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Structural Functionalism
Structural Functionalism
Structural- Symbolic
functionalism
Marxism Interactionism
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Theory
A theory is a statement of how and why
specific facts are related. Theories explain
social behavior in the real world
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“theoretical
perspective” or ”basic
assumptions”
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Essential Questions
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STRUCTURAL-FUNCTIONAL
THEORY
✣ Émile Durkheim
✣ Talcott Parsons
✣ Robert K.
Merton
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STRUCTURAL-FUNCTIONAL
THEORY
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STRUCTURAL-FUNCTIONAL
THEORY
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SOCIAL STRUCTURE
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SOCIAL FUNCTIONS
A function is a complex of
activities directed towards
meeting a need or needs of
the system.
All social structures, from a simple
handshake to complex religious rituals,
function to keep society going, at least in
its present form.
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How did Talcott Parsons explain
Functionalism?
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Talcott parsons maintained that
any social system can be analysed in
terms of the functional prerequisites he
identified. Thus, all parts of society
can be understood with reference
to the functions they perform.
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4 Basic Functional Prerequisites of Functionalism:
AGIL Model
LATENCY
ADAPTATION
Creating,
Acquiring and preserving, and
mobilizing INTEGRATION
transmitting the
sufficient Maintaining system’s
resources so solidarity or distinctive
that the GOAL coordination culture and
system can ATTAINMENT among the values.
survive. Setting and subunits of the
implementing system.
goals.
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VALUE CONSENSUS
SOCIAL SOLIDARITY
SOCIALIZATION
SOCIAL CONTROL
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How did Durkheim explain
Functionalism?
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What are the 2
types of social
solidarity Durkheim
believed in?
There are two types of social
solidarity Durkheim believed in:
Mechanical Solidarity
These societies have Organic Solidarity
people involved in As society develops, a
similar roles so labor division of labor occurs.
division is simple. This is when work
becomes separate from
the home and the state
organizes education,
health care and criminal
justice systems.
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Robert K. Merton (1910-2003)
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Manifest vs Latent
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Social Dysfunction
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How does the Structural-Functional
theory help me understand how society
works?
How will I apply this to my life?
Is this enough to explain how society
works?
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Mr. Keating in Dead Poets Society (1989)
“We don't read and write poetry
because it's cute. We read and
write poetry because we are
members of the human race. And
the human race is filled with
passion. And medicine, law,
business, engineering, these are
noble pursuits and necessary to
sustain life. But poetry, beauty,
romance, love, these are what we
stay alive for.”
Any questions?
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homework
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