Structural-

functionalism
At the end of this session, y
ou should be
able to:
× Explain the theories on Structural Functionalism.
× Analyze the basic concepts and principles of the
structural functionalism theory.
× Appreciate one’s personal and social experiences
using the theories structural functionalism

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LESSON 1: STRUCTURA
L
FUNCTIONALISM
Structural functionalism or Macrostructures
simply functionalism, is -religion
essentially a sociological theory -social structures -education
that revolves around the notion formed among groups -tradition
-culture
that a society is composed of a or institutions
system of interconnected parts Microstructures
that have their own particular
-social structures established
functions.
among individuals or within
groups that result in individual
interactions

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Social Functions
-The effects of the social
structures or their purpose

Every social structure has

a corresponding social function.
This relationship between social
structures and social functions
are the parts of the system
which structural functionalism
identifies.

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The Functionalists perspectives
- emphasizes the interconnectedness of
society by focusing on how each part
influences and is influenced by other parts.
- Stability is achieved when a society’s social
institutions meet the needs of the citizens.
- Institutions/structures are interdependent and
work together to meet the needs of individuals.

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For example:
Each of the social institutions contributes
important functions for society: family provides
a context for reproducing, nurturing, and
socializing children. Education offers a way to
transmit a society’s skills, knowledge, and
culture to its youth. Politics provides a means
of governing members of society. Economics
provides for the production, distribution, and
consumption of goods and services. And
religion provides moral guidance and an outlet
for worship of a higher power.

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KEY CONCEPTS IN STR
U CTU R A L
FUNCTIONALISM
A manifest function is the
predicted, intended, expected,
and knowable effect of a social
structure. An example of which
is when people go to church, in
order to pray and to hear mass.
A latent function is the
unintended outcome of social
structure. So, if the manifest
function of going to church is to
pray and hear mass, its latent
function is to gather people
together in one place to
reinforce the sense of
community.
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KEY CONCEPTS IN STR
U CTU R A L
FUNCTIONALISM
A manifest dysfunction is the A latent dysfunction is the
predicted, expected, and unpredicted and unexpected
knowable disruptions of a disruptions of social structures. For
example, there are costumers who
social structure. For example, a
usually take pictures of food in
large gathering of people such social media. But since these
as concerts and other events customers are not the only ones
disrupts traffic flow within the doing it, the average time spent by
vicinity of the event, even customers in their tables will
though it was not intended to increase.
do so.
Manifest and latent dysfunctions bring about
negative effects or outcomes.
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 Understanding manifest and latent
dysfunctions help sociologists assess
risks and prepare accordingly. Such
assessments and preparations can be
in different fields and can be useful in
various fields and professions.

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Give example of Manifest
and Latent Function
(10 pts.)

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IMPORTANT
THEORISTS

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 Law of Three Stages
1. Theological Stage
2. Metaphysical Stage
3. Positive Stage

Auguste Comte
Auguste Comte provided an analysis of social
evolution through his Law of Three Stages. Comte
provided a theory of society and man’s cognitive
progression from religious and abstract concepts to a
scientific perspective. Comte’s ideas are considered as the
precursor to structural functionalism, as he identified
tradition and other social structures as elements in shaping
the society. The Law of Three Stages itself is a critique of
the social structures and of how humans were shaped by
progressive thinking. 12
Herbert Spencer
Herbert Spencer is known as the first sociological
functionalist. His comparison of society to the human body is
the overarching idea of structural functionalism. According to
Spencer, each social structure is like a body part---it has a
purpose and a function in the overall well-being of the
society. He also compared the way organism evolved to how
it handles constant problems.
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Talcott Parsons
Talcott Parsons was an American sociologist
known as one of the primary contributors to the
development of structural functionalism. Parsons
identified the different systems which make up the
structure of the society, which he called systems
levels. The systems he expounded on were the
following: the cultural system, social system,
personality system and biological system. All these
system work and interact with each other in some
level to provide structure to the society.
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 The cultural system is the structure that the society
generated throughout history so that people can
socialize and live together as a community. The social
system is understood as the roles people have in
society. The personality system refers to how
individuals affect society through their personalities,
attitudes, behaviors, beliefs and other characteristics.
Lastly, the behavioral or biological system is the
physical body of the individual and the environment
where he or she lives in.
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Davis and Moore
Kingsley Davis (1908–1997) and Wilbert Moore (1914–1987)
were American sociologists known for the functionalist theory of
stratification or Davis- Moore hypothesis. Their hypothesis suggest
that social inequalities are necessary so that society benefits from
them-from the poor, the middle class and the rich.
In order for the organization structure to function properly, the
positions in this hierarchical structure are accompanied by necessary
qualifications and experiences so that competent individuals would
fill the positions. Any deviation from these qualifications would
undermine the entire organization. Thus, individuals with higher
education, skill, experience and training are placed on top of those
who are less qualified.
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Robert Merton
Robert Merton (1910–2003) was an American sociologist
who is also a key contributor to the functionalist theory of society.
Specifically, he was the one who developed the concepts of
manifest and latent functions and dysfunctions.
Merton focused on dysfunction as it opposes the idea of
functional unity, which presupposes that everything works
optimally all the time and that distortions exist in society. Because
dysfunction is dependent upon who is asked, it is called valued
term. For example, a vehicular accident is seen as a dysfunction,
but can also be an opportunity for a tow truck driver or junkyard
dealer to gain profit (the former by towing wrecked vehicles, the
latter by recycling the parts of the vehicles). 17
Assessment 1
Direction: Read each item carefully and write T f the statement
is true, and write F if the statement is false. Write your answers
in your activity notebook.
____1. Microstructures are the social structures formed among
groups or institutions.
____2. Social functions are the effects of social structures or
their purpose.
____3. Macrostructures are social structures that were
established by the individual or within a group that resulted in
individual interactions.

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Assessment 1
____4. Structural functionalism is the essential sociological
theory that revolves around the notion that a society is
composed of a system of interconnected parts that have their
own particular function.
____5. Manifest function is the predicted, intended, and
expected effect of a social structure.
____6. Structural functionalism is the same as the human body
parts that have specific functions, functionalism implies that all
structures in society have their own purpose and specific
functions.

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THAN
KS!
Any questions?

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