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Today’s Class

Today’s Class. Functionalism Parsons Merton Functionalist approach to stratification Neofunctionalism. Talcott Parsons (1902-1979). Dominance of functionalism mid-20 th century Grand theory: problem of order Definition of social action Voluntaristic Subjective Limited by culture

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Today’s Class

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  1. Today’s 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. Merton’s 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 society’s 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?

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