Talcot Parsons Structural Functionalism

1
Talcot Parsons Structural Functionalism

• Ritzer, G. (1988). Chapter seven
  Structural functionalism, neofunctionalism, and
  the conflict theory alternative. In G. Ritzer,
  Sociological theory (2nd ed., pp. 200-241). New
  York Knopf.

2
Terms

• Definition of Function
• Complex activities.
• Directed toward meeting a need or needs.
• AGIL
• Four functional imperatives that are necessary or
  characteristic of all systems.
• They are linked to action systems.

3
AGIL

• Adaptation
• A system must cope with external situations.
• It must adapt to its environment and change the
  environment to meet its needs.
• Goal attainment a system must define and achieve
  its primary goals.
• Integration
• A system must regulate the interrelationship of
  its component parts.
• It must also manage the relationship between the
  three other functional imperatives (A, G, L).
• Latency (pattern maintenance)
• A system must create motivation for individuals
  to accept cultural patterns.
• It must maintain and renew motivation of
  individuals.
• It must maintain and renew cultural patterns.

4
The Action System

• Assumptions
• Systems are orderly and the parts are
  interdependent.
• Systems tend to act toward equilibrium.
• The nature of one part of a system influences the
  form of other parts of the system.
• Systems maintain boundaries with their
  environments.
• Systems tend toward self-maintenance of
• boundaries,
• relationship of the parts of the system to the
  whole system,
• control of environmental variations,
• control of tendencies to try to change the system
  from within.

5
The Action System (cont.)

• Four Action Systems
• Social system
• Interactions between individuals promote social
  norms.
• Emphasizes a passive socialization process.
• Cultural system
• Patterned, ordered system of symbols that are
  used to regulate personal behavior.
• These symbols are both internalized and
  institutionalized.
• Culture is the major force which binds the social
  world.
• Personality system
• The organized system of orientation and
  motivation for an individual.
• Need dispositions drives that are shaped by the
  social setting the basic component of
  personality.
• Behavioral organism biological predispositions
  which provide influence the other situations.