Structural Functionalism Flashcards
Classic to Contemporary Theory
Rise of American Sociology & Chicago School (practical, less theoretical)
Incorporation of classical social theory into American sociology
Rise and dominance of structural functionalism (grand theory)
Talcott Parsons: Biography
1902-1979
Translated Weber for American audiences
Dominant figure of American sociology til 1970
Talcott Parsons: “Grand Theory” components
Social action is any meaningful human social behavior (Weber)
The Action System
- systems are orderly & independent
- systems tend toward equilibrium
AGIL functions
- Adaptation (adapt to environment)
- Goal Attainment (personality system controls goals)
- Integration (social system)
- Latency (cultural system–reproducing symbols & values over time)
Talcott Parsons: Grand Theory: Hierarchy Diagram
SEE NOTES
Talcott Parsons: Grand Theory: Social System
Status-role structure (norms/obligations/script, social location like a student role)
Relationship between actors & social system:
- socialization (internal–into roles)
- social control (external–enforce becoming roles–punishments and rewards)
Functions: AGIL
- A: Economy
- G: Polity
- I: Societal Community (laws, civic religion–components that attach us to larger society)
- L: Fiduciary (schools/families pass on values & symbols)
Talcott Parsons: Grand Theory: Cultural System
Patterned system of symbols & values
Available to social & personality systems
- norms for the social system (statuses; values influence norms)
- internalization in the personality system (values are internalized)
Talcott Parsons: Grand Theory: Personality System
Need-dispositions (derived from social & cultural systems–NOT drives) motivate all human social action
- internalized values from culture
- role expectations
Talcott Parsons: Grand Theory: Behavioral Organism/System
- Provides energy for other systems (most directly personality)
- basis of fundamental biological drives
- primarily based on genetic constitution
Talcott Parsons: Evolutionary Theory
Differentiation: How societies change
- ex church & state, or education from informal to formal
- adaptive upgrading: new institutions become better/more specialized, society becomes more complex
Integration: how to put systems together?
- ascription vs achievement
- value systems–larger societies get more generalized/less particular
Stages (level of differentiation):
- Primitive (no written language)
- Intermediate (archaic)
- Modern
Critique:
- still does not specify what actually causes change–PEOPLE
Criticisms of Structural Functionalism
Conservative bias: change is bad, gender roles are good cos defines roles
Too abstract: no connection to concrete areas of inquiry
Teleological Fallacy: does “society” have goals/values/purposes? no PPL do
Over-socialized conception of actor: ppl just product of society
Robert Merton
Functionalist–but concerned abt “unintended consequences”
Robert Merton: Middle-Range Theories
Tied to empirical problem
Between Grand Theory and hypothesis
Robert Merton: Criticisms of Existing Functional Analysis
Are all parts really necessary? That’s an empirical question
Robert Merton: Functions
Manifest (Calvin: degree) vs Latent (Calvin: marriage)
Unanticipated consequences
Robert Merton: Dysfunctions & Nonfunctions
Nonfunction: holdover from previous system–ex “bless you”
