Podcast
Questions and Answers
What distinguishes Robert K. Merton from Talcott Parsons in terms of theoretical contribution to functionalism?
What distinguishes Robert K. Merton from Talcott Parsons in terms of theoretical contribution to functionalism?
- Merton favored Marxism in his theoretical contribution while Parsons did not. (correct)
- Merton highlighted the function of integration while Parsons did not.
- Merton emphasized the need for defined goals in every society while Parsons did not.
- Merton focused on social change while Parsons focused on adaptive social adjustment.
In the functionalist perspective, which component emphasizes the need of every society to have a primarily defined goal?
In the functionalist perspective, which component emphasizes the need of every society to have a primarily defined goal?
- E - Equilibrium
- L - Latency
- G - Goal attainment (correct)
- I - Integration
What was Talcott Parsons' intention in developing his famous scheme known as AGIL?
What was Talcott Parsons' intention in developing his famous scheme known as AGIL?
- To study manifestations of social positions
- To unify conflict and functionalism (correct)
- To prioritize latent functions over manifest functions
- To create conflict within the sociological paradigms
What distinguishes Latency (pattern maintenance) from Integration in the functionalist perspective?
What distinguishes Latency (pattern maintenance) from Integration in the functionalist perspective?
Which of the following is NOT part of the AGIL scheme developed by Talcott Parsons?
Which of the following is NOT part of the AGIL scheme developed by Talcott Parsons?
What distinguishes subjective motives of individuals from the functions of structures or institutions according to Robert K. Merton?
What distinguishes subjective motives of individuals from the functions of structures or institutions according to Robert K. Merton?
What did Talcott Parsons aim to regulate through functional differentiation with the AGIL scheme?
What did Talcott Parsons aim to regulate through functional differentiation with the AGIL scheme?
Which theorist sees social change as taking place in the form of adaptive social adjustment based on the needs of society?
Which theorist sees social change as taking place in the form of adaptive social adjustment based on the needs of society?
How did Talcott Parsons describe adaption within the AGIL scheme?
How did Talcott Parsons describe adaption within the AGIL scheme?
What does the component I (Integration) emphasize in the functionalist perspective?
What does the component I (Integration) emphasize in the functionalist perspective?
Which sociological theorist figure dominated Anglophone countries more than two decades after WWII?
Which sociological theorist figure dominated Anglophone countries more than two decades after WWII?
What was the primary function of Integration in Talcott Parsons' AGIL scheme?
What was the primary function of Integration in Talcott Parsons' AGIL scheme?
Who are the innovators of symbolic interactionism?
Who are the innovators of symbolic interactionism?
Which classical sociological theorists were criticized for their inability to explain change or dynamics?
Which classical sociological theorists were criticized for their inability to explain change or dynamics?
Who were the contributors to social stratification that enunciated the relationship between social positions and rewards?
Who were the contributors to social stratification that enunciated the relationship between social positions and rewards?
Which contemporary functionalists addressed criticisms against early functionalism?
Which contemporary functionalists addressed criticisms against early functionalism?
What are the main criticisms against classical sociological theory?
What are the main criticisms against classical sociological theory?
Which theorists proposed that different social positions require different skills?
Which theorists proposed that different social positions require different skills?
Ralf Dahrendorf is considered one of the originators of Symbolic Interactionism.
Ralf Dahrendorf is considered one of the originators of Symbolic Interactionism.
Classical functionalism primarily focuses on structural integration and order.
Classical functionalism primarily focuses on structural integration and order.
According to Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore, society has never been without hierarchical structures.
According to Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore, society has never been without hierarchical structures.
Talcott Parsons and Robert K. Merton were prominent figures in addressing criticisms against classical functionalism.
Talcott Parsons and Robert K. Merton were prominent figures in addressing criticisms against classical functionalism.
Bronislaw Malinowski was an innovator in the field of Symbolic Interactionism.
Bronislaw Malinowski was an innovator in the field of Symbolic Interactionism.
Harold Garfinkel and Randall Collins are recognized as innovators in the field of conflict theory.
Harold Garfinkel and Randall Collins are recognized as innovators in the field of conflict theory.
Thomas Samuel Kuhn is best known for his work 'The Structure of Scientific Revolution'.
Thomas Samuel Kuhn is best known for his work 'The Structure of Scientific Revolution'.
Karl Popper supported Thomas Samuel Kuhn's ideas on paradigm shifts.
Karl Popper supported Thomas Samuel Kuhn's ideas on paradigm shifts.
Structural functionalism and Conflict theory are examples of dominant paradigms according to Kuhn.
Structural functionalism and Conflict theory are examples of dominant paradigms according to Kuhn.
Kuhn believed that scientific models remain static over time without any changes.
Kuhn believed that scientific models remain static over time without any changes.
Symbolic interactionism was a theory heavily criticized by Thomas Samuel Kuhn.
Symbolic interactionism was a theory heavily criticized by Thomas Samuel Kuhn.
Contemporary sociology has not been influenced by paradigmatic shifts according to Kuhn's observations.
Contemporary sociology has not been influenced by paradigmatic shifts according to Kuhn's observations.
Robert K. Merton developed the concept of Net Balance to assess whether or not the negative functions of a system outweigh its positive functions.
Robert K. Merton developed the concept of Net Balance to assess whether or not the negative functions of a system outweigh its positive functions.
According to Robert K. Merton, functional analysis can only be performed on society as a whole.
According to Robert K. Merton, functional analysis can only be performed on society as a whole.
Robert K. Merton introduced the distinction between manifest and latent functions in his work on functional analysis.
Robert K. Merton introduced the distinction between manifest and latent functions in his work on functional analysis.
Robert K. Merton emphasized that latent functions are always predictable and intended.
Robert K. Merton emphasized that latent functions are always predictable and intended.
Karl Popper was a key figure in the development of structural functionalism in sociology.
Karl Popper was a key figure in the development of structural functionalism in sociology.
Thomas Kuhns and Karl Popper shared similar views on sociological theorizing and paradigm shifts.
Thomas Kuhns and Karl Popper shared similar views on sociological theorizing and paradigm shifts.
Who are the originators of Symbolic Interactionism?
Who are the originators of Symbolic Interactionism?
Which classical sociological theorists are associated with the Paradigm of Functionalism?
Which classical sociological theorists are associated with the Paradigm of Functionalism?
Who enunciated the relationship between social positions and rewards in social stratification?
Who enunciated the relationship between social positions and rewards in social stratification?
Who were the innovators in the field of Symbolic Interactionism?
Who were the innovators in the field of Symbolic Interactionism?
What are the roots of classical functionalism?
What are the roots of classical functionalism?
Which contemporary functionalists built on the existing paradigm of social stratification?
Which contemporary functionalists built on the existing paradigm of social stratification?
What was the main thesis of Thomas Kuhn's work, The Structure of Scientific Revolution?
What was the main thesis of Thomas Kuhn's work, The Structure of Scientific Revolution?
Who were the originators of Conflict theory in sociology?
Who were the originators of Conflict theory in sociology?
Which sociological theorists are considered innovators of Symbolic Interactionism?
Which sociological theorists are considered innovators of Symbolic Interactionism?
What did Karl Popper advocate for in response to Thomas Kuhn's work?
What did Karl Popper advocate for in response to Thomas Kuhn's work?
What is the primary focus of classical functionalism?
What is the primary focus of classical functionalism?
How did Thomas Kuhn's work influence contemporary sociology?
How did Thomas Kuhn's work influence contemporary sociology?
Define manifest and latent functions in the context of functional analysis.
Define manifest and latent functions in the context of functional analysis.
How did Robert K. Merton contribute to functional analysis with the concept of Net Balance?
How did Robert K. Merton contribute to functional analysis with the concept of Net Balance?
Explain the Levels of Functional Analysis according to Robert K. Merton.
Explain the Levels of Functional Analysis according to Robert K. Merton.
Differentiate between structural functionalism and conflict theory in sociology.
Differentiate between structural functionalism and conflict theory in sociology.
Discuss the main idea behind Thomas Kuhn's concept of paradigm shifts in sociology.
Discuss the main idea behind Thomas Kuhn's concept of paradigm shifts in sociology.
How does symbolic interactionism differ from classical functionalism in sociological theorizing?
How does symbolic interactionism differ from classical functionalism in sociological theorizing?
Flashcards are hidden until you start studying
Study Notes
Theoretical Contributions to Functionalism
- Robert K. Merton is distinguished from Talcott Parsons in terms of theoretical contributions to functionalism.
Components of the Functionalist Perspective
- The component that emphasizes the need of every society to have a primarily defined goal is the Integration component.
Talcott Parsons' AGIL Scheme
- Talcott Parsons developed the AGIL scheme to regulate social change through functional differentiation.
- The AGIL scheme consists of four components: Adaptation, Goal-attainment, Integration, and Latency.
- Latency (pattern maintenance) is distinguished from Integration in the functionalist perspective as it focuses on pattern maintenance, whereas Integration focuses on social integration.
Distinguishing Features of Theorists
- Robert K. Merton distinguishes subjective motives of individuals from the functions of structures or institutions by emphasizing the role of individual motives in shaping social structures.
- Talcott Parsons aimed to regulate social change through functional differentiation with the AGIL scheme.
Key Concepts in Functionalism
- Integration (I) emphasizes social integration in the functionalist perspective.
- Robert K. Merton introduced the concept of Net Balance to assess whether or not the negative functions of a system outweigh its positive functions.
- Robert K. Merton also introduced the distinction between manifest and latent functions in functional analysis, highlighting that latent functions are not always predictable or intended.
Theorists and Their Contributions
- Talcott Parsons dominated Anglophone countries with his functionalist perspective more than two decades after WWII.
- George Herbert Mead and Herbert Blumer are innovators of symbolic interactionism.
- Robert K. Merton and Talcott Parsons are prominent figures in addressing criticisms against classical functionalism.
- Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore enunciated the relationship between social positions and rewards in social stratification.
Criticisms and Limitations
- Classical sociological theorists, including Parsons and Merton, were criticized for their inability to explain change or dynamics.
- Contemporary functionalists, including Parsons and Merton, addressed criticisms against early functionalism.
- Main criticisms against classical sociological theory include its inability to explain change or dynamics.
Influence of Theorists and Concepts
- Thomas Kuhn's work, The Structure of Scientific Revolution, influenced contemporary sociology with his concept of paradigm shifts.
- Karl Popper supported Thomas Kuhn's ideas on paradigm shifts, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of scientific models.
- Structural functionalism and conflict theory are examples of dominant paradigms according to Kuhn.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
