Robert Merton Functionalism

Robert K. Merton created a theory called functionalism explaining that everything in society serves a function. These functions are formed from expected consequences which fill social needs; hence serving a function. Social institutions fabricate functions and anthropologists thrive to understand the use of these functions rather than judging their validity. With this, society gains a sense of predictability thus social stability is established. On the other hand, some institutions can provide negative functions that may solely serve a niche in society rather than the major population, which leads to tensions, as everyone is power-hungry these days. As a whole, functionalism longs to increase social stability through positive institutions. …show more content…
To begin, the legal system was an institution Pickton was quite familiar with as he essentially got away with a previous crime. On March 23, 1997, Pickton repeatedly slashed Wendy Lynn Eistetter with a kitchen knife in his farm. Clearly, he got away with this crime despite the charges laid against him, as he was given the legal right to freedom, which he then abused to kill 49 lives. Legal officials say the police interrogation Pickton participated in for Eistetter’s attempted murder, could have been conducted more thoroughly and professionally to have prevented his future killings. Having said that, Pickton got away with such a wicked scandal that perhaps he wanted to keep pushing buttons to see what else he could get away with. Our legal system has a foundation of a presumption of innocence, everyone is innocent unless proven otherwise. This serves justice to several citizens, however, there are also consequences to this right exemplified in Pickton’s early case because there just wasn’t a sufficient amount of evidence to convict him guilty without