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Structural functionalist perspective
Social Stratification Quizlet
Structural functionalist perspective
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The focus on how social structures determine, and are effective in maintaining the equilibrium is functionalism or structural-functionalism, which is the theorizing of Durkheim and Parsons (Dillon, book, 179). What this means is that we need to look at the structures effectiveness of social structures and make sure that it is at a satisfying state of equilibrium. An example of this would be the human body, we have many different organs and they all work together to produce the fully functional human. What it comes down to is, everything has its own place in society and even if a conflict is introduced, there is a way of working itself out and the society will go back to functioning normally. The functionalists understand the presence of stratification around to place individuals who have the desire to motivate other individuals with in the social structure. These individuals are to fulfill motivation on two different occasions, they are not only in placed in the society to motivate others, but once they are also need to be able to fill there own personal duties. This basically means that they have to look out for not only their selves, but others as well. There are two different types of motivation that involved with stratification, competitive and non-completive, both of which are needed in a system. A competitive system it is more desirable to achieve a position, as to non-competitive where the importance is focused on the motivation of the duties that are included with the position. One of the key points included with the principle of stratification is that some positions require more time and effort to achieve and those are more functionally important in a society. This would include positions that require schooling well beyo... ... middle of paper ... ...res very little training, removes our trash so that we don’t have to do it ourselves, without their service people who have trash piled up in their yards. The system itself makes sense, if you go to school and receive higher education and acquire a large debt from school loans there should be some accommodation as to how much money should be distributed. There in no reason should be anyone who makes a six figure yearly income; a person can comfortably live with less. This is where it becomes a problem there are people who have so much money that they don’t know what to do with it and then there are people who are in more physically or less demanding jobs who are just getting by pay check to pay check. I don’t see how equilibrium can actually be reached while this is occurring, there will always be people who do not get the amount of money they need to live happily.
Functionalism views society as the stability and assimilation of a range of forces that function within it. While society is a separate entity with a life of its own, there are individual elements contributing to that stability. Functionalism as a sociological theory emphasizes assimilation rather than the dissociation of society. Therefore, the society is seen as a whole that is compromised of parts which give one another their identity and their function. The part, whether that is education, such as a school, or sports, such as a football team, operates in relation to the other parts, and cannot be entirely understood in isolation from the other parts. All the parts are interrelated, and when there is a disturbance in any one of the parts, is when you can see the interdependence. But what is important about this theory is that “there will always be some reorganization and tendency to restore equilibrium” (Wallace and Wolf 17). Functionalist do not believe it’s crucial that the people involved in the society to be aware of this interconnectedness anymore than the brain and heart consciously realize that they work together as an organism.
Almost 100 years ago, Chicago saw its population double in a short span of time - the majority of the newcomers being foreign-born. There were also many Americans that were migrating into the city at this time. With large amounts of foreigners bringing with them their own set of beliefs and norms, ideological clashes and a lack of conformity was inevitable. Merton’s Modes of Adaptation comes into play here with foreigners coming to a new land and having to re-adapt. This can lead to increased rates of ritualism, retreatism, rebellion and innovation and this means an increase in crime rates.
Social stratification is the categorization of people into groups based on their economic status, it is the hierarchical structure of class found in any society. When one group of people gains power and privilege over another it is known as social stratification. In Marx’s view social stratification is created by unequal access to means of production and unequal property relations.
“No system of distribution can satisfy everyone, since there is no obviously “right” or “fair” way to distribute power, privilege, and prestige” (Nolan. Lenski, 2004: 269). Functionalism is a theory that could explain why Marx’s predictions have not been realized. Functionalism may be defined as the “theory that sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability” (Moffit, n.d). Unlike Marxist, functionalist believe that society is abundant due to presence of roles, status and norms into social hierarchy—there isn’t just a separation of dominants and impotent. (Sociologyguide, n.d). Functionalists believe society to be a complex system made up of interdependent and interrelated parts; each part is a vital piece of society. The malfunction of a part could indicate or even provoke disruption within society (faculty.upi,n.d). (potmd,2012) Functionalist agree that
In other words, from a perspective that considers society as something like an organism, the theory argued that this organism has needs that must be met if it is to remain healthy. Among these needs is for the most important positions or jobs in the society to be staffed by the most qualified and competent people.~Social stratification is considered a mechanism that ensures that the need is met. looking at Talcott Parsons who wrote "central for the purposes of this discussion is the differential evaluation in the moral sense of individuals as units." (Parsons 1964:70), meaning that status or honor is the most important dimension of social stratification. In other words, members of society are evaluated and ranked based on how well they compare to the dominant values of the society they reside in, resulting in a social hierarchy. Parsons recognized wealth and power differences, of course, but for him these are by definition secondary. Writing of wealth, Parsons (1964:83) stated, "In spite of much opinion to the contrary, it is not a primary criterion, seen in terms of the common value system. . . . its primary significance is a symbol of
Functionalism is a materialist stance in the philosophy of mind that argues that mental states are purely functional, and thus categorized by their input and output associations and causes, rather than by the physical makeup that constitutes its parts. In this manner, functionalism argues that as long as something operates as a conscious entity, then it is conscious. Block describes functionalism, discusses its inherent dilemmas, and then discusses a more scientifically-driven counter solution called psychofunctionalism and its failings as well. Although Block’s assertions are cogent and well-presented, the psychofunctionalist is able to provide counterarguments to support his viewpoint against Block’s criticisms. I shall argue that though both concepts are not without issue, functionalism appears to satisfy a more acceptable description that philosophers can admit over psychofunctionalism’s chauvinistic disposition that attempts to limit consciousness only to the human race.
There is still some confusion as to what the term Social stratification actually means the article states. J.A Jackson a writer in the book this article is based on, focused on phrases such as: growth points, privatization among workers, and status congruence; when describing social stratification. While other essays in book described social stratification using conceptual and methodical considerations. This shows there is an ongoing battle to come up with the “correct definition”, so to speak.
Structural Functionalism or what I call just functionalism, is just another theory that has society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability. This approach looks at society through the macro-level of orientation, which is a broad focus on the social structures that shape society as a whole, and believes that society has evolved like organisms. This approach looks at both social structure and the social functions. Functionalism has society as a whole in terms of the function of its constituent elements; namely norms and customs, traditions, and institutions. There is a common analogy, popularized by Herbert Spencer that presents these parts of society as "organs" that works towards the proper functioning of the "body" as a whole. In the most basic terms, it simply emphasizes "the effort to impute and the rigorously as possible, to each feature, custom, or even practice the effect on the functioning of a supposedly stable and cohesive system.
This paper applies a comparative sociology framework with qualitative methodology to the case of GMOs to inform discussions regarding balancing individual freedom and economic freedom in society. The comparative sociology framework of a structural functionalism and conflict theory is applied to the case of GMOs. The purpose of this investigation is to analyze how GMOs affect the balance between economic progress and social stability. The perspectives of both the conflict and structural functionalist theories on GMOs are portrayed. The method being utilized is a qualitative case study using document analysis of internet and other computer searches.
The structural-functionalist perspective looks at society as a complex system composed of various parts much like a living organism. Each aspect of society contributes to society's functioning as a whole. Social institutions play a key role in keeping a society stable. All societies need certain things to survive (Newman 2010).
The second system of stratification is a caste system. This system is also a closed system like slavery system. In this system is based on ascribed status which are trails or characteristics that people possess as a result of their birth or are given a set status by society also. That’s means that people don’t earn or choose their status, and they can’t
Stratification defined as the status of the people within the society. The status takes a vertical form ranking people in different categories. The stratification can be based on the social status, ethnicity, Gender, and religion. Yet there are two types of stratification, Open and close. The open stratification is based on the achieved status, and the mobility in this open system is easy. Unlike the close stratification wish is based on the ascribed status without regard to the efforts or the achievements of the person, and most of the time the person can’t change his status easily in the closed stratification system.
Social stratification is the idea that everyone in society has a certain place that they are either assigned or an area that they fit in. These groups or areas generally fall into different placement son the hierarchy of society. Just like every hierarchy structure, there are those that are on top and then there are those that fall on the bottom of the structure. In modern society there is a clear line between the benefits of being on top of the pyramid compared to being on the bottom of the pyramid. Even being in the middle of the pyramid does not always mean things are going to be the best.
One positive argument about social stratification is that it is necessary in order to get difficult tasks performed, because only people that are trained to do certain tasks can do them. Another argument is that people naturally tend to accept a status hierarchy and their place in it. Life is said to be more stable and serene in stratified societies. The culture found in a stratified society is more satisfying than in a homogenized society, some say. On the other hand, “A society that encourages status striving produces in contrast a good deal of brushing, disappointment, and ugly
Social stratification can be defined as the hierarchical ranking of people in a society who have different access to valued resources such as property, prestige, and status(Benokraitis, p. 137). I also learned about the open and closed stratification systems and how those affect our movement in society like how much wealth, prestige, and power we have or can achieve. Another thing that was most intriguing was reading about all of the statistics and how the top one percent owns thirty-six percent of all wealth compared with only thirteen percent for the bottom eighty percent(Benokraitis,