Todays Class

1
Todays Class

• Functionalism
• Parsons
• Merton
• Functionalist approach to stratification
• Neofunctionalism

2
Talcott Parsons (1902-1979)

• Dominance of functionalism mid-20th century
• Grand theory problem of order
• Definition of social action
• Voluntaristic
• Subjective
• Limited by culture
• Society as a system

3
The System of Modern Societies

• System of action with 4 subsystems
• Subsystems and primary functions (AGIL)
• Adaptation
• Goal attainment
• Integration
• Pattern-maintenance (Latency)

4
Subsystems and Primary Functions
5
Independence of Subsystems

• Subsystems are related but independently variable
  no subsystem is completely reducible to any
  other subsystem.
• Example individual career choice

6
Parsons on Sex Roles

• Segregated roles in American family
• Asymmetrical relation functional, but causes
  strain
• Functional for occupational system
• Functional for solidary kinship unit
• Work and family mutual accommodation
• Functional for spouse relationships
• Strain prestige differential

7
Critiques of Parsons

• Too focused on order and stability ignores
  conflict, inequality and change
• No elaboration of theory through empirical
  investigations

8
Robert K. Merton (1910- )

• Middle-range theories
• Types of deviance
• Innovator
• Ritualist
• Retreatist
• Rebel
• Anomie inconsistency of means and goals
• Role-sets
• Possibility of conflict

9
Mertons Contributions to Functionalism

• Manifest vs. latent functions
• Concept of dysfunction
• Concept of functional alternatives

10
Stratification A Functionalist Account(Davis
and Moore)

• Social inequality as necessary, inevitable,
  functional
• Need to distribute people into positions
• Not all positions are equal
• Functional importance
• Talent and skills
• Rewards material, intellectual/emotional,
  cultural (prestige)

11
Stratification A Functionalist Account(Davis
and Moore)

• Highest rewards to
• Most functionally important
• Most talent or skills required
• Prestige as reward (not merely outcome of
  material rewards)

12
Problems with Functionalist Account

• Defining functionally important
• Market imperfections
• Linking talent and opportunities
• Elite behavior (restricting access)
• Ignores dysfunctional aspects of stratification

13
Dysfunctions of Stratification

• Limits expression of talent ? limits societys
  productive resources
• Provides elite with power to maintain status quo
• Inhibits social integration (hostility,
  resentment, etc,)
• Limits sense of social membership ? reduced
  loyalty and participation

14
Executive Compensation

• Year 2000 20m average pay
• Growing disparity CEO pay as multiple of
  blue-collar pay
• 1980 42x
• 1990 85x
• 2000 531x
• Pay not tied to performance

15
Pay for Performance?
16
Functionalism vs. Neofunctionalism

• Problem-solving
• Structural differentiation
• Systems
• Culture

17
In-Class Writing

• According to Colomy and Greiner, why was the
  Youth Offender System (YOS) created in Colorado
  in 1993? How does their neofunctionalist
  explanation differ from a functionalist
  explanation of the creation of YOS?

18
Class Discussion

• What are the competing views of how to handle
  these cases? Who expresses these views?
• Do the filmmakers have a clear point of view?
• What are your opinions on how these kinds of
  offenders should be handled?