SOCIOL 2LL3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Canadian Nationalism
18 Dec 2018
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Wednesday, October 18, 2017
Lecture #8
Structural Functionalism and Conflict Theory II
Structural Functionalism and 21st Century Sociology!
b) Later Structural Functionalism: Robert K. Merton!
1. Theoretical Approach!
- NOT at the macro-level of analysis → interested in middle-range theory (in
between macro and micro level theory)!
- ex. theories of media production, organizational dynamics, power
relations, social mobility!
2. Criticisms of Early Structural Functionalism!
- Functional Unity!
- Argued early SF suggested → all social beliefs and practices are
functional for society as a whole as well as individuals in society !
- Merton argued might be the case when talking about small societies;
unlikely in large/complex societies !
- Universal Functionalism!
- Argued early SF suggested → all social structures and beliefs have
positive functions for society and individuals !
- Merton argued could also, or instead, have negative functions !
- Indispensable Functions!
- Argued early SF suggested all aspects of society represent
necessary parts of the whole (structures and functions are going to be
absolutely essential for that society; no alternatives would work as well!
- Merton argued need to consider possibility that society could be
organized in a different way!
3. Contributions to Structural Functionalism!
- Dysfunctions (contrary to Universal Functionalism)!
- Need to make allowance for negative functions = dysfunctions !
- Just as social structures or beliefs can have positive functions, which
help to maintain the order and stability of that society, also possible to
have dysfunctions !
- ex. Nationalism → !
- Positive function = enabling unifying the people of a country
- Negative function = generating hatred for people who are from
elsewhere, creating conflict!
- Nonfunctions!
- Consequences that are irrelevant to the society being examined!
- Can be social structures/customs that have positive or negative
consequences in past; may have no consequences in present day society !
- ex. Laws/by-laws →!
- Can become outdated = due to changes in social practices or
technology!
- If remain on the books = nonfunctions (had positive/negative
functions earlier → changing circumstances = lost reason for
existence) !
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Document Summary
Structural functionalism and 21st century sociology: later structural functionalism: robert k. merton, theoretical approach. Not at the macro-level of analysis interested in middle-range theory (in between macro and micro level theory) Ex. theories of media production, organizational dynamics, power relations, social mobility: criticisms of early structural functionalism. Argued early sf suggested all social beliefs and practices are functional for society as a whole as well as individuals in society. Merton argued might be the case when talking about small societies; unlikely in large/complex societies. Argued early sf suggested all social structures and beliefs have positive functions for society and individuals. Merton argued could also, or instead, have negative functions. Argued early sf suggested all aspects of society represent necessary parts of the whole (structures and functions are going to be absolutely essential for that society; no alternatives would work as well. Merton argued need to consider possibility that society could be organized in a different way: contributions to structural functionalism.
