Today’s Class Functionalism – Parsons – Merton – Functionalist approach to stratification Neofunctionalism

Talcott Parsons ( ) Dominance of functionalism mid-20 th century Grand theory: problem of order Definition of social action – Voluntaristic – Subjective – Limited by culture Society as a system

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

Subsystems and Primary Functions SubsystemFunction Social systemIntegration Cultural systemPattern maintenance Personality systemGoal attainment Behavioral organismAdaptation

Independence of Subsystems Subsystems are related but independently variable – no subsystem is completely reducible to any other subsystem. Example: individual career choice

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

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

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

Merton’s Contributions to Functionalism Manifest vs. latent functions Concept of dysfunction Concept of functional alternatives

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)

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)

Problems with Functionalist Account Defining “functionally important” Market imperfections – Linking talent and opportunities – Elite behavior (restricting access) Ignores dysfunctional aspects of stratification

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

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

Pay for Performance? CompanyYears CEO Pay (Cumul.) Stock vs. S&P Bank of America’96-00$96m-34% Sprint’96-00$218m-34% Conseco’95-99$146-50%

Functionalism vs. Neofunctionalism Problem-solving Structural differentiation Systems Culture

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?

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?