Post on 14-Apr-2018
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Functionalism
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Functionalism
Reigned as the dominant theoretical
perspective.
Often referred to as structural
functionalism
Two leading functionalist
Talcott Parsons
Robert Merton
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Intellectual Roots of Functionalism
The most significant forerunners of
functionalism were:
Auguste Comte
Herbert Spencer
Emile Durkheim
Max Weber
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Auguste Comte (1789-1857)
Science relies upon empirical
knowledge.
Through his notions of social statistics
and social dynamics he established adirection for social research.
Through social statics Comte
maintained that units of investigation
were the individual, family, society andthe species.
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Auguste Comte (1789-1857)
Social dynamics, which today is known as
social change.
Organic Analogy
Described the social structure as
Elements (families)
Tissues (classes)
Organs (cities)
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Herbert Spencer (1820-1903)
Influenced by Von Baer.
Acknowledged the role of
environmental variablesin social organizationSuper Organism (society)
The Organism (body)
Concept of differentiationis very important.
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Herbert Spencer (1820-1903)
Process of growth is a process of
integration.
In 1898 argued that societies change from
incoherent homogeneity to definite
heterogeneity.
Premodern Societies vs. Modern Societies
Social institutions arise from structural
requirements.
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Emile Durkheim (1858-1917)
His study on suicide rateswas recognized for one ofthe most importantprograms of research inthe last generation.
Theory supported byempirical data provideslegitimacy.
Validity of a structuralfunctioning system isneeded.
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Emile Durkheim (1858-1917)
His sociology maintained a focus on structural analysisrather than individual action.
Shared Comtes functionalist, evolutionary and positive
premises.
Functionalism was the idea that society is a system.
Interested in how societies change over time.
Crime and deviance serve a functional role in society.
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Max Weber (1864-1920)
He caught Parsons interest by
his spiritual orientation.
Stated that Protestant ethic wasresponsible for rise of the spirit
of capitalism.
His analysis marked the 1
st
major development in
systematic discrimination.
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Linguistics and the Anthropoligical
Tradition
Ferdinand de Saussure
(1857-1913)
Saussure was a Swiss
linguist who was very
significant in the
development of
functionalism.
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Ferdinand de Saussure (1857-1913)
Distinction between Langue and Parole
Langue
Formal, grammatical system of language
Meaning of words can be alteredEx: the word gay once meant happy; now it also means
homosexual.
Parole
Actual speech such as facial expressions and bodylanguage.
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Anthropologists who influenced
functionalism: Clause Levi-Strauss
A.R. Radcliffe-Brown
Bronislaw Malinowski
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Claude Levi-Strauss
Applied structuralism
more broadly to all
forms of
communication.
Major innovation was
to reconceptualized
social phenomena.
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A.R. Radcliffe-Brown
Organismic
analogizing presents
teleological
implications.
Attempted to
eliminate problems.
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Bronislaw Malinowski
Malinowski and
Radcliffe-Brown both
committed to scientific
methodology.
Focused attention of
existing societies.
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Defining Functionalism
A macro sociological theory that examinessocial patterns and structures.
Views society as having interrelated parts.
Explains social change by variables such aspopulation growth and increased technology.
Two basic assumptions:1) Idea of interdependent parts
2) Consensus of values.
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Talcott Parsons (1902-1979)
One of the most
prominent theorists of
his time.
Attempted to
generate a grand
theory of society.
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Robert Merton (1910-2003)
Raised in SouthPhiladelphia slum.
Merton was not the
family name, hechanged his namefrom Meyer R.Schkolnick.
Received B.A. fromTemple Universityand doctorate fromHarvard.
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Robert Merton (1910-2003)
Always stressed importance of empiricalresearch.
Goal was to keep functional assumptions
to a minimum.His functionalist theories are middle-
range variety.
Despite differences, Parsons and Mertonare known as the leaders of the structuralfunctionalism school of thought.
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Theories of the Middle Range
Merton felt grand theories were tooabstract.
Middle range is principally used to guide
empirical inquiry.They are functionalist theories that consist
of limited sets of assumptions.
Durkheims Suicide and WebersProtestant Ethic and the Spirit ofCapitalism are examples.
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Theories of the Middle Range
Role sets are an important element.
For Merton, the term function does notmean the same thing as purpose.
Merton promoted a process referred to ascodification.
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Anomie Theory
Initially developed by Durkheim.
The success goal in American culture leads many
feelings of anomie.
It is the conflict between cultural goals andavailability of institutional means.
Theory on the study of social deviance.
Two most important elements of structures:
(1) culturally defined goals
(2) Institutionalized Means
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Merton described five types of individual
adaptations
1) Conformity
2) Innovation
3) Ritualistics
4) Retreatism
5) Rebellion
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Manifest and Latent Functions
Merton came to distinguish between two
usages for the word function:
1) Manifest Functions
-consequences that are expected
2) Latent Functions
-consequences that are not intended
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Dysfunctions
A performance with disruptingconsequences.
Dysfunctional events lessen the effectiveequilibrium of society.
Mertons concept of dysfunctions is centralto his argument that functionalism is notconservative.
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Empirical Research
Different research methods are necessary
for different empirical problems.
Consistently drew links between theory
and research.
For Merton theorizing was always
important.
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Neofunctionalism and Post Functionalism
Well known neofunctionalists:
Niklas Luhmann
Anthony Giddens
Jeffrey C. Alexander
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Niklas Luhmann (1927-1998)
In 1949 received a lawdegree at theUniversity of Freiburg.
Spent a year studyingunder Parsons.
Witnessed firsthandhis countrys defeat
and concluded thatmodern society wasnot a better place tolive.
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Niklas Luhmann (1927-1998)
Argued that modern world is too
complex.
Very difficult to read his work.
Stressed the importance of grand theory.
Described general systems theory as
having two important elements:1) Distinction of the whole
2) The concept of self-referential systems
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Niklas Luhmann (1927-1998)
His focus remains on the system not theindividual.
Social systems consist primarily ofcommunication networks.
Created a communication theory thatstressed human communication asreflexive.
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Anthony Giddens (1938-present)
Few theorists have
been as productive.
Produced 31 books
and more than 200articles.
Takes a postmodernist
point of view.
Believes classical
ideas must be repaired
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Anthony Giddens (1938-present)
Referred to his approach as the theory of
structuration.
Views social systems as continuous flows of
conduct in time and space. For years has been working in area of
globalization.
Three key areas of power:
1) Government2) Economy
3) Communities of Civil Society
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Jeffrey C. Alexander and
Neil Smelser
Alexander is credited
with coining term
neofunctionalism.
Views
neofunctionalism as
part of the
evolutionary growth.
Smelser is considered
a top level theorist in
neofunctionalism.
Believes people seekto avoid experience of
ambivalence.
Ambivalence refers to
such phenomena as
death and seperation.
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Relevancy
Every sociologist is a functionalist becausesociology IS functionalism.
Functionalism fails to explain social change.
Functionalism fails to explain most importantterms:
1) Structure
2) Function
3) Social system Safe to say functionalists approach will remain
around for many years to come.