РефератыИностранный языкFuFunctionalism Essay Research Paper Functionalism is a

Functionalism Essay Research Paper Functionalism is a

Functionalism Essay, Research Paper


Functionalism is a system used by cultures which concentrates


on and emphasises the functional interactions of cultures and


societies, i.e. why and how certain rituals, daily chores etc.


are performed within societies. It makes "law-like"


generalisations which are employed to explain and predict social


phenomena. The first main idea is that each culture or society can be


viewed as a system that consists of many similar elements that


function either separately or together. It is also believed that


if one of these elements was altered or removed, then this would


affect the other elements and the system as a whole. The other main idea, the Malinowskian view,? is that all of


the aspects, such as rituals, ceremonies etc. of a society or


culture are performed because they are required to fulfil the


biological and/or psychological needs of the individuals of that


society. For example, hunting and gathering is performed in some


cultures to fulfil the biological need of eating for the


individuals of that society. The theory of cultural relativism can be used to explain why


the functionalist theory is applied to certain societies- the


activities that they perform are done so because they are


regarded as important and necessary according to the different


valu

es of each society. If we combine these two ideas, we are


able to see that both the Functionalist and cultural relativist


theories centred around the fact that the people of societies


perform their activities and behave in the ways that they do


because these actions and thoughts correspond and are considered


to be right and acceptable in terms of the values of the


society. Functionalism says that: – All elements within a society interconnect and work


together


- If one dynamic is changed, it will alter the whole of


society


- Society will change to accommodate this change.


- Everything has a specific function in society


- Society will always function in harmony, as it will accommodate


change, by changing itself. Problems with Functionalism – Not all elements within a society interconnect.


- Because it argues that society itself changes to accommodate


new dynamics, it fails to provide an explanation for wars and


conflicts that may arise in particular societies.


- It disregards the immediate causes and motivations which are


necessary in order to give rise to a phenomenon (i.e. some


behaviours and phenomenon can not be accounted for, even by those


individuals themselves who perform that behaviour, like mental


illness or criminal behaviour, what function do they


serve?)

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