FUNCTIONAL PERSPECTIVE

MAIN IDEAS

• Basis of theory
• Dysfunctional objects
• Manifest function
• Latent function

BASIS OF FUNCTIONALIST PERSPECTIVE

• The idea that society is made up of interrelated parts
• All of these parts work together in order to improve and better society
• Ex: democracy, people vote in order to agree on officials that will improve government

DYSFUNCTIONAL OBJECTS

• Dysfunctional items are parts of society with negative consequences
• These objects disrupt society instead of improving it
• Ex: Crime is a dysfunctional part of society because it encourages violence

MANIFEST FUNCTION

• Manifest function is the intended result of a certain element of society
• Ex: Ex: Cell Phones were developed to increase efficiency within means of communication

LATENT FUNCTION

• Latent function is the intended result of a certain object in society
• Ex: the latent function of cell phones was the fact that they're used to show off wealth and social standing