Functionalist Essays (Examples)

165+ documents containing “functionalist”.


Sort By:

Reset Filters

functionalist social theory to answer, "Why are people interested in joining health clubs?" Culture, social structure and social interaction play major roles in contributing to the reasons why people are fanatically interested in sports. This paper will show how the manifest function of health clubs is that the physical appearance of a person is enhanced looking smarter and thinner by joining health clubs. In contrast, the latent function of health clubs is this that the diet suggested by these institutions to different members reflects the required needs of a body. Gym members have a connection to the functional aspects of their health club as it represents something that is critical: their health, self-image and entertainment.
Coakley (2009, p. 5) argues that a group's culture can be defined as the collective ways of life and the shared understandings as they live together. I grew up in a house with my two….

Functionalist view role education ritain. Plan Introduction - write a paragraph explain answer question. You explain discussing Functionalist views role education describing evaluating views Durkheim Parsons.
Sociology essay: Assess the functionalist view of the role of education in ritain

How best to educate children is a constant source of national debate in Great ritain. Likewise, the question of the function or role of education in society is no less contentious amongst sociological theorists. During the early 20th century, functionalism was the dominant mode used to conceptualize the purpose of education. In the 1960s and 1970s, Marxist critics and other authors on the subject of education began to become more critical of its central tenants, which they saw as reinforcing social inequalities rather than honoring the capacity of the educational system to enact meaningful changes to improve people's lives and to disrupt the unjust nature of the class system.

The purpose of education….

It is through the conflict theory that class systems are seen. It is the elite of society that dictates the rules to the masses. Institutions that are created are done so as a means of supporting those who are in power and those who are seen as superior within society. Any action that challenges those in power is perceived as deviant and discouraged. Conflict theory centers on: competition over scarce resources, inequalities in power, change as a result of conflict, and war as a unifier of society and an ender of societies ("Conflict theory," n.d.).
Prison institutions are easily understood in this view of society.

The elite of society need a way to maintain control of the individuals below them, utilizing the conflict paradigm.

Prison serves as punishment of those who deviate from the rules set forth, as well as serves as a deterrent for those who may be considering deviation. it's….

While it typically escapes our conscious realization, our attitudes, beliefs, and values, even about the most fundamental and obvious matters are dictated by the social environment in which we are socialized. The reading also touches upon the phenomenon of racial prejudice and includes a photograph of Jackie obinson, in connection with what the text describes as his "historic" breakthrough of the color barrier that once existed in professional baseball. That particular element of the text reminded me of another reading, the 1928 story by Zora Neale Hurston, "How it Feels to Be Colored Me." Whereas the assigned text discusses the phenomenon of racism in American society during the pre-Civil ights era, Hurston's account provides an important first-hand perspective from the point-of-view of someone who experienced it personally throughout her life. In my opinion, as important as it is to discuss these types of issues academically, the analytical perspective can….

them mentality' provoking social intolerance and social or potentially violent military conflict with a religious society's differently believing neighbors. At best religion stifles individual creativity within a society, as people become afraid to espouse alternative points-of-view. The development of the Christian religion that coincided with a rise in anti-Semitism, as Christians reacted with intolerance against a smaller, minority religion is one example, as might be the lack of dissent advocated with excessively homogeneous neighborhoods in the racially polarized South of the 1950's. Thus the conflict perspective stresses the ability of dearly held, intransient beliefs to create negative forms of conflict and to stifle positive forms of dissent and creative perspectives upon life that differ with the hegemonic view. Because religious worldviews cannot be questioned by logic, they become entrenched, and create more negative societal views and conflict with others who believe differently.
orks Cited

Curry, Tim; Jiobu, Robert; and Schwirian, Kent….

Functionalist Roles of Markets and Misers in Candace Allen and Dwight Lee's In Defense Of Markets And Misers
People have always created thoughts and attitudes towards particular people or phenomena in the society based on their/its: (a) benefits to people and (b) potential inconveniences that the person or phenomenon can cause them. This is exactly the main thesis that Candace Allen and Dwight Lee confronts and explores in the article, In Defense of Markets and Misers. Using the functionalist perspective and deviating from the general opinion, Allen and Lee discusses how, in an indirect manner, markets and misers contribute to economic growth and developed. The authors used as tools for analysis the economic framework, where they can best explain how markets and misers play a vital role in the development of a nation's economy, particularly in lowering prices of goods and commodities and increasing the spending power of the consumers (people).

The….

From a functionalist perspective, colleges are crucial parts or systems in the society because it promotes and makes possible education for the society. However, from a conflict theory standpoint, colleges can be considered structures or systems through which only those with access to education continue to perpetuate the 'oppression' of the "have-nots" -- people who cannot afford a college education. Symbolic interactionism, meanwhile, looks at colleges as an important tradition and process in the American society, wherein people are expected to be educated and go through the process of entering and having a college education, towards the goal of becoming a productive and/or learned member of the society. Primarily, symbolic interactionism focuses on the tradition of continuing education, and education as a critical part of every person's being and identity in his/her society.
eference

enzetti, C. And D. Curran. (2000). Living Sociology. MA: Allyn and….

Health Care Debate
PAGES 5 WORDS 1666

health care debate that has been going in the United States. It discusses the Obama Care Act and how it impacts the society. Functionalist perspectives and theories are utilized in analyzing the situation and what outcomes are expected. The major themes and concepts of the functionalist theory are discussed in detail.
The Health Care reform proposed by the Obama Administration has long been the area of debate in America and in countries all over the world. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act go on to cut down the number of people who are not insured. It requires small businesses to provide medical insurance to all the people working in the business. The employers are obliged to provide a good quality medical insurance. Failure of the small business to provide a good health care system will result in a penalty for any employee that goes uninsured. This act applies to….


3. How does the author discuss the relationship between the individual and society?

Once again, interpretivism sees this relationship as a complex and intricate set of actions and interactions that are largely dependent on cultural and social context. In other words, there is no "correct "view of self but rather self and the individual's relationship with society is a result of interaction in different contexts. This view is contrasted with the more objective views of functionalism and Marxism, where the self is seen either in terms of its functional relation to the society or as an object of social repression.

4. How does the author distinguish human actions from other forms of human behavior?

As has been mentioned, the stress in this article is on the importance of context in the interpretivist view of the individual and society. It is this understanding of context that acts as the determining factor in human action….

The emphasis on social stability, as seen in many institutions' suspicion regarding social change, can lead to the perpetuation of social inequality. In some instances, there is even a stronger link between religion and power structures.
The caste system in India privileges the rights of the priestly class. However, political leaders in India have also formed strong ties with the Brahmin class. These ties serve to "legitimize" the power in the political government.

Evaluating conflict theory

Conflict theory provides several important insights regarding the conservative role that religion has played in society. McGuire and Collins' study provide specific cases that uphold Marx's original premise. These studies show how conflict thinking still remains relevant, even until today.

However, the emphasis on the conservative and status quo orientation of religion also glosses over religion's liberating potential. Theologians like Gustavo Gutierrez, a priest who served in a Peruvian slum in the 1960s, argued that ministering to….

Finally, the third of the theories expects the student to develop in accordance with the interaction he had previously developed with the teacher. If the interaction was based on mutual respect and true feelings of cherishing and honesty, with also hard work, the individual is expected to further succeed. If on the other hand the interaction had been based on less fortunate feelings, beliefs and actions, the individual is likely to develop in a manner frowned on by society.
Having to choose a philosophy I would most agree with, I would select realism. The philosophy, promoted by Aristotle, amongst other great thinkers of all times, is a mixture of social influences and personal characteristics. It states that each individual is formed based on the events that occurred in his vicinity, but also by how his personal features made him relate and comprehend those particular events. In other words, realism promotes….

While the functionalist theory and the conflict theory aren't so different in theory, Durkheim's functionalist theory at least offers a bit more hope for students and it doesn't assume that education is meant to keep people in their place. However, preparing students for life is rather elusive as we can see especially today where the quality of education differs so dramatically from state-to-state and even from zip code to zip code.
The interactionist theorists examine how the educator's expectations influence the students' functioning, attitudes and impressions. osenthal and Jackson's groundbreaking study for the interactionist theory approach occurred in 1968 when the researchers studied a group of students of average IQ. The researchers then pointed out a handful of students whom they said would excel dramatically over the course of the coming year. The teachers were told who the students were and the teachers were asked to monitor the students' performance….

To wit, power is a huge influence in any social interaction, and in a study reported by the University of California Press (est, 2008, p. 87), men often interrupt women during conversations because men are generally viewed as the power in any male-female interaction. "Physicians interrupt patients disproportionately" in doctor-patient interactions, est writes, "except when the doctor is a 'lady'; then, "patients interrupt as much or more than physicians, and their interruptions seem to subvert physicians' authority" (est, p. 87). In other words, the stratification of male doctors having the power to interrupt is reversed when a woman is the doctor.
orks Cited

Blumer, Herbert. (1986). Symbolic Interactionism: Perspective and Method. Berkeley:

Breen, Catherine M., Abernethy, Amy P., Abbott, Katherine H., and Tulsky, James a. (2007).

Conflict Associated with Decisions to Limit Life-Sustaining Treatment in Intensive Care

Units. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 16(5), 283-289.

Donovan, Jenny L., and Blake, David R. (2002). Patient non-compliance:….

A weakness, however, can be seen in the fact that the two approaches are often in contradiction, which may make decision-making different for the administrators from time to time.
B.

The tools used to uncover needs in my institution are often based on intimate conversations between the administrators and the teachers. In addition, the teachers are encouraged to ask students about the needs they feel must be met. The teachers, then, report this information to the administration. This reflects the institution's place in the community, as well as its empowerment approach to needs assessment. Other than these empowerment tools, the institution tends to use surveys to collect data from instructors and students regarding the level of satisfaction with the course and specific aspects of the course. While these tools are certainly sufficient for uncovering needs, my institution calls for further tools to be used in order to conduct effective assessments. For….

Some never will be, due to the damage and loss sustained after the hurricane and floods. The society is New Orleans is still suffering because they have lost the order that was there, and are struggling to rebuild it, often without the support of any outside sources. It has taken too long to try to get New Orleans back to normal, and there are questions that wonder if it will ever be remotely close to the place it was before the hurricane.
In the functionalist approach, parts of society are interrelated. That certainly illustrates New Orleans after the hurricane, because the society has struggled so hard to come back together. Restaurants have reopened, Mardi Gras has continued, the French Quarter tries to lure visitors, and the businesses are coming back, some more slowly than others. Many people are determined to rebuild the city and make it better than it was….

image
4 Pages
Essay

Sports

Functionalist Social Theory to Answer Why Are

Words: 1283
Length: 4 Pages
Type: Essay

functionalist social theory to answer, "Why are people interested in joining health clubs?" Culture, social structure and social interaction play major roles in contributing to the reasons why…

Read Full Paper  ❯
image
5 Pages
Essay

Sociology

Functionalist View Role Education Britain Plan Introduction

Words: 1740
Length: 5 Pages
Type: Essay

Functionalist view role education ritain. Plan Introduction - write a paragraph explain answer question. You explain discussing Functionalist views role education describing evaluating views Durkheim Parsons. Sociology essay: Assess…

Read Full Paper  ❯
image
3 Pages
Term Paper

Sociology

Conflict and Functionalist Perspectives Regarding

Words: 782
Length: 3 Pages
Type: Term Paper

It is through the conflict theory that class systems are seen. It is the elite of society that dictates the rules to the masses. Institutions that are created…

Read Full Paper  ❯
image
2 Pages
Term Paper

Mythology

Night Lights A Functionalist Approach

Words: 455
Length: 2 Pages
Type: Term Paper

While it typically escapes our conscious realization, our attitudes, beliefs, and values, even about the most fundamental and obvious matters are dictated by the social environment in which…

Read Full Paper  ❯
image
1 Pages
Term Paper

Mythology - Religion

Functionalist Perspective on Religion Stresses

Words: 374
Length: 1 Pages
Type: Term Paper

them mentality' provoking social intolerance and social or potentially violent military conflict with a religious society's differently believing neighbors. At best religion stifles individual creativity within a society,…

Read Full Paper  ❯
image
3 Pages
Term Paper

Economics

In Defense of Markets and Misers

Words: 863
Length: 3 Pages
Type: Term Paper

Functionalist Roles of Markets and Misers in Candace Allen and Dwight Lee's In Defense Of Markets And Misers People have always created thoughts and attitudes towards particular people or phenomena…

Read Full Paper  ❯
image
1 Pages
Thesis

Sociology

Sociological Theories Understanding Society Also

Words: 315
Length: 1 Pages
Type: Thesis

From a functionalist perspective, colleges are crucial parts or systems in the society because it promotes and makes possible education for the society. However, from a conflict theory…

Read Full Paper  ❯
image
5 Pages
Research Paper

Healthcare

Health Care Debate

Words: 1666
Length: 5 Pages
Type: Research Paper

health care debate that has been going in the United States. It discusses the Obama Care Act and how it impacts the society. Functionalist perspectives and theories are…

Read Full Paper  ❯
image
2 Pages
Thesis

Sociology

Society Does the Author Present

Words: 797
Length: 2 Pages
Type: Thesis

3. How does the author discuss the relationship between the individual and society? Once again, interpretivism sees this relationship as a complex and intricate set of actions and interactions that…

Read Full Paper  ❯
image
6 Pages
Term Paper

Mythology - Religion

Sociology and Religion Sociological Study

Words: 1646
Length: 6 Pages
Type: Term Paper

The emphasis on social stability, as seen in many institutions' suspicion regarding social change, can lead to the perpetuation of social inequality. In some instances, there is even…

Read Full Paper  ❯
image
3 Pages
Thesis

Teaching

Educational Theories Historically There Have

Words: 964
Length: 3 Pages
Type: Thesis

Finally, the third of the theories expects the student to develop in accordance with the interaction he had previously developed with the teacher. If the interaction was based…

Read Full Paper  ❯
image
2 Pages
Research Paper

Teaching

Teaching Education Historically Is Meant

Words: 637
Length: 2 Pages
Type: Research Paper

While the functionalist theory and the conflict theory aren't so different in theory, Durkheim's functionalist theory at least offers a bit more hope for students and it doesn't…

Read Full Paper  ❯
image
5 Pages
Term Paper

Healthcare

Patients and Their Doctors Research

Words: 1747
Length: 5 Pages
Type: Term Paper

To wit, power is a huge influence in any social interaction, and in a study reported by the University of California Press (est, 2008, p. 87), men often…

Read Full Paper  ❯
image
2 Pages
Thesis

Teaching

Institution Uses a Combination of

Words: 553
Length: 2 Pages
Type: Thesis

A weakness, however, can be seen in the fact that the two approaches are often in contradiction, which may make decision-making different for the administrators from time to…

Read Full Paper  ❯
image
3 Pages
Term Paper

Weather

Sociology and Hurricane Katrina the

Words: 1078
Length: 3 Pages
Type: Term Paper

Some never will be, due to the damage and loss sustained after the hurricane and floods. The society is New Orleans is still suffering because they have lost…

Read Full Paper  ❯