GROUP 4

DISCIPLINE AND IDEAS IN SOCIAL SCIENCE

STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALISM

STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALISM
• A common analogy, popularized by Herbert Spencer, presents these parts of society as
"organs" as a whole.
• Functionalism addresses society as a whole in terms of the function of its constituent
elements; namely norms, customs, traditions and institutions

What is Structural Function functionalist perspective emphasize the enter connectedness

of society by focusing on how each part influences and is influence by other parts

TWO TYPES OF STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALISM

• FUNCTIONAL
• DYSFUNCTIONAL

To describe effect of social elements on society it is functional if they contribute social

estability again it is functional if they contribute to social estability and Dsyfunctional if
they discrupt social estability

ROBERT MERTON - identified two types of functions the Manifest Function, and Latent
Function.
• Manifest Functions - are consequences that are intended and commonly
recognized
• Latent Functions - are consequences that are unintended and often hidden.
Example: The money test function of the education is to transmit knowledge and skills to
society youth but public element reschool also serve as babysitters for employed parents
and colleges offer a place for young adults potential mates the babysitting and maid
selection functions are not intended or commonly recognized functions of education and
they are Latent Functions

ACCORDING TO MERTON THEY HAVE 5 SITUATIONS THAT WE ARE FACING

1. CONFORMITY
2. INNOVATION
3. RITUALISM
4. RETREATISM
5. REBELLION

-CONFORMITY - occurs when individual has the mains and desire to achieve
cultural goals and mains socialist into them.
-INNOVATION - occurs when the individuals perscribes to attained the
accepted of cultural golas but uses to do so in a novel or an acceptable
method.
-RITUALISM - occurs when an individual continues to do things as perscribes
by the society but for fits achievements of the goal.
-RETREATISM - is the rejection of both the mains and goals of society.
-REBELLION - is the combination of the rejection of societal goals and mains
and a substitution of other goals and mains.