Functionalism | Society and Culture | MCAT | Khan Academy

Summary

Functionalism, rooted in Emile Durkheim's ideas, is a sociological perspective that views society as a complex system striving for equilibrium. It emphasizes the interconnected structures like institutions and social facts that fulfill societal needs and maintain stability. The theory highlights manifest functions, the intended roles of institutions, and latent functions, their unintended consequences. Despite its insights, functionalism has limitations in addressing individual importance and explaining social change and conflict.

Takeaways

• 🌐 **Functionalism Overview**: Functionalism, based on Emile Durkheim's ideas, is a macro-level approach to understanding society by examining its structures and how they contribute to societal stability.
• 🔍 **Societal Equilibrium**: Society is viewed as striving for equilibrium, where changes such as those triggered by companies like Amazon necessitate adaptations by local businesses to restore balance.
• 🏛️ **Institutions**: Institutions like education systems, financial institutions, and the military are structures that meet societal needs and are integral to functionalism.
• 🤔 **Social Facts**: Durkheim introduced 'social facts' as societal norms and ways of thinking that exist independently of individuals and exert a coercive influence over them.
• 📚 **Manifest Functions**: These are the intended and recognized consequences of institutions, such as schools educating students and businesses providing services.
• 🔄 **Latent Functions**: Unrecognized and unintended consequences of institutions, like schools facilitating social connections, are termed latent functions.
• 🧬 **Societal Interdependence**: Durkheim believed that as societies grow, individuals become more interdependent, necessitating specialized roles and mutual reliance for societal stability.
• 🌱 **Causes of Evolution**: Population growth within limited spaces is identified as a fundamental factor driving societal evolution and the development of specialized roles.
• 🔄 **Adaptation to Change**: In functionalism, changes in production, distribution, or coordination require institutions to adapt to maintain the stability of societal interdependence.
• ⚖️ **Critique of Functionalism**: The theory is criticized for its focus on institutions over individuals and its limited ability to explain social change and conflict, as it primarily models stability.

Q & A

What is functionalism in sociology?

Functionalism is a system of thinking in sociology based on the ideas of Emile Durkheim, which examines society from a large-scale perspective, focusing on the necessary structures that make up a society and how each part contributes to maintaining its stability.

How does functionalism view the concept of social equilibrium?

Functionalism sees society as heading toward an equilibrium, where each part of society, such as institutions and social facts, work together to maintain stability and balance.

What are some examples of institutions according to functionalism?

Institutions in functionalism include education systems, financial institutions, businesses, marriage laws, mass media, nongovernmental organizations, medicine, religion, the military, and police forces.

What are social facts in the context of functionalism?

Social facts are ways of thinking and acting formed by society that existed before any individual and will continue to exist after any individual is gone. They are unique objects that cannot be influenced by an individual and have a coercive effect over them.

Can you provide an example of a social fact as mentioned in the script?

One example of a social fact is the law, which is always present but often goes unnoticed until someone tries to break it or act against it.

What is the relationship between society and its structures according to functionalism?

Society is dependent on the structures that create it, similar to how a cell is dependent on its components. Each part of society has a specific function that contributes to the overall stability and equilibrium.

What are manifest functions in functionalism?

Manifest functions are the recognized and intended consequences of institutions, such as schools educating students to find good jobs and support the community, or businesses providing specialized services.

What are latent functions, and how do they differ from manifest functions?

Latent functions are the unrecognized and unintended consequences of institutions. They are often indirect effects, such as schools allowing students and professors to make social connections or businesses connecting people across societies.

How does functionalism explain the evolution of society?

Functionalism suggests that the evolution of society is caused by factors like population growth within a limited space, leading to specialization and mutual interdependence among individuals.

What is the role of social change in functionalism?

Social change is seen as a disturbance to the equilibrium of society. Institutions and structures adapt just enough to compensate for the change and maintain stability, ensuring the mutual interdependence of the community.

What are some criticisms of functionalism?

Functionalism has been criticized for focusing too much on institutions and not enough on the importance of individuals. It also struggles to explain social change and conflict, as it is primarily concerned with maintaining the equilibrium of society.