Functionalism is also called structural functional theory.

The main profounder of this theory are herbert

spencer, emile durkheim and robert merton.

Functionalism grew out of writings of English philosopher and biologist herbert spencer(1820-1903). He
saw similarity in between society and the human body.

He argued that just as the various organs of body work togather to keep the body functioning, similarly
the various part of the society works together to keep the society functioning.

The parts of society spencer related to were the social institution or pattern of belief and behaviours
focused on meeting social needs, such as:- Government education, family , healthcare religion and
economy.

Emile durkheim:- Another early sociologist apply spencer theory to explain how society change and
survive over time.

Durkheim believed that society is a complex system of interrelated and interdependent parts that works
together to maintain stability and that society is held together by shared values , language and symbols.

Hel believed that to study society a sociologist must look beyond individual to social fact, such as :-lows
morals values, religion, belief, custom, fashion and rituals. Which all serve to govern social life. Each of
these social facts serve one or more function within a society.

For example:- One function of a society law may be protect society from violence, while another is to
punish criminal behaviour. While one another is to preserve social or public health.

Another noted structural functionalist is Robert merton (1910-2003) pointed out that social process
often have many functions.

He classified functions into two paths that are manifest and latent function.

Manifest function are the consequences of a social process that are recognised, intended or anticipated.
When latent function the unsought consequences of social process. Which means they are not
recognised. Manifest function of college education for example:- including knowledge, preparing for a
carrier and finding a good job, which utilize that education. When latent function of your college year
including meeting new people, participating in extra curricular activities or even finding a spouse or
partner.

Latent function can be beneficial natural or harmful.

Merton also stated that social process not only perform function but dysfunctions also. Social process
that have undesirable consequences or which used to disintegrate our society are called dysfunctions. In
education the example of dysfunction include getting bad grade, professor abusing student physically or
sexually.

At the same time from a functionalist view society tends to be organised integrated and mentioned its
equilibrium by it’s own. Hence they consider social change disruptive unless it occurs in a slow speed.

Criticism:
According to critics it can’t adequately explain social change and considered the same as disruptive.
Functionalist focus more on order and stability of society. Furthermore dysfunction may continue even
through they don’t serve a function, which seemingly contradict the basic premise of this theory.