Structural Functionalism (from Chapter 1)

Question 1

Who are the key representatives?

Answer 1

1. Émile Durkheim
2. Robert Merton
3. Talcott parsons

Question 2

What does structural functionalism use?

Answer 2

Uses organic or biological analogy for society
- identifies the various structures of society (e.g. the family), and describes the functions the structure performs to maintain the entire social system and produce cohesion

Question 3

What does structural functionalism focus on?

Answer 3

Focuses on explaining social forms and their contributions to social cohesion during conflict and social change
- this approach is less used amongst practising sociologists

Question 4

Who was Émile Durkheim?

Answer 4

• one of the founders of sociology
• coined the term social fact

Question 5

What is a social fact?

Answer 5

• Social facts are patterned ways of acting, thinking, and feeling that exist outside of any one individual but exert social control over people
• Social facts allow sociologists to examine larger forms rather than focusing on individuals

Question 6

What are the three essential characteristics every social fact has?

Answer 6

1. It was developed prior to and separate from you as an individual
2. It can be seen as a characteristic of a particular group
3. It involves a constraining or coercing force that pushes individuals into acting in a particular way

Question 7

What is an anomie?

Answer 7

Durkheim’s term for a societal state of breakdown or confusion, or a more personal one based on an individual’s lack of connection or contact with society

Question 8

Who was Robert K. Merton?

Answer 8

Merton was a major contributor to functionalist thinking, he identified the three types of functions

Question 9

what are the three types of functions Merton identified?

Answer 9

1. Manifest functions - intended and readily recognized
   - E.g. religion fulfills spiritual and emotional needs
2. Latent functions - unintended and unrecognized
   - E.g religion creates a support network
3. Latent Dysfunctions - unintended and produce socially negative consequences
   - E.g religion provides justification for judging outsiders negatively