Structural Functionalism Flashcards
Émile Durkheim (1858-1917)
“The Division of Labour in Society” (1893): Mechanical/ organic solidarity.
Functionalism.
Methodological Innovations: Durkheim’s commitment to systematic observation, comparative analysis, and the use of quantitative data to study social phenomena.
“The Elementary Forms of Religious Life” (1912), provided a framework for understanding the social functions of religious beliefs and practices.
Alfred Radcliffe-Brown (1881-1955)
“Andaman Islanders” (1922): men engaged in hunting and fishing activities, women were responsible for tasks such as gathering wild fruits and roots, preparing meals, and caring for children = ensured the efficient utilisation of resources and the provision of essential goods and services; Matrilineal clans; Marriage serves to create and maintain social alliances and networks
E.E. Evans-Pritchard (1902-1973)
“The Nuer” (1940), E.E. Evans-Pritchard: Segmentary Lineage System = in times of conflict, individuals can call upon members of their lineage for support, which reinforces solidarity within the group, integrating individuals into larger social units and organising political and military alliances; Absence of centralised authority figures like chiefs, instead based on kinship and age-set systems = social order is maintained through the segmentary lineage system and the age-set system where young men are initiated into age grades and gain social status as they age; Herding, trading, and rituals bring individuals and groups together, fostering cooperation and mutual dependence; Exchange of cattle through bride-wealth, compensation, and ritual sacrifices regulates social relations and reinforces social hierarchies, maintaining clear social structures and roles, ensuring the smooth functioning of their society; Continuity and Stability: The importance of cattle in various aspects of Nuer life contributes to the continuity and stability of their social system; Cyclical nature of cattle transactions—birth, growth, exchange, and sacrifice—ensures that social and economic activities are perpetuated across generations = continuity reinforces the cultural values and traditions of the Nuer, ensuring resilience and adaptability in the face of external pressures.
