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Functionalist Sociology

Contents
1
3

Origins and Intellectual Tradition

The Structure of the Paradigm

Interactionism and Social Action Theory

Integrative Theory

5
3

Objectivism

6 The Underlying Unity of the Paradigm

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Introduce
As discussed in Burrel and Morgan there are 4 paradigm:
Paradigm functionalist, interpretive paradigm, Paradigm
and Paradigm Radical Radical Humanist Structuralists
The functionalist paradigm provides a framework for the
implementation of academic sociology and
organizational studies.
Application of functionalist paradigm characterized by a
concern to provide an explanation of the status quo,
social order, consensus, social integration, solidarity,
need satisfaction and actuality.

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Origins and Intellectual Tradition

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Social System Theory

Explain the dominant framework for the analysis
of contemporary sociology - structural
functionalism and systems theory.

The term 'structural functionalism' and 'systems

theory' is often seen interchangeable.

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Structural Functionalism

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Limitation
First, whereas in the case of the organism it is

possible to study the organic structure

independently of its function in the case of the
community.
Second, it draws attention to the problem of
morphogenesis. Society can change and their
complex structural types without breach of
continuity, the organism can not.
Third, it draws attention to the fact that the
functional analysis of society, with emphasis on the
contribution made to the survival and overall
function, based on the hypothesis of a functional
unity.
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Systems Theory
In sociology, psychology, anthropology, archeology,
linguistics, organization theory, industrial relations
and other social science subjects, the theory has
become the dominant system as an important
method of analysis.
Von Bertalanffy want to use the concept of 'the
system' as a means of cutting through substantive
differences that exist between different academic
disciplines.
The task of general systems theory is to discover
the principles underlying the organization of the
system. One common goal is to achieve 'unity of
science' which is based isomorphy law in various
fields (von Bertalanffy, 1956, p. 8).

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Organismic analogy built by Parsons'

(1951) analysis of the social system
that the system can be identified by a kind of boundary that

distinguishes it from its environment;

that the system is basically procedural in nature;
that this process can be conceptualized in terms of the basic model
that focuses on the input, throughput, output and feedback;
that the overall operation of the system can be understood in terms
of satisfying the needs of the system intended for the survival or
achievement of homeostasis;
that the system consists of subsystems that contribute to the
satisfaction of the needs of the whole system;
that this subsystem, which itself has limits that can be identified, are
in a state of mutual dependence, both internally and in relation to
their environment
that the operating system can be observed in terms of the behavior
of its constituent elements;
that the activity is important in the context of the operating system
are those that involve the transaction limit, both internally and
externally between subsystems in relation to the environment.

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Interactionism and Social Action Theory

Interactionism and social action theory both can

be understood as representing a fusion of
certain aspects of German idealism and the
Anglo-French sociological positivism.
As a means of presenting the essential
characteristics of interactionism and the theory
of action here, therefore, we will restrict our
attention to the intellectual history directly.

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George Simmel (1858-1918)

Background
George Simmel is a
philosopher and
historian turned
sociologist
His eclectic approach
led to the development
of a brand of sociology
He drove a middle way
between idealism and
positivism
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Interactionism
Interactionism is a theoretical perspective that
derives social processes (such as conflict,
cooperation, identity formation) from human
interaction
It is the study of how individuals act within
society
Simmel was interested on human beings in their
social context, and describes it as interactions
among the atoms of society

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Interactionism
Simmel saw social life as being
characterised by a continous conflict
between the individual and his social world,
and conflict was inherent in social life

Coser describes Simmels view as an

emphasis on a dialectical tension between
the individual and society

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Social Geometry Forms

Dyadic
A relationship that involves two individuals
Ex. Best friends, lovers, married couples
A dyad represents the strongest bond
No formal structure within the relationship
Each experience by either individual impacts
the other
The relationship ceases to exist if either
member departs

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Social Geometry Forms

Triadic
A social group consisting of three equal members
Indirect relationship that can both assist and hinder
reciprocity within the group
The group can survive if one member drops out, thus
forming a new dyad
The introduction of the third person, can help and
hinder the relationship of other group members
This person can become a mediator, can use the
group to advance their own selfish agenda, and can
use existing conflict to divide the group and take it
over
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George Herbert Mead

(1863-193l)
Main ideas:
The social self is composed of an active
I that is independent of particular
situations and a receptive Me that is
situated and responsive.

The shape of Me is composed of the

messages we receive by using others
as mirrors of the self.

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Mead Mind, Self and Society

In Mind, Self and Society, Mead seeks to
establish how mind and self arise within the
context of social conduct and interaction

Mind, Self and Society are predicated upon the

existence of an external world which influences
human thought and action

Society is ontologically prior to mind and self

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Symbolic Interactionism

Symbolic interaction theories focus on

the interpretation (social meaning) that

is given to behaviour, and on the way
such interpretation helps to construct
the social world, the identities of
people, and, ultimately how they
behave
All interaction theories are concerned
with the way in which meaning is
constructed
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Herbert Blumer

Symbolic interactionism, a study of

human group life and conduct which holds
the centrality of the production of meaning
as central to human behaviour.

Three core principles to his theory. They

are meaning, language, and thought

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Herbert Blumer
Meaning states that humans act toward people
and things based upon the meanings that they
have given to those people or things.

Language gives humans a means by which to

negotiate meaning through symbols.

Thought, based on language, is a mental

conversation or dialogue that requires role

taking, or imagining different points of view

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Blumer Methodology

Study of conduct and group life, as these

occur naturally in the everyday existence
of people
Focuses on the importance of in-depth
knowledge of the group using interviews
and observations, and steering away from
vagueness when defining concepts

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Social Action Theory

Introduced by Wilhelm Dilthey and

elaborated by Weber
A method to observe how human
behaviors relate to cause and effect in the
social realm
The method is verstehen, which was seen
as a means of relating inner experience to
outward actions

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Types of Action
Weber constructed a typology of social action which
distinguished between:
a) Action oriented to tradition
b) Action dominated by emotional factors
c) Action which was rationally orientated towards
some absolutely value
d) Action which was rationally orientated towards
the achievement of spesific ends, and in which
the relative advantages and disadvantages of
alternative means are take into account

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Integrative Theory
Integrative theory is use to characterise

the brand of sociological theorising which

occupies the middle ground within the
functionalist paradigm
It seeks to integrate various elements of
interactionism and social systems theory
and, in certain cases, to counter the
challenge to the functionalist perspective
posed by theories characteristic of the
radical structuralist paradigm, particularly
those of Marx.
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Integrative Theory (contd)

Conflict Functionalism
Mertons argument was directed againts 3 central Postulate of
traditional functional analysis :
a. Postulate of the functional unity of society
b. Postulate of universal functionalism
c. Postulate of indispensability
Merton argued that :
a. Societies are not unitary in nature
b. Societies may have non functional elements
c. Societies are quite capable of dispensing with certain
activities without prejudice to their survival and , in any case,
are capable of developing alternatives.
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Integrative Theory (contd)

Mertons critique paved the way for an approach to
functional analysis which, in contrast to traditional
functionalism, sees the nature of social order as
essentially problematic, allows analysis to take place
from a variety of perspectives and gives full recognition
to the process of social change.
Coser Essay
Coser systematically analysis the manner and conditions
under which social conflict may contribute to the
maintenance, adjustment or adaption of social
relationships and social structures
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Objectivism
Objectivism refer to consderable amount of sociological
work located on the objectivist boundary of the
functionalist paradigm.
The relationship between social systems theory and
objectivism is thus obviously a close one.
Two broad types of objectivism : Behaviorism amd
abstracted empiricism

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Objectivism (Contd)
Behaviorism
The notion of behaviorism is most often associated with
the work of B.F Skinner, who has attempted to develop
causal theories of behavious based upon an analysis of
stimulus and response.
According to Skinner perspective :
The study of human behaviour is very much an activity
aimed at the discovery of universal laws and
regularities.
Skinners perspective is a highly coherent and consistent.
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Objectivism (Contd)
Abstracted Empiricism
Abstracted empiricism is identified as being
characteristic of the objectivist boundary of the
functionalist paradigm.
It represent research in which the social world is
treated methodologically as if it were a world of
hard, concrete, tangible reality, whereas
theoritically it is conceived as being of a more
subjectivist nature.

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The Underlying Unity of the Paradigm

This process of fusion and incorporation is reflected in the
position which the resulting theory occupies on the two
analytical dimensions of the paradigm :
1. The German idealist tradition has influenced emergence
of functionalist theories of a more subjectivist
orientation.
2. The Marxist tradition is reflected in the functionalist
theories which focus upon conflict and change.

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