Structural functionalism
Structural Functionalism
Content Parsons: Functional Imperatives, Structure of the general action System and Pattern variables Merton: Clarifying functional analysis, Dysfunctions, and Manifest and Latent functions
Content • Parsons: Functional Imperatives , Structure of the General Action System and Pattern Variables • Merton: Clarifying functional analysis, Dysfunctions, and Manifest and Latent functions
The debate between consensus theories and conflict theories Consensus theories see shared norms and values as fundamental to society focus on socialorder based on tacit agreements, and view social change as occurring in a slow and orderly fashion. In contrast, conflict theories emphasize the dominance of some social groups by others, see social order as based on manipulation and control by dominant groups, and view social change as occurring rapidly and in a disorderly fashion as subordinate groups overthrow dominant groups Representatives of the debate: Marx and Comte, Simmel and Durkheim Dahrendorf and Parsons
The debate between “consensus theories and conflict theories • Consensus theories see shared norms and values as fundamental to society ,focus on social order based on tacit agreements, and view social change as occurring in a slow and orderly fashion. In contrast, conflict theories emphasize the dominance of some social groups by others, see social order as based on manipulation and control by dominant groups, and view social change as occurring rapidly and in a disorderly fashion as subordinate groups overthrow dominant groups. • Representatives of the debate: Marx and Comte, Simmel and Durkheim, Dahrendorf and Parsons
Function and functional imperatives Function a function is a complex of activities directed towards meeting a need or needs of the system Functional imperatives There are four functional imperatives that are necessary for all systems-adaptation(a), goal attainment(G), integration (I), and latency (L),or pattern maintenance
Function and functional imperatives • Function A function is a complex of activities directed towards meeting a need or needs of the system • Functional imperatives There are four functional imperatives that are necessary for all systems—adaptation(A), goal attainment(G), integration(I), and latency(L),or pattern maintenance
A set of assumptions of structural functionalism Systems have the property of order and interdependence of parts System tend toward self-maintaining order, or equilibrium The system may be static or involved in an ordered process of change The nature of one part of the system has an impact on the form that the other state of equilibrium of system Systems maintain boundaries with environments Allocation and integration are two fundamental processes necessary for a given state of equilibrium of a system System tend toward self-maintenance involving the maintenance of boundaries and of the relationship of parts to the whole, control of environmental variations, and control of tendencies to change the system
A set of assumptions of Structural functionalism • Systems have the property of order and interdependence of parts • System tend toward self-maintaining order, or equilibrium. • The system may be static or involved in an ordered process of change. • The nature of one part of the system has an impact on the form that the other state of equilibrium of system. • Systems maintain boundaries with environments. • Allocation and integration are two fundamental processes necessary for a given state of equilibrium of a system. • System tend toward self-maintenance involving the maintenance of boundaries and of the relationship of parts to the whole, control of environmental variations, and control of tendencies to change the system
Structure of the general action System Adaptation: a system must cope with external situational exigencies. It must adapt to its environment and adapt the environment to its needs Cultural Social Goal attainment: a system must System System define and achieve its primary goals Integration: a system must regulate the interrelationship ofits component parts. It also must manage the relationship among the Behavioral Personality other three functional imperatives Organism System atency (pattern maintenance): a system must furnish, maintain and A G renew both the motivation of individuals and the cultural patterns that create and sustain that motivation
Structure of the General Action System L Cultural System I Social System Behavioral Organism A Personality System G • Adaptation: a system must cope with external situational exigencies. It must adapt to its environment and adapt the environment to its needs. • Goal attainment: a system must define and achieve its primary goals. • Integration: a system must regulate the interrelationship of its component parts. It also must manage the relationship among the other three functional imperatives • Latency (pattern maintenance): a system must furnish, maintain, and renew both the motivation of individuals and the cultural patterns that create and sustain that motivation
Society and its Subsystems Adaptation: The economy is the subsystem that performs the function for society of adapting to the environment through labor production, and allocation Fiduciary Societal Goal attainment: The polity(or political System Community system) performs the function of goal attainment by pursuing societal objectives and mobilizing actors and resources to Integration: The integration function is performed by the societal community Economy (law), which coordinates the various com ponents of society A Latency(pattern maintenance): The fiduciary system(schools, family) handles the latency function by transmitting culture to actors and allowing it to be internalized by them
Society and its Subsystems L Fiduciary System I Societal Community Economy A Polity G • Adaptation: The economy is the subsystem that performs the function for society of adapting to the environment through labor, production, and allocation. • Goal attainment: The polity(or political system) performs the function of goal attainment by pursuing societal objectives and mobilizing actors and resources to that end. • Integration: The integration function is performed by the societal community (law), which coordinates the various components of society • Latency (pattern maintenance): The fiduciary system (schools, family) handles the latency function by transmitting culture to actors and allowing it to be internalized by them
Pattern variables Pattern variables are" the principle tools of structural analysis outlining the derivation of these categories from the intrinsic logic of social action --the inherent dilemmas of choice facing actors". Parsons argues that there are a strictly limited and defined set of alternatives or choices that can be made, and the relative primacies given to choices constitute the"patterning of relational institutions These choices or alternatives are called orientation-selection
Pattern Variables • Pattern variables are ''the principle tools of structural analysis outlining the derivation of these categories from the intrinsic logic of social action -- the inherent dilemmas of choice facing actors'' . Parsons argues that there are a strictly limited and defined set of alternatives or choices that can be made, and the relative primacies given to choices constitute the ''patterning of relational institutions.'' These choices or alternatives are called orientation-selection
Affectivity Vs. Affective- neutrality There are five pattern variables of role-definition that Parsons discusses, although he says that there are many more possibilities. The first is the gratification-discipline dilemma affectivity vs. affective-neutrality The dilemma here is in deciding whether one expresses their orientation in terms of immediate gratification(affectivity) or whether they renounce immediate gratification in favor of moral interests(affective neutrality). parsons says, "no actor can subsist without gratifications, while at the same time no action system can be organized or integrated without the renunciation of some gratifications which are available in the given situation
Affectivity vs. Affective-neutrality • There are five pattern variables of role-definition that Parsons discusses, although he says that there are many more possibilities. The first is the gratification-discipline dilemma: affectivity vs. affective-neutrality. The dilemma here is in deciding whether one expresses their orientation in terms of immediate gratification (affectivity) or whether they renounce immediate gratification in favor of moral interests (affectiveneutrality). parsons says, ''no actor can subsist without gratifications, while at the same time no action system can be organized or integrated without the renunciation of some gratifications which are available in the given situation''
Self-orientation vs Collectivity orientation The second set of pattern variables of role-definition are the private vs. collective interest dilemma: self- orientation vs. collectivity orientation. In this case, one' s role orientation is either in terms of her private interests or in terms of the interests of the collectivity. Parsons explains, a role, then, may define certain areas of pursuit of private interests as legitimate, and in other areas obligate the actor to pursuit of the common interests of the collectivity he primacy of the former alternative may be called self-orientation, "that of the latter, collectivity orientation
Self-orientation vs. Collectivity orientation. • The second set of pattern variables of role-definition are the private vs. collective interest dilemma: selforientation vs. collectivity orientation. In this case, one's role orientation is either in terms of her private interests or in terms of the interests of the collectivity. Parsons explains, ''a role, then, may define certain areas of pursuit of private interests as legitimate, and in other areas obligate the actor to pursuit of the common interests of the collectivity. The primacy of the former alternative may be called ''self-orientation,'' that of the latter, ''collectivityorientation''
