This document provides an overview of structural functionalism as a sociological theory. It describes structural functionalism as viewing society as a complex system made up of interconnected social institutions that work together towards social equilibrium and stability. Key aspects discussed include the importance of social order, balance between societal factors, and the roles and functions - both manifest and latent - of different social institutions in maintaining societal equilibrium. The document also briefly mentions some notable theorists associated with structural functionalism.

1. Key Concepts And Approaches
In The Social Sciences:
Structural Functionalism,
Marxism, and Symbolic
Interactionism
DISS Q1 – Week 2

2. Learning Competency/ies:
Apply the major social sciences theories
and their importance in examining socio-
cultural, economic, and political
conditions.
1.Structural-functionalism
2.Marxism
3.Symbolic Interactionism

3. STRUCTURAL
FUNCTIONALI
SM

4. STRUCTURAL
FUNCTIONALI
SM ▫ It is the perspective that describes
society as a social system that has
a social structure of its own, made
up of different parts that are
interconnected and work together in
harmony to achieve balance or
social equilibrium.

5. Structural functionalism is a “
framework for building a theory that
sees society as a complex system
whose parts work together to promote
solidarity and stability”(Macionis
2007,15).

6. EQUILIBRIU
M
▫ A state of balance
between different
societal factors.

7. In this perspective, the society’s
system is seen as analogous to the
human system wherein all systems
of the body should be working
harmoniously in order to be a
functional body. The structure of the
whole is very important to be
functional.

8. In this perspective, connection is
very important. In the human
society, the social institutions have
specific defined functions in society,
all of them are needed and
interconnected to achieve social
order or equilibrium in society to
survive as a system.

9. SOCIAL
INSTITUTIONS
 Pillars of the human society
 Social institutions: government,
economy, education, religion, family
 Family is the most basic and the most
important element of the society

10. Structuralism is the term used that
believes that it is a MUST the
human should be part of the big
structure. Humans should be
interrelated with other individuals.
The saying “No man is an island”
greatly describes what structuralism
is.

11. In structural functionalism, to
describe the effects of societal
elements, the terms Functional and
Dysfunctional are used.

12. Functional means that elements of
society do their specific tasks or
jobs in order to contribute to the
social equilibrium.

13. Dysfunctional is the complete
opposite of functional. Being
dysfunctional means they disrupt
the balance in society, that is, if
social institutions fail to fulfill their
functions or break down, society will
have serious social problems.

14. 2 Types of Functions
1. Manifest Function
1. 2. Latent Function

15. Manifest Functions are
consequences or effects that are
intended and recognized by the
norm.

16. Latent Functions are consequences
that are unintended or hidden.

17. 2 Types of
Functions
Education Television
Manifest For transmission of
knowledge and skills
to the society
For entertainment,
information and
news
Latent Used for babysitting,
to contained the
children while the
parents are busy
earning a leaving or
doing other things
To escape
boredom while at
home

18. Notable structural functionalists are
Emile Durkheim, Robert Merton,
Talcott Parsons, and Herbert
Spencers.