The Structural Functionalist Paradigm Society is made up of a large system of interrelated elements working together to ensure stability of society Ie. Mechanical system – a car is made up of elements that are related in some way for it to function Structural – elements of society are objective social structures Social structures – enduring and regular patterns of social interaction that exist independently of any individual social structures are interrelated elements of society Ie. Law, families LO2

The Structural Functionalist Paradigm Functionalism – social structures have particular functions assumed necessary for society and individuals to exist ensures that how people interact, learn and rely on each other remains stable and predictable Functional aspects of social structures are manifest or latent Manifest: a stated, known, shared or commonly accepted function Latent: unstated, hidden functions of a social structure Social structure (eg. family) contributes to the functioning of society in apparent (manifest) or less apparent (latent) ways LO2

The Structural Functionalist Paradigm Education – a social structure with an enduring pattern of interaction between student and teacher participation is based on learned, shared understanding relatively stable and predictable pattern of interaction Manifest functions – produce individuals who can read, write, relate common knowledge to others transmits information from one generation to the next Latent functions – holds down the unemployment rate – cost of tuition ensures only certain groups have access to higher education LO2

The Structural Functionalist Paradigm Assumption: a social structure exists because it is functional or adaptive for broader society Eg. education – pattern of interaction that ensures transfer of necessary knowledge is functional for society economic inequality - regular patterns of interaction between those who “have” and those who “have not” is also functional for society How? unequal economic social relations provide motivation to ensure the most qualified fill the most important positions eg. physician = high salary LO2

The Structural Functionalist Paradigm Mid-late 1800’s Comte and Durkheim concerned about consequences of rapid change in organization of work and gov’t Durkheim argued that: external social structures, their function and social stability are important for people’s sense of social solidarity Ie. family functions to ensure people have necessary supports to live day-to-day; those that do not are more likely to commit suicide social solidarity is an example of how he thought that order, regularity and stability were important social issues LO2