The functionalist perspective is among the first sociological theory posited that has influenced sociologists of every perspective. While many early sociologists felt an overreaching need to shape a hypothesis that largely enveloped and sought to explain most of the social world, Emile Durkheim would pointedly state “it is too much to require that a science bound its subject matter with meticulous precision: for that sector of reality which it aims to study is never set apart from other sectors cleanly and precisely. In reality everything in nature is bound up with everything else in such a way that there can be no break between the different sciences, no terribly precise frontiers” (Durkheim, Emile., and Wilson, Everette, K., 1981) Durkheim
…show more content…
The reason an institution continues to exist is dependent upon its function within that society. When an institution no longer performs a vital function in society it fails and disappears. When this occurs, a new institution rises up to fill the void created by its disappearance. It is the functioning, development, and cohesiveness that sociologists sought to comprehend and one that Durkheim first explored.
Emile Durkheim
Emile Durkheim’s “pre-eminent contribution was to clarify the functions of social norms, and their relations to distinct kinds of social structure” (Merton, R. 1957). He postulated that two types of social solidarity existed in society and the type and function of each were based on the size of the society observed. Smaller, traditional communities possessed a mechanical solidarity in that each family unit and even the individual shared common beliefs, jobs, and similarities that enabled the community to function as a cohesive collective. In this type of society each function an individual performed was analogous among its members thus creating group roles that were largely the same. It did not require specialized roles that …show more content…
As a society grew, role specialization was mandated and individuals became dependent upon one another to provide specific functions within it. This specialization leads to an increased division of labor among its members whereby every individual fulfills a specific function rather than the broader, shared functions that smaller societies share. In this manner, Durkheim adopted Herbert Spencer’s view of society in that as it grew larger, a more specialized division of labor occurs, along with greater interdependence on others. This leads to a society whose social connections create an organic solidarity among its members. Modern societies flourish through interdependence and a general concern for the welfare of others. Another aspect that Durkheim explores is that of social integration, a measure of the social connectedness that an individual assumes and maintains within society. Along with social integration is the regulation of behavioral norms. Social regulation is viewed as normative behaviors expected by the collective in society. This duality of social
The reason an institution continues to exist is dependent upon its function within that society. When an institution no longer performs a vital function in society it fails and disappears. When this occurs, a new institution rises up to fill the void created by its disappearance. It is the functioning, development, and cohesiveness that sociologists sought to comprehend and one that Durkheim first explored.
Emile Durkheim
Emile Durkheim’s “pre-eminent contribution was to clarify the functions of social norms, and their relations to distinct kinds of social structure” (Merton, R. 1957). He postulated that two types of social solidarity existed in society and the type and function of each were based on the size of the society observed. Smaller, traditional communities possessed a mechanical solidarity in that each family unit and even the individual shared common beliefs, jobs, and similarities that enabled the community to function as a cohesive collective. In this type of society each function an individual performed was analogous among its members thus creating group roles that were largely the same. It did not require specialized roles that …show more content…
As a society grew, role specialization was mandated and individuals became dependent upon one another to provide specific functions within it. This specialization leads to an increased division of labor among its members whereby every individual fulfills a specific function rather than the broader, shared functions that smaller societies share. In this manner, Durkheim adopted Herbert Spencer’s view of society in that as it grew larger, a more specialized division of labor occurs, along with greater interdependence on others. This leads to a society whose social connections create an organic solidarity among its members. Modern societies flourish through interdependence and a general concern for the welfare of others. Another aspect that Durkheim explores is that of social integration, a measure of the social connectedness that an individual assumes and maintains within society. Along with social integration is the regulation of behavioral norms. Social regulation is viewed as normative behaviors expected by the collective in society. This duality of social