One of the consequences of the criticisms was that new variants of functionalism were developed another was the re-examination of some existing programmes. In this paper some of the subsequent criticisms of Parsons’ functionalism are explained. The second paper (Part B) describes the ‘grand theory’ that Parsons (with others) built on the foundations of his theory of action to provide a comprehensive schema, or descriptive framework, of society, its component parts, and their interactions. The first paper (Part A) describes Talcott Parsons’ review of attempts to develop sociological theory by Durkheim, Webber and others, giving rise to his voluntaristic theory of action. This is the last of three papers examining the development, content and consequences of the sociological theory of functionalism. A subsequent paper (Part C) examines criticisms of functionalism, describes other schools of social theory in relation to it, and discusses the use made of social theory in OR. At the same time sufficient detail is provided to enable the reader to appreciate the complexity and depth of social theory in general and the functionalism of Parsons in particular. This paper summarizes the attempt by Parsons to develop an extensive and arguably comprehensive foundational basis for sociology. Further developments published in Working Papers in the Theory of Action (with Bales and Shils) and Economy and Society (with Smelser) focused on the relationship between the social and the economic system introducing the ‘four-function paradigm’ or AGIL model. In these books he introduces his system of ‘pattern variables’. In 1951 the results were published in two books, Towards a General Theory of Action (with Shils) and The Social System. He developed some key concepts to characterise the structure of social interaction and then expanded the scope of his framework to cover all aspects of society including some initial thoughts on how it maintains its stability and how it changes. Functionalism is the study of institutions and social facts and their role in maintaining society as an equilibrium.Having developed his action frame of reference and his voluntaristic theory of action in The Structure of Social Action (described in Part A), Talcott Parsons turned his attention to the social system per se. It also does not take into account social change and conflict as it is not adaptable to these changes due to its focus on maintaining equilibrium in society. Latent functions are the indirect effects of an institution, for example, when a school takes students on extracurricular activities, this will lead to students being exposed to new learning opportunities which may change their outcomes or perspectives.įunctionalism, however, focuses only on institutions and large groups but not the individual meaning it is limited in its application. Another example of this would be banks providing loans to businesses to provide services to the community the manifest of this is the provision of services to maintain the community/society. The outcomes of institutions are known as manifest functions. For example, schools will educate students who will then find jobs and work in the community. All of these social facts have no impact on society but would impact the individual.įunctionalism views all structures, whether social facts or institutions as essential in meeting the needs of society and maintaining the equilibrium. Some examples of social facts are law, religion, birth rates, and death rates. that meet the needs of society and social facts, which are ways of thinking or acting as formed by the society that cannot be influenced by individuals. Functionalism views society as a connected structure between institutions such as schools, media, banks, etc. Functionalism is a perspective of thinking that analyses society on a macrosociological perspective and how each and examines the structures that make up a society and the contribution it makes to societal stability.įunctionalism defines that society is heading towards an equilibrium where society adapts to changes that happen to it.
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