Quick Recap

 Science needs to have theories that are falsifiable and

recognized methods(Popper), For science paradigm is
important however crisis in a paradigm helps evolve new
paradigm/s (Kuhn), Both methods and paradigms can
be disabling – we need to be anti-method (Feyerabend)
 We discussed how science needs Paradigm and the
possibility of multiple paradigms → Sociology is definitely
a science with Multiple Paradigms (Ritzer)
 So what are these broadly → Structural functionalism;
Conflict Perspective; Symbolic Interactionism and there
are several new advances..
Structural
Functionalism
CONSENSUS THEORY
 Key Tenets of Structural
Functionalism
 Emphasis on Social Order and
Interdependence in explaining
the social Structure (Auguste
Comte, Emile Durkheim)
 Seeks to understand the function
that each aspect of structure
plays in supporting the structure
of a society.
 Individuals and culture function in
order to support the structure of
the society - Structural
Functionalism
Structural Functionalism
1. Human behaviour is governed by stable
patterns of social relations (“social
structures”)
2. Social structures can either maintain or
undermine social stability.
3. Suggests social structures are based
mainly on shared values
4. Argues that re-establishing equilibrium -
best way to solve most social problems.
5. Talcott Parsons: Best known for identifying
how various institutions must work to
ensure smooth operation of society as a
whole
Talcott Parsons
Biology Connection
 Draws from Biology and Ideas of Evolution – Uses them for
explaining Social Change/s
 Functionalist thought, from Comte onwards, has looked
particularly towards biology as the science providing the
closest and most compatible model for social science. Biology
has been taken to provide a guide to conceptualizing the
structure and the function of social systems and to analyse
processes of evolution via mechanisms of adaptation ...
functionalism strongly emphasises the pre-eminence of the
social world over its individual parts (i.e. its constituent actors,
human subjects). Anthony Giddens The Constitution of Society
1984,
Structural - Functionalism

 How is order in society possible? Solidarity; Shared Values

 Parsons —“behaviour is accounted for by efforts to conform with an
internalised moral code.. where, it is emphasised, mended to heed
to consequences but seek to confirm to the code for its own sake”
 The essence of functionalism is Actors conformity..
 Greater good means survival — the whole must persist and survive.
 Reciprocal “interchanges” between family and the economic,
political and community subsystems.
AGIL MODEL: All Action Systems
have four Functional Imperatives
 Adaptation: Our ability to get resources from the environment. How
is wealth produced? Structures in Place to Adapt to the Environment
(Mining). How we use our natural environment to produce things
beneficial to us (individuals and communities). Adaptation worked
smoothly (no dysfunctions). [Economy]
 Goal Attainment: System Must Achieve Goals, Directing Resources to
appropriate people. Decision making bodies —> Goal attainment.
[Politics]
 Latency: Moral Commitment to Society, Family, Education, Religious.
[Morality and values come from society not from you], Pattern
Maintainence [Fiduciary System]
 Integration: Legal Systems control and regulate our individual action.
Safeguard. Allow behaviour that are positive. [Societal Community]
General Action System
Cultural Systems
 Cultural Systems: We have to look at meanings not people (
language, morals, values). System of patterned and
ordered symbols. Helps in maintaining social control.
 Cultural systems are organized around the characteristics of
complexes of symbolic meanings--the codes in terms of
which they are structured, the particular clusters of symbols
they employ, and the conditions of their utilisation,
maintenance, and change as parts of action systems.
 Meaning of Love: I believe in Love, Love conquers all
 EXPRESSIVE SYMBOLS: Heart, GIVE FLOWERS,
 [Function = Pattern Maintenance]
Social System

 Social System: Interaction with others, not about

Individuals. Status-Role Bundle Expectations. Lays the
foundations for existing together and work towards a
shared reality
 Individual action governed by Norms
 Who is Lovable? He is not – always howling, roams
around Naked
 One Lover at a TIME
 [Function = Integration]
Personality System

 Personality System: Society is influenced by actions of

individual (gravitate towards self gratification and
personal profit maximisation)
 Understanding Love : for what?; Self Goal Attainment
 Acceptable ways of pursuing LOVE: When to be in love
 Our Love is better than theirs (Integration of Self into
Societal Frames)
 [ Function = Goal Attainment]
Behavioural (Adaptation) Systems

 Behavioural (Adaptation) Systems: Sociology and

Biology. We have to use a biological component.
Physical Environment and Physical Body( An abled
bodied person vs a disabled)

 It embodies a set of conditions to which action must

adapt and comprises the primary mechanism of
interrelation with the physical environment, especially
through the input and processing of information in the
central nervous system and through motor activity in
coping with exigencies of the physical environment.
Society - Its subsystems and
Functional Imperatives
L I

Fiduciary System Societal Community

A G

Economy Polity
On Inequality – Defends his work till
1970s
 Social Order, Hierarchical Class Systems and orders were necessary for
society to function, felt inequality was a necessary part of any working
society since inequality kept the society ticking along.
 The erosion of the legitimacy of the traditional bases of inequality has
brought to a new level of prominence value-commitment to an
essential equality of status of all members of modern societal
communities (Parsons 1970).
 Inequalities. among units of societal structure which are essential in such
fields as economic productivity, authority and power, and culturally
bused competence, must be justified in terms of their contribution to
societal functioning.
 Inequality a necessity helps people to aspire for more - facilitates social
change.
Parsons – Excellent Macro Theory

 Any Critiisms?
Maratha Protest 2018
Parson – a failure in 1960s

 Does not adequately deal with History and Social

Change; Grand Theory - Abstract Social System; Makes
comparative analysis difficult; Has a conservative bias
 After 60s Crisis and Breakdown in Society – made Parsons
irrelevant? Does not deal with conflict; Exaggerates
societal Consensus.
 Attempts to provide a broad predictable theory.
Methods – Quantitative – but who will the survey talk to?
 What about individuals?
 Does this lack Sociological Imagination?