has also had a significant influence on sociology and remains a prominent theoretical perspective.