Functions involve the contribution something makes to meet the systems needs; so as the circulatory system of the body carries nutrients and oxygen to the tissues, the economy helps maintain the social system by meeting the needs for food and shelter. It was further developed by Emile Durkeim and other modern sociologists such as Talcott Parsons and by R. K. Merton. A conference held in Boulder, Colorado in 1949 concluded that clinical psychologists should be incorporating both a scientific and practical approach within their framework and training model. This essay will examine the social capital theory, democracy, civil society, as well as examining cases studied in Italy and Weimar Germany. Strengths. Change ). Labelling theory is a prevalent idea within the Interactionist equilibrium and remains importantly used in the study of deviance. Out-Dated Or Still Relevant? Interactionists place greater emphasis on agency as opposed to social structure, and believe that deviancy is a socially constructed entity born out of labelling deviants, self-presentation, and perception by other (Giddens & Sutton, 2009). Functionalism began with Auguste Comte (1798-1857) and Herbert Spencer (1820-1903). The early functionalists drew an analogy between society and an organism, i.e, the human body. ( Log Out /  Functionalism is a theory of social observation that was first uncovered by social scientist Emile Durkheim that, as Durkheim claims, focuses on what binds society together and what intrinsically binds the individual to it, how society appears to be a separate entity and how a strong sense of morality is crucial to maintaining the traditional structures of social life (Durkheim, 1997). 1. Policies originating from such parties emphasise less immigration, tougher border control and discourage health tourism. However, social capital may also lead to negative outcomes if the political institution and democracy in a specific country is not strong enough and therefore overpowered by the social capital groups (Berman). Recently the media in Britain have sought to represent such groups as being deviant towards British culture and society, a possible threat to the British way of living. 2.0 / 5 based on 1 rating. Functionalism is largely derived from the work of sociologists such as Emile Durkheim and Talcott Parsons. It allowed social scientists to analyze the functions of these cultures and try to understand how each part contributed to society. There has been considerable and increasing interest in social capital theory in recent years. Moreover, Merton observed a ‘strain’ in society, whereby individuals delve into deviancy to achieve the ‘American Dream’, a shared social goal. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. He found that suicide rates varied both amongst and within societies then went on to conclude Durkheim believes that social solidarity is vital - a unitation of individuals creating an all round feeling of commitment and a sense of belonging to society as a whole. Merton believed that middle range theory was the... ...Robert D. Putnam has argued that non-political organizations in civil society are vital for democracy. Howard Becker observed this during his study of marijuana smokers, and found that individuals associated key characteristics with smokers and thus is deemed as a negative lifestyle choice. A strength of the functionalist theory is that it a macro level structural theory which uses an organic analogy- using the body as a way to describe the different parts within society. Immigration is often referred to through the word ‘pouring’, and the exact number of immigrants used with negative connotations (The Sun, 2016). Another study linked to Functionalist perspectives on deviance is that of Robert Merton’s ideas relating to ‘strain theory’. Functionalism is a consensus perspective, whereby society is based on shared values and norms into which members are socialised. Moreover, Phenomenological approaches have suggested that, as opposed to human’s creating, forming, and acting within the world around them, that instead individuals are born into an already constructed world and that they rarely question this, or influence it, throughout their lifespan (Fulcher & Scott, 2011). Overall, in conclusion, the functionalist approach has many strengths and weaknesses about the way in which society functions and the needs it requires. Experiences in childhood are proposed to be the basis of human personality, according to Freud and as such Psychodynamic theory proposes that some undesirable unbalances between the id and superego can create the arising of ego defence mechanisms which explain individual differences in behaviour. Stigma is regularly associated with those residing in asylums or institutions. This approach shows how a part of society can work at two different levels – both fulfilling the needs of each_____ and meeting the needs of the whole _____ at the same time. Meanwhile, critics of the Interactionist view of deviancy would claim that, in response to the Interactionist claim that no act or facet of behaviour is intrinsically ‘deviant’, that differing cultures do indeed view various acts and models of behaviour as being deviant. In conclusion, Interactionism would appear to be the most accurate way in which to explain deviance within society. punishing a murderer is functional for reinforcing social solidarity but isn't functional for the murderer, Functionalism fails to ask 'Functional for whom? Publications have, however, spoken positively regarding the issue of migration, and claim it to be a driving force for the United Kingdom’s present economic recovery (The Guardian, 2016). ( Log Out /  Parsons identifies three similarities; System, System Needs and Functions. Furthermore, many Functionalist theorists have made their views clear on the concept of deviance. 0.0 / 5. Mead believed that symbols were a key aspect of interpretation, alongside language and gestures for the ‘mind’, that the ‘self’ was moulded through such aspects, and that the ‘mind’ and the ‘self’ converge within a society, leading the individual to mould society around themselves, and is in turn influenced by forces that they do not control from others (Mead, 1934). Does functionalism still have a place in modern society? He outlined the three features of what he believed to make up the scientist-practitioner role: Functionalist thoughts surrounding this subject could claim that such migrants wish to cause discontent within society. Freudian theory has been adapted by neo-Freudians, however while psychodynamic theories and treatments from which are still often used and widely known across the world, other theories of personality offer completely different approaches to human individuality and explanations diverge and provide weaknesses for Psychodynamic theory.