structural functionalism theory definition

Structural functionalism theory definition how to#

These rules prove ineffective, and the boys slowly become savages, as the book calls them, and commit murder.

Structural functionalism theory definition how to#

No longer supervised by adults and no longer in a society as they once knew it, they are not sure how to proceed and come up with new rules for their behavior. Some British boys are stranded on an island after a plane crash. In this regard, their view was similar to that of the 20th-century novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding (1954), which many college students read in high school. In response, the intellectuals began to write that a strong society, as exemplified by strong social bonds and rules and effective socialization, was needed to prevent social order from disintegrating (Collins, 1994). Here was additional evidence, if European intellectuals needed it, of the breakdown of social order. They attacked bystanders, destroyed property, and generally wreaked havoc. One result of these conditions was mass violence, as mobs of the poor roamed the streets of European and American cities. As the cities grew, people lived in increasingly poor, crowded, and decrepit conditions. Starting first in Europe and then in the United States, the Industrial Revolution led to many changes, including the rise and growth of cities as people left their farms to live near factories. The Industrial Revolution of the 19th century reinforced these concerns. The aristocracy throughout Europe feared that revolution would spread to their own lands, and intellectuals feared that social order was crumbling. The first was the French Revolution of 1789, whose intense violence and bloody terror shook Europe to its core. Utilitarianism is a micro theory.įunctionalism, also known as the functionalist perspective, arose out of two great revolutions of the 18th and 19th centuries. Social order is possible because people realize it will be in their best interests to cooperate and to make compromises when necessary.

If they instead decide that disadvantages outweigh benefits, they will decline to begin interacting or stop the interaction if already begun. If they decide that benefits outweigh disadvantages, they will initiate the interaction or continue it if it is already under way. People act to maximize their advantages in a given situation and to reduce their disadvantages. Utilitarianism (rational choice theory or exchange theory) Symbolic interactionism is a micro theory. In so doing, they rely heavily on symbols such as words and gestures to reach a shared understanding of their interaction.

As this interaction occurs, individuals negotiate their definitions of the situations in which they find themselves and socially construct the reality of these situations. People construct their roles as they interact they do not merely learn the roles that society has set out for them. Far-reaching social change is needed to reduce or eliminate social inequality and to create an egalitarian society.

Society is characterized by pervasive inequality based on social class, gender, and other factors. Slow social change is desirable, but rapid social change threatens social order. Society’s social institutions perform important functions to help ensure social stability.

Social stability is necessary to have a strong society, and adequate socialization and social integration are necessary to achieve social stability. Table 1.1 Theory Snapshot Theoretical perspective