Structural Functionalism

Structural
Functionalism
{ Talcott parsons
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Intellectual Background
 Functionalism is a system of thinking based on the ideas of Emile
Durkheim that looks at society from a large scale perspective .
 Durkheim pointed out that groups can be held together on two
contrasting bases: mechanical solidarity, a sentimental attraction
of social units or groups that perform different role
 Functionalism is explained by a number of classical sociologists.
 Functionalism developed by Talcott Parsons provided a bridge
between classical and modern sociology.
 . Other theorists of Durkheim’s period, notably Henry
Maine and Ferdinand Tönnies, made similar distinctionssimilar
functions.
A.R. Radcliffe-Brown, a British social anthropologist, gave the concept
of social structure a central place in his approach and connected it to the
concept of function
Along with Robert K. Merton and others, Parsons classified such

structures on the basis of their functions. This approach, called
structural-functional analysis (and also known as systems theory).
Parsons is influenced b the concepts on Herbert spencer, Emile

Durkheim, Talcott Parsons and Robert Merton(Classical sociology)
Only dominant sociological theory at that time (Marxian and weber’s

works were absent from sociological works).
Politically suited the American sociological concepts due to the cold war
and liberal or pluralist approaches , mainly to counter communism,
socialism or Marxism.
What is structural functionalism?
Society is a system of interconnected parts

(institutions) that work together in
harmony to maintain a state of balance and
social equilibrium
According to Talcott Parsons

“institutions, relationships, roles, and
norms that together constitute a society
serves a purpose, and each is indispensable
for the continued existence of the others
and of society as a whole”
Salient features
 Macro
 The focus is macro-sociological, with institutions and structures existing in the
society as a whole. Functionalist analysis looks on social systems as a system of
social structures (economic, legal, educational, gender structures).
 Institutions
 The structures that meet the needs of society i.e school ,media, government
agencies etc. A Institution exists due to its role in the society due to societal needs
When new needs are established, new institutions are created. The institutions are
interdependent and work together in integration.
 Functions
 The satisfaction of a need by individuals cooperate, use artifacts and
consume goods
 1.Manifest Functions:
 The intended function of a social institution.
 2.Latent Functions :
 The unintended consequence from manifest functions
 They can be Positive and Negative.
 Social structure
 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. It asserts that our lives are guided by social
structures, which are relatively stable patterns of social behavior.
 Value consensus
 Functionalists believe that a successful society is based on ‘value
consensus’ – people agree around a set of shared norms and values. This
value consensus enables people to co-operate and to work together to
achieve shared goals.
 Interdependence and equilibrium

 Functionalism attempts to explain the relationship of different parts
of the system to each other, and to the whole. The different parts are
usually in equilibrium, or moving toward equilibrium.
Evolutionary Change
Change tends to be orderly and evolutionary, rather than revolutionary
or with dramatic structural breaks. Conflicts or external factors
stimulate adjustment of the parts to move toward a new equilibrium.
Four Functional Paradigm
AGIL Model
 According to Parsons, each society is composed of a set of sub-systems
that differ according to their structure and functional meaning for the
wider community. Social life as a system requires the dependence of its
elements, which leads to social stability. Parsons stated four system
functions, called the "four function paradigm". Parsons called these four
functional paradigms as functional imperatives or prerequisites that
must be met for the system to work properly
 AGIL stands for :
Adaptation
Goal Attainment
Integration
latency
Parson’s name for each function (AGIL) Performed by what institutions?
Adapt to the environment and the

Adaptation
production of goods and services
Decide what goals society as a whole

Goal Attainment
should aim to achieve
Integration Achieve social cohesion
Latency (Pattern Maintenance) Socialise the young into shared values

criticism
 new challenges to the functionalist idea that a society's
survival depended on institutional practises brought an
end to structural functionalism's dominance in the 1960s.
 the most significant criticisms come from Robert K.

Merton (1968).The Three most criticized aspects :
o Indispensability
o Functional Unity
o Universal Functionalism
o Functionalism is Ideological – Functionalism is a conservative social theory
o Functionalism is a deterministic theory
o Functionalism exaggerates the extent of Value consensus and Social Order –

Parsons is criticized for assuming value consensus exists rather than actually
proving it
o Functionalism ignores conflict and coercion – Marxists argue that

mainstream social values are actually the values of elite groups, and thus
social order is imposed on the majority by a relatively small group of elite
actors.
 In light of such criticism of structural functionalism, some sociologists

proposed a “conflict sociology,” which held that dominant institutions
repress weaker groups and that conflict pervades all of society, including the
family, the economy, polity, and education The neo-Marxist
perspective(conflict sociology) gained prominence in the United States with
the social turmoil of the civil rights movement and the antiwar movement of
the 1960s and ’70s.

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Structural

Along with Robert K. Merton and others, Parsons classified such

Parsons is influenced b the concepts on Herbert spencer, Emile

Only dominant sociological theory at that time (Marxian and weber’s

Society is a system of interconnected parts

According to Talcott Parsons

 Interdependence and equilibrium

 AGIL stands for :

Adapt to the environment and the

Decide what goals society as a whole

Integration Achieve social cohesion

Latency (Pattern Maintenance) Socialise the young into shared values

 the most significant criticisms come from Robert K.

o Functionalism is a deterministic theory

o Functionalism exaggerates the extent of Value consensus and Social Order –

o Functionalism ignores conflict and coercion – Marxists argue that

 In light of such criticism of structural functionalism, some sociologists

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