What is sociological functionalism?

It refers to a sociological theory, which focuses on the functional analysis of the institutional structure of the social system. Formed after World War II. The main representatives are Parsons and Merton in the United States. It developed from the theory of social organism and early functionalism, and advocated using functional analysis to understand and explain the relationship between the whole social system and the social system.

It is believed that social life can be maintained because society has found the means (structure) to meet human needs (functions). Its most important theory is social equilibrium theory.

Functionalism is to pay attention to the functionality and practicality of products in design, that is, any design must ensure the full expression of product functions and uses, followed by the aesthetic feeling of products. In short, functionalism is the supremacy of function.

Extended data:

Social and biological organisms are similar in many ways. This concept contains three main points:

First, the structure of society and biological organisms is the same. Animals are composed of cells, tissues and organs; Similarly, a society consists of groups, classes and social environment.

Second, like biological organisms, a society must meet its basic needs if it wants to continue. For example, a society must be able to obtain food and natural resources from its surroundings and distribute them to its members.

Third, similar to the various parts that make up biological organisms, all parts of the social system also need to play a coordinating role to maintain the benign operation of society. Influenced by Italian sociologist Pareto, Spencer and his followers insisted that any system would naturally tend to be balanced or stable.

There is an input-output exchange relationship between social system and other systems, and between subsystems within social system. Money, power, influence and value commitment are all exchange media. This exchange makes the social order structured. Parsons believes that the social system tends to be balanced, and satisfying four necessary functional conditions can keep the system stable.

Baidu Encyclopedia-Structural Functionalism