Functionalism Essay

Sociologists view functionalism as both a macro and a micro perspective. From a macro perspective, functionalism promotes the ideal that everyone and everything has a particular place within society, which in turn influences the structure of society. A macro example of Functionalism is seen by sociologists through the interactions of a national school system. Primary school prepares children for the possibility of a higher education that will prepare them for a job, instilling the order and ideals of society within youths so that they understand its expectations. Afterward, they head off to secondary school to apply what they have learned and choose a profession that will best benefit them and society. This promotes the large-scale organization

Functionalism is also be a micro perspective because it can be found in the operation of small groups, such as businesses. A micro example of functionalism can be seen in a corporation that focuses on global trade. The CEO is head of a company and its board of advisors, who listen to the informative directions the CEO gives them in order to properly run their separate branches responsible for different departments of the company, such as advertising, shipment tracking, management of global relations, and on call “sales people” to promote their business. In this micro perspective, these smaller parts of a company or businesses, if looking at it from an economic perspective, are just as essential to the operation of the economy as the corporations which “control” them all. Though Functionalism can be identified as being a predominantly macro perspective, it can also be seen in the “micro focus” of smaller groups, combining to create a larger whole that influences all in society. Of the three social perspectives discussed, Conflict Theory can be seen as being most closely related to Functionalism in the importance of the macro

Throughout Functionalism and its perspective of the world operating as a giant system, coercion is used to force people into providing for certain social functions that are needed for society to operate smoothly. This then incites fear of confinement within people who feel they have been forced into their positions, such as in the case with the police force and the issue of police brutality, specifically, when directed at certain race groups, like African Americans and other minorities. Police are meant to promote safety and order within society so that all other institutions of society feel they are able to work smoothly and without interruption. The purpose of the police force has now been observed from a new point of view that takes into account the greater effect of their function in society, as it is now seen as creating psychological bias and social stereotypes. Societies overall perspective is changed as to the purpose of their “function,” and contribution to society, whether it is realized or not. This shows how opinions and mindsets shape the fundamental purposes and impact of a Functionalist society, and like Functionalism, Conflict Theory recognizes the role social institutions