functionalism

Sociology is the study the different aspects of humanity and society. It encompasses a very broad and varying range of topics. It can be studied on a large world-wide scale spanning across several countries, which is called Macrosociology. It can also be studied on a small scale looking at only individual families or neighborhoods, which is called Microsociology. Not only does it peer into humans’ interactions with each other but examines why they act the way they do. It considers the environment, as well as how access to different luxuries can contribute to the people that we become. In this fascinating field there are three primary views on exactly what the fundamental driving force behind society is. Symbolic Interactionalism, the belief that symbols and the meaning that they are given, define how we will perceive life, in this philosophy these meanings are influenced by society and the events of individual lives. Functional Analysis, views society as any other organism, in this theory all parts of the whole must work together cohesively to function. Conflict theory takes a somewhat opposite view than Functionalism, this perspective suggests that rather than wanting to work in unison, society’s underlying motive is a power struggle for resources. Over the course of this paper the reader will explore these different perspectives.

The story I choose to review was about Maurice Rowland, and Miguel Alvarez they both worked at Valley Springs manor assisted living home, Marice was a cook , and Miguel was a janitor. In October the company decided to shut down, and this left many of the elderly residents with nowhere to go. I choose this story because I am a nursing assistant at Bethany Village. I could not imagine leaving so many elderly people abandon and hopeless! I think what these two did was absolutely amazing! they spent three days taking care of these residents, and doing anything from giving them baths, and changing them, to administering their medications. I believe this story falls best under functionalism because both of these men fall under a category of contributing

Functionalism is a macro theory, which is based on society as a whole, rather than just that of the individual. It is argued that functionalism generates many things for society. Religion, from a functionalist point of view, socialises people, teaching them norms and values of society, which are the basis for social unity. Religion further is a structure within functionalism which aids in influencing individuals lives. Functionalism claims that social solidarity, the uniting of people in society is an important part of maintaining social order, which is a functional pre-requisite for society to survive. In addition, Functionalists use the term, ‘Organic Analogy’,

Functionalists believe that society is based on a value consensus into which society socialises its members, which enables to cooperate harmoniously and meet society’s needs and goals.

Parsons contributed to the development of functionalism, as he saw society as a system made up of linking establishments which played a role in the smooth running and continuity. He also said that the main role of an institution was for

Moreover, Societies are held together by both consensus with values and coercion. The functionalist view is that the balance of harmony among the society is held up by societal institutions. For example, schools, church and family are seen as the most significant foundation for an adequately functional society.

Functionalists argue that societies consist of inter-related social institutions such as schools, mass media, political systems, the Church and the family each of which contribute positively to the maintenance of stability of society as a whole. Broadly speaking it is assumed by functionalists that societies operate in the interests of all of their members so that there is no reason for fundamental conflict in society. Instead there is a high degree of consensus that societies are organised efficiently and relatively fairly.

To fully understand the sociological implications of the issue on government surveillance, it is critical to examine the social problem using Structural Functionalism Theory, and Conflict Theory. Structural Functionalism explains the issue on government surveillance by viewing the society as a living organism with "organs," or social institutions, that work together to keep the society stable. The social institution that is closely related to the issue on surveillance is the government. In a different perspective, Conflict Theory explains the social problem by looking at the society as an entity that constantly changes due to conflicting values.

Talcott Parsons, a functionalist sociologist who elaborated on Durkheim’s work about society and its functions, claimed that society is like an organism, in particular, the human body. He argued that all institutions, such as the family and the education system, within society function together to maintain society just as the organs within a human body work together to maintain life. In particular, Parsons identified three similarities between the human body and society; he claimed that they were both systems within themselves – all the parts of a body and the institutions within society fit together in fixed ways. He also identified that these ‘systems’ have needs – the human body needs nutrition to help it sustain life, whereas society needs adequate socialisation in order for society to continue functioning in the way that it does. Parsons also stated that both the human body and society have functions – the functions of the systems within the human body ensure that the body’s needs are meet thus maintaining life; whereas, in society, the economy functions to maintain the social system. As parsons’ analogy helps sociologists to better understand the way in which institutions in society work

The functionalist method to sociology is best known for comparing society to the human body. The different institutions in society each have special offers to produce just as the body works through the structured interrelationship of basic organs, like the lungs, heart and liver. They use tactics of social control to deal distribute with abnormal members or groups, and they also work together. As a psychological approach, Talcott Parsons performed an important job in the growth of functionalism. He views society as a system that consists of consistent institution, He believed the major job of an institution was to socialise people and make sure that they comprehend the fundamental values of their society and performed in adequate ways.

Functionalism is a consensus perspective that sees society as based on shared values into which members are socialized. It sees society as like an organism, each part performing functions to maintain the system as a whole. For example, religion, the education system and the family perform socialization functions. The functionalist theory though developed from the ideas of theorists such as Herbert Spencer and Emile Durkheim, can trace its origins as far back as the founding father of sociology, Auguste

Theories have been composed and exposed by various philosophers to clarify their reasoning about the mind. Dualism, Behaviorism, and Identity Theory, are well-known theories supported by well-written explanations. A modern theory, Functionalism provides ample insight to the main problem philosophers deal with, the mind/body problem.

A strength of the functionalist theory is that it a macro level structural theory which uses an organic analogy- using the body as a way to describe the different parts within society. Parsons identifies three similarities; System, System Needs and Functions. The System being organisms such as the human body, and society which fit together in fixed ways. For example in the

According to functionalism, all things must contribute to society to promote solidarity and stability**. This perspective looks at society on a macro-level. Unlike symbolic interactionism, functionalism focuses on the analysis of social systems and attempts to explain large-scale relationships. On the other side of the scale, micro-level theories cover specific engagements within small groups. Functionalism was first explored through the works of English philosopher and biologist Herbert Spencer. He often compared the human body to that of a human society. Each organ must work together in order to regulate each system of the body. Spencer referred to many systems such as government, the economy, media, education, and religious institutions (Maryanski and Turner 1992).

The functionalist perception is founded generally on the workings of Emile Durkheim, Talcott Parsons, Robert Merton and Herbert Spencer. Conferring to functionalism, society is a system of interrelated portions that work collectively in coherence to preserve a state of steadiness and social stability for the entirety. An example, each of the social institutions provides important functions for society: Family provides a setting for procreating, cultivating, and socializing children; education proposes a way to convey a society’s abilities, wisdom, and culture to its adolescence; politics provides a means of governing members of society; economics provides for the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services; and religion provides moral guidance and an outlet for worship of a higher power. (MacDonald)