STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALISM explained in two minutes

Summary

Structural functionalism is a theory that views society as a collection of interconnected structures, each with a specific function that contributes to the overall functioning of society. Influenced by anthropologist Malinowski, who emphasized long-term fieldwork over colonial accounts, the theory highlights the rationality behind cultural practices, such as the exchange of shell necklaces in Papua New Guinea. Although criticized for neglecting social change and historical context, the approach made significant contributions by emphasizing the importance of context in understanding cultural practices and seeing them as adaptive mechanisms.

Takeaways

• 😀 Structural functionalism is a sociological theory that likens society to a living organism with interdependent structures, each fulfilling its unique function.
• 😀 The theory suggests that different social structures (like family, religion, and the economy) each serve specific roles that contribute to the overall functioning of society.
• 😀 The concept of structural functionalism was popularized by Bronisław Malinowski, a Polish-born British anthropologist, who revolutionized anthropology with his emphasis on fieldwork.
• 😀 Malinowski argued for the importance of direct engagement with people in the field, rather than relying on second-hand accounts, which was the norm at the time.
• 😀 Malinowski's work in Papua New Guinea, particularly his study of the kula ring (an exchange system), demonstrated how people engage in risky, long-distance exchanges to maintain political authority and prestige.
• 😀 The kula ring, where people exchanged shell necklaces, became a model for understanding how economic and social behaviors are rational decisions tied to cultural values.
• 😀 Structural functionalism has been credited with moving anthropology away from viewing cultures as 'primitive' and instead recognizing that cultural practices make sense within their own context.
• 😀 Despite its contributions, structural functionalism is criticized for not adequately addressing social change or historical processes.
• 😀 The approach also tended to view the people being studied as 'simple' or 'savage,' terms that are now considered outdated and offensive in contemporary anthropology.
• 😀 The legacy of structural functionalism lies in its emphasis on long-term fieldwork and the view that societies are cohesive systems where every part serves a purpose.

Q & A

What is structural functionalism?

Structural functionalism is a theory that views society as made up of several important structures, each fulfilling its own function, similar to how vital organs in the body contribute to the functioning of the whole organism.

How does structural functionalism relate to society?

In the context of society, structural functionalism suggests that social structures such as family, religion, and the economy all serve specific functions and work together to maintain the stability and functioning of society.

Who is Malinowski, and what did he contribute to structural functionalism?

Bronislaw Malinowski, a Polish-born British anthropologist, is credited with making fieldwork the norm in anthropology. He emphasized the importance of direct interaction with people, as opposed to relying on second-hand accounts, and viewed culture as an adaptive mechanism that helps people meet their basic needs.

What is Malinowski's best-known work?

Malinowski's best-known work is on the Kula ring, a network of exchange among several islands in Papua New Guinea, where people exchanged shell necklaces to maintain political authority and prestige.

What role does rational decision-making play in Malinowski's findings?

Malinowski found that rational decision-making underlies the behavior of people, whether in Papua New Guinea or other regions like the UK, showing that their actions were driven by practical and logical considerations.

What was the primary contribution of structural functionalism to anthropology?

The primary contribution of structural functionalism was the idea that culture makes sense on its own terms, and people engage in behaviors because they work for them within their specific context. It also emphasized the need for long-term fieldwork in anthropology.

What were some of the shortcomings of structural functionalism?

Some criticisms of structural functionalism include its failure to address history or social change and its tendency to view the cultures studied as 'simple,' 'primitive,' or 'savage,' which are problematic terms in modern anthropology.

How did structural functionalists view the people they studied?

Structural functionalists often saw the people they studied as primitive or simple, but they also acknowledged that their cultural practices made sense in their specific context, a more progressive approach compared to previous perspectives.

Why was Malinowski's approach to fieldwork revolutionary at the time?

Malinowski's approach was revolutionary because he advocated for direct engagement with people through long-term fieldwork rather than relying on second-hand accounts, which was the common practice in anthropology at the time.

How did structural functionalism change the way anthropologists viewed cultures?

Structural functionalism shifted the perspective from seeing cultures as primitive or inferior to understanding that cultures are adaptive and logical within their own context. This approach emphasized cultural relativism and the importance of viewing cultures from within.