structural-functionalist approach

(noun)

A sociological approach to poverty that maintains that all parts of society (even poverty) contribute in some way or another to the larger system's stability.

Related Terms

  • conflict-theory approach
  • social stratification

Examples of structural-functionalist approach in the following topics:

  • Explaining Poverty: The Sociological Debate

    • Sociologists take two opposing approaches to explaining economic stratification: structural-functionalism and conflict theory.
    • Two classic sociological approaches to poverty and social stratification are structural-functionalism and conflict theory.
    • The structural-functionalist approach to stratification asks the question: what function or purpose does stratification serve?
    • The conflict-theory approach offers a critique of structural-functionalism.
    • Meanwhile, structural-functionalists rebut that people do not always act solely out of economic self-interest.
  • The Functionalist Perspective on Deviance

    • Though precursors of structural functionalism have been in existence since the mid-1800's, structural functionalism was solidified by Émile Durkheim in the late nineteenth century .
    • A structural functionalist approach emphasizes social solidarity, divided into organic and mechanical typologies, and stability in social structures.
    • Structural functionalists ask "How does any given social phenomenon contribute to social stability?"
    • For the structural functionalist, deviance serves two primary roles in creating social stability.
    • From a structural functionalist perspective, then, how does society change, particularly in regards to establishing norms and deviant behaviors?
  • The Functions of Deviance

    • A structural functionalist approach emphasizes social solidarity and stability in social structures.
    • Structural functionalists ask: How does any given social phenomenon contribute to social stability?
    • For the structural functionalist, deviance serves two primary roles in creating social stability.
    • From a structural-functionalist perspective, then, how does society change, particularly in regards to establishing norms and deviant behaviors?
    • Describe how structural functionalism views the relation between deviance and social change
  • The Functionalist Perspective

    • According to the functionalist perspective, race and ethnicity are two of the various parts of a cohesive society.
    • As noted sociologist Michael Omi observes, "The structural-functionalist framework generally stressed the unifying role of culture, and particularly American values, in regulating and resolving conflicts.
    • This approach was notably in evidence in respect to the sociology of race" (Coulhan 2007, Sociology in America, p.559).
    • Given this emphasis on equilibrium and harmony, the functionalist perspective easily allows for specific macro-analyses of more contentious power imbalances, such as race-related issues.
    • Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a functionalist approach to race
  • The Functionalist Perspective

    • In the functionalist model, Parsons argued that illness is a form of deviance that disturbs the social function of a society.
    • This approach looks at society through a macro-level orientation, which is a broad focus on the social structures that shape society as a whole.
    • This approach looks at both social structure and social functions.
    • Structural functionalism reached the peak of its influence in the 1940s and 1950s, and by the 1960s was in rapid decline.
    • By the 1980s, its place was taken in Europe by more conflict-oriented approaches, and more recently by "structuralism".
  • Evaluating Global Theories of Inequality

    • Occupy Wall Street protesters approach inequality from a social justice perspective that holds that all Americans deserve equal life chances and have been denied them by market-oriented approaches to economic regulation (or lack thereof).
    • Occupy Wall Street protesters approach inequality from a social justice perspective that holds that all Americans deserve equal life chances and have been denied them by market-oriented approaches to economic regulation (or lack thereof).
    • Some theorists who embrace a functionalist approach assert that global inequality is not a problem at all, but rather benefits society as it produces an incentive structure to motivate highly capable individuals to pursue positions of power.
    • Functionalists are likely to embrace market-oriented approaches to inequality, on the basis that a free market will result in prices that benefit the smooth-functioning and growth of economies.
    • Differentiate between the positions on social inequality taken by functionalists, Marxists, modern liberalism, and social justice advocates
  • The Functionalist Perspective

    • The functionalist perspective of gender roles suggests that gender roles exist to maximize social efficiency.
    • This approach looks at society through a macro-level orientation, which is a broad focus on the social structures that shape society as a whole, and looks at both social structure and social functions.
    • A structural functionalist view of gender inequality applies the division of labor to view predefined gender roles as complementary: women take care of the home while men provide for the family.
    • According to structural functionalists, gender serves to maintain social order by providing and ensuring the stability of such functional prerequisites.
    • While the structural-functionalist perspective argues that gender inequalities exist as a form of the division of labor, the photograph above clearly illustrates that women need not be restricted to certain activities.
  • The Functionalist Perspective

    • Functionalists view the family unit as a construct that fulfills important functions and keeps society running smoothly.
    • For functionalists, the family creates well-integrated members of society and teaches culture to the new members of society.
    • This approach looks at society through a macro-level orientation, which is a broad focus on the social structures that shape society as a whole.
    • For functionalists, the family creates well-integrated members of society and teaches culture to the new members of society.
    • Explain the social functions of the family through the perspective of structural functionalism
  • The Functionalist Perspective: Motivating Qualified People

    • From a functionalist point of view, inequality plays a role in holding society together and encouraging efficiency.
    • The structural-functional approach to stratification asks the same question that it does of the other components of society: What function or purpose does it serve?
    • According to structural-functionalists, stratification and inequality are inevitable and beneficial to society.
    • Moore in a paper published in 1945, is a central claim within the structural functionalist paradigm, and purports that the unequal distribution of rewards serves a purpose in society.
    • There are several problems with this approach to stratification.
  • Functions of Religion

    • The functionalist perspective, which originates from Emile Durkheim's work on religion, highlights the social role of religion.
    • The structural-functional approach to religion has its roots in Emile Durkheim's work on religion.
    • Given this approach, Durkheim proposed that religion has three major functions in society: it provides social cohesion to help maintain social solidarity through shared rituals and beliefs, social control to enforce religious-based morals and norms to help maintain conformity and control in society, and it offers meaning and purpose to answer any existential questions.
    • The primary criticism of the structural-functional approach to religion is that it overlooks religion's dysfunctions.
    • In one sense, this still fits the structural-functional approach as it provides social cohesion among the members of one party in a conflict.
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