54 Questions
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.
In the functionalist perspective, which component emphasizes the need of every society to have a primarily defined goal?
G - Goal attainment
What was Talcott Parsons' intention in developing his famous scheme known as AGIL?
To unify conflict and functionalism
What distinguishes Latency (pattern maintenance) from Integration in the functionalist perspective?
Latency maintains internal coordination, while Integration ensures system harmony.
Which of the following is NOT part of the AGIL scheme developed by Talcott Parsons?
Latency
What distinguishes subjective motives of individuals from the functions of structures or institutions according to Robert K. Merton?
Subjective motives are individual desires, while functions refer to collective outcomes.
What did Talcott Parsons aim to regulate through functional differentiation with the AGIL scheme?
Conflict within structures
Which theorist sees social change as taking place in the form of adaptive social adjustment based on the needs of society?
Talcott Parsons
How did Talcott Parsons describe adaption within the AGIL scheme?
As a two-way street for coping with external threats
What does the component I (Integration) emphasize in the functionalist perspective?
Internal coordination within a system
Which sociological theorist figure dominated Anglophone countries more than two decades after WWII?
Talcott Parsons
What was the primary function of Integration in Talcott Parsons' AGIL scheme?
To regulate conflict within a structure
Who are the innovators of symbolic interactionism?
Erving Goffman and Harold Garfinkel
Which classical sociological theorists were criticized for their inability to explain change or dynamics?
Bronislaw Malinowski, Emile Durkheim, Herbert Spencer
Who were the contributors to social stratification that enunciated the relationship between social positions and rewards?
Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore
Which contemporary functionalists addressed criticisms against early functionalism?
Talcott Parsons and Robert K. Merton
What are the main criticisms against classical sociological theory?
Inability to explain change or dynamics
Which theorists proposed that different social positions require different skills?
Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore
Ralf Dahrendorf is considered one of the originators of Symbolic Interactionism.
False
Classical functionalism primarily focuses on structural integration and order.
True
According to Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore, society has never been without hierarchical structures.
True
Talcott Parsons and Robert K. Merton were prominent figures in addressing criticisms against classical functionalism.
True
Bronislaw Malinowski was an innovator in the field of Symbolic Interactionism.
False
Harold Garfinkel and Randall Collins are recognized as innovators in the field of conflict theory.
False
Thomas Samuel Kuhn is best known for his work 'The Structure of Scientific Revolution'.
True
Karl Popper supported Thomas Samuel Kuhn's ideas on paradigm shifts.
False
Structural functionalism and Conflict theory are examples of dominant paradigms according to Kuhn.
True
Kuhn believed that scientific models remain static over time without any changes.
False
Symbolic interactionism was a theory heavily criticized by Thomas Samuel Kuhn.
False
Contemporary sociology has not been influenced by paradigmatic shifts according to Kuhn's observations.
False
Robert K. Merton developed the concept of Net Balance to assess whether or not the negative functions of a system outweigh its positive functions.
False
According to Robert K. Merton, functional analysis can only be performed on society as a whole.
False
Robert K. Merton introduced the distinction between manifest and latent functions in his work on functional analysis.
True
Robert K. Merton emphasized that latent functions are always predictable and intended.
False
Karl Popper was a key figure in the development of structural functionalism in sociology.
False
Thomas Kuhns and Karl Popper shared similar views on sociological theorizing and paradigm shifts.
False
Who are the originators of Symbolic Interactionism?
George Simmel and Max Weber
Which classical sociological theorists are associated with the Paradigm of Functionalism?
Bronislaw Malinowski, Emile Durkheim, Herbert Spencer
Who enunciated the relationship between social positions and rewards in social stratification?
Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore
Who were the innovators in the field of Symbolic Interactionism?
Erving Goffman, Harold Garfinkel, Randall Collins
What are the roots of classical functionalism?
Functional unity/universalism, structural integration/order
Which contemporary functionalists built on the existing paradigm of social stratification?
Talcott Parsons and Robert K. Merton
What was the main thesis of Thomas Kuhn's work, The Structure of Scientific Revolution?
Everyday science is embedded within a framework or model which can shift over time.
Who were the originators of Conflict theory in sociology?
Friedrich Engels and Karl Marx
Which sociological theorists are considered innovators of Symbolic Interactionism?
Harold Garfinkel and Randall Collins
What did Karl Popper advocate for in response to Thomas Kuhn's work?
Science rooted in observation and falsification
What is the primary focus of classical functionalism?
Structural integration and order
How did Thomas Kuhn's work influence contemporary sociology?
By inspiring paradigmatic shifts in sociological theories
Define manifest and latent functions in the context of functional analysis.
Manifest functions are recognizable as intended, while latent functions are unintended and lead to unanticipated consequences.
How did Robert K. Merton contribute to functional analysis with the concept of Net Balance?
Merton developed the concept of Net Balance to assess whether the positive functions of a system outweigh its negative functions.
Explain the Levels of Functional Analysis according to Robert K. Merton.
Functional analysis can be performed on any standardized social phenomenon, from society as a whole to smaller groups, distinguishing between manifest and latent functions.
Differentiate between structural functionalism and conflict theory in sociology.
Structural functionalism emphasizes social order and stability through shared values, while conflict theory focuses on power struggles and social inequalities.
Discuss the main idea behind Thomas Kuhn's concept of paradigm shifts in sociology.
Kuhn's concept suggests that scientific disciplines undergo revolutionary changes in fundamental beliefs and practices rather than gradual progress.
How does symbolic interactionism differ from classical functionalism in sociological theorizing?
Symbolic interactionism focuses on micro-level interactions and shared meanings, while classical functionalism emphasizes macro-level structures and functions.
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.
Explore key concepts of Talcott Parsons' sociological theory including Goal Attainment and Integration components. Learn about the importance of defined goals and maintaining internal coherence within a societal system.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
