Structural

Functionalism
 Table Of Contents
0 02 03
Structural
1 Social Social Functions
Functionalism Stability

04 05 06
Social Important Theorists Essential Learnings
Dysfunctions
 0
Structural Functionalism
1
The society is composed of structures that have
systems that are connected to one another, these
systems have a function or role that must be
maintained. Examples of these are family, religion,
education, government, economy and etc.
 STRUCTUR
FUNCTIONALIS
AL
Structural functionalism, or simply functionalism, is "a framework for
Msees society as a complex system whose parts work
building theory that
together to promote solidarity and stability". The structural-functional
approach is a perspective in sociology that sees society as a
complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and
stability. Education, for example, has several important functions in a
society, such as socialization, learning, and social placement.
In structural functionalism, individual institutions work together
in service of the whole.

For example, this image of a circular flow of money

through an economy demonstrates how something
that almost everyone can agree on, education, is
made into a goal. Of course, this only worked as long
as everyone was focused. If one group disagreed on
where society is going, then the whole thing falls
apart. These social bonds are very important.
Structural Functionalism is based on a systems model.
Conceptually, the political process can be depicted as
follows:
 For analytical purposes the political system is considered to be the nation-state, and
the environment is composed of the interactions of economic, social, and political
variables and events, both domestic and external.

The idea is that there are a number of actors in the national

political system (political parties, bureaucracies, the military, etc.)
and that the actions of all these actors affect each other as well as
the system.

The political analyst must determine the importance of these actors in a particular
political system. This is done by analyzing the functions performed by the various
actors. Any changes in the system also affect all the actors. The feedback
mechanisms allow for constantly changing inputs, as actors react to outputs.
According to Quexbook, people behave in different
ways in a society. Here are some Social Behavior
according to Quexbook, 2018.
 Talcott Parson (1902 - 1979) was an
American sociologist and functionalist who
was concerned with how elements of society
were functional for a society as well as social
order. His five pattern variables are
considered as five dichotomies to draw out
the contrasting values to which individuals
orient themselves in social interactions.
 Talcott
Parson’s Five
Pattern
Variables of
Rol
e
General Conceptual Diagram Durk et al. (2007)

The diagram below is a general conceptual diagram of

Structural functionalism. It shows that all of the different
organizations and institutions in society are interdependent.
When one institution in society changes, other
institutions accommodate that change by changing as well,
though the ultimate effect is to slow overall change.
 Specific Conceptual Diagram Durk et al. (2007)

Below is a chart depicting how deviance is functional for society and

how society responds to deviance. A "deviant" individual commits an
act that is deemed by the rest of society as criminal, because it leads to
public outrage and punishments. Because a large portion of society
respond to the action as though it is deviant, this draws a boundary
between what is and is not deviant. Thus, deviance actually helps to
indicate what is not deviant, or, the function of labelling behaviors or
ideas as deviance is to insure that most people do not engage in those
behaviors.
 02
Social Stability
The main objective of the theory is to
promote social stability and unity. The
institutions or systems that form the society
must have one direction and objective for it
to achieve success.
One of the perspectives of structural functionalism is to have progress,
justice, peace, and a sound economy and productive workforce. If it's
achieved, there will be social stability.

Social Stability can be achieved if the systems that made up the society
are responsible and function their role well.

If the systems didn't function well, a social issue or problems will occur
as the result of the disorganized and poor function of the institutions.
Examples of this are poverty, social injustices, low employment, and
poor reading skills.
 03
Social Functions
The effects of the social structures or their purpose are
called social functions. Every social structure has a
corresponding social function. This relationship between
social structures and social functions are the parts of the
system which structural functionalism identifies. Social
Functions can be divided into two: Manifest Function and
Latent Function.
Manifest Function
is the predicted, intended, expected, and knowable effect
of a social structure. People are conscious in the
occurrence of events

Latent Function
is the unintended outcome of social structure. People does
not exactly recognize the occurrence of an event.
 Example about
College Graduates:
Manifest Function: The Education system asses people to have
skills, knowledge, and experience during their student year.

Latent Function: The country will have an increase of experts

and manpower that are beneficial for a developing country like
Philippines.
 04
Social Dysfunctions
Social Dysfunctions are the obstacles that prevents the
society to achieve Its goal. Social Dysfunctions are the
social issues or problems that are outcome of the systems
not functioning properly. It can be divided into two:
Manifest Dysfunction and Latent Dysfunction.
Manifest Dysfunction
is the predicted, expected, and knowable
disruptions of a social structure.

Latent Dysfunction
is the unpredicted and unexpected disruptions of social
structures.
 Example about
Inflation:
Manifest Dysfunction: The prices of essential goods are
going to rise like foods, hygiene, and services.

Latent Dysfunction: The Economy will continue to decrease

making many people especially the poor unaccessible to the
daily necessity.
 05
Important Theorists
People that have contributed
forming and expanding the
structural functionalism.
Herbert Spencer
Herbert Spencer was the first
theorist of structural functionalism.
He also came up with the idea of
social equilibrium which according
to this, there is a need for a balance
in society where everyone who is a
part of it can adapt to the change that
is taking place, he compared the
social structure to a body part where
each one has its own functions.
Auguste Comte
Auguste is a French philosopher who
is also known as the father of
sociology. From him came
positivism where experience should
not be the basis but empirical
evidence is needed. He is known for
his analysis of social evolution in his
Law of Three Stages which is about
progressive cognitive thinking that
consists of Religious, Abstract, and
Scientific perspectives.
 Talcott Parson
Talcott Parson is an American sociologist
known for his great contribution to the
development of structural functionalism.
According to him, the structure of society is
made up of different systems that are divided
into 4. These are the Cultural system, social
system, personality system, and biological
system. According to him, the Cultural system
is formed in the partnership of people. The
personality system is the impact
of a person in society on what he does or
behavior. The social system is the understanding
of a person's role in society. And finally,
biological system is about the environment in
 Kinglsay Davis
and Wilbert Moore
Kinglsay Davis and Wilbert Moore are two
American sociologists known for the
functionalist theory of stratification.
According to their hypothesis, social
inequalities are necessary for society to
benefit the poor, the middle class, and the rich.
Kinglsay Davis and Wilbert Moore's
hypothesis is better known as the Davis-
Moore hypothesis. According to them,
hierarchy is needed in organizations and
institutions.
Robert Merton
Robert Merton is an American
sociologist who constructed a great
deal on functional theory. He
developed the concepts of manifest
and latent functions and dysfunction.
He created the concept of the manifest
which is the predicted and expected
effect. While latent is for the
unpredicted and unexpected effect. It
can be a function or dysfunction
which is also called the social issue.
 Gabriel Almond
and Bingham Powel

Gabriel Almond and Bingham

Powell are American political
scientists who applied structural
functionalism theory to comparative
politics.
 05
Essential Learnings
Take aways and learning about the
structural functionalism theory
The main idea in structural
functionalism is that the society is
made up of different components
such as institutions, services, and
people that work together and allow
the society to function. As body
parts have specific functions,
functionalism implies that all
structure in society have their own
purpose and specific functions.
Thank you!