Functionalism and Structural—Functionalism

Introduction

Functionalism and Structural Functionalism are two related but distinct concepts in anthropology. Functionalism is a broad theoretical perspective that emphasizes the functional interdependence of social and cultural practices, while structural functionalism is a specific version of functionalism that focuses on how social structures and institutions work together to maintain stability and order in society.

Premises of functionalism school

The functionalist perspective in anthropology has the following premises−

• Society is seen as a complex system of interdependent parts that work together to meet basic human needs and maintain stability and order.

• Social and cultural institutions and practices serve important functions for society and individuals within it.

• Cultural norms and values play a key role in promoting social order and ensuring the survival of society as a whole.

• Social change is seen as a gradual and organic process, rather than as a result of conflict or revolution.

• The focus is on understanding how different elements of society contribute to its overall functioning, rather than on analyzing individual motivations or behaviors.

Malinowski's Functionalism

Bronislaw Malinowski is considered the father of functionalism in anthropology. He developed a functionalist perspective that emphasized the functional interdependence of social institutions and practices within society. According to Malinowski, cultural norms and values play a crucial role in meeting the basic needs of individuals and ensuring the stability and survival of society as a whole. He believed that social and cultural practices should be analyzed in terms of their contribution to the overall functioning of society, rather than solely in terms of their origin or meaning.

Malinowski is particularly known for his fieldwork in the Trobriand Islands, where he studied the functional significance of the islanders' customs and rituals. He argued that customs and rituals served important social and psychological functions, such as strengthening social bonds and providing a sense of security and meaning.

Radcliffe-Brown’s structural-functional

A.R. Radcliffe-Brown was a British anthropologist who is best known for his contribution to the development of structural functionalism in anthropology. He developed this approach as an alternative to the functionalism of Bronislaw Malinowski and focused on the relationships between social structures and cultural practices.

Radcliffe-Brown's structural functionalism is based on the idea that social structures, such as families, political systems, and religious institutions, exist in a state of equilibrium and work together to maintain stability and order in society. He argued that social structures are composed of relationships between people and that these relationships are governed by cultural norms and values. The functioning of society, therefore, depends on the maintenance of these relationships and the norms and values that regulate them.

Radcliffe-Brown emphasized the importance of understanding the underlying structure of society and the relationships between social structures and cultural practices. He argued that the study of social and cultural phenomena should focus on the underlying structure and organization of society, rather than on the behavior of individuals.

Radcliffe-Brown’s Structural-Functional Law

According to Radcliffe-Brown, existence is dependent upon the rule of law. Generalizations concerning any subject area, in the opinion of Radcliffe-Brown, fall into one of two categories −

• Generalizations of commonly held beliefs

• Generalizations that have been proven by a systematic analysis of data provided through methodically collected accurate observations. This specific generalization is also referred to as a scientific law.

Criticism of Radcliffe-Brown's Structural Functionalism

Radcliffe-Brown's structural functionalism has been subject to criticism from various quarters in anthropology. Some of the main criticisms are −

• Determinism − Radcliffe-Brown's approach is seen as deterministic, as it portrays society as a static and unchanging entity, governed by underlying laws and principles. This perspective ignores the agency of individuals and the possibility of social change.

• Reductionism − Some argue that structural functionalism reduces social and cultural practices to a single function or purpose, and neglects the multiple and sometimes conflicting meanings and motivations behind them.

• Emphasis on social stability − Radcliffe-Brown's focus on social stability as the ultimate goal of cultural practices and norms is seen as problematic by some critics, who argue that social stability is not always desirable and that cultural practices can also serve to challenge existing power relations and bring about change.

• Ignores power and inequality − Structural functionalism is criticized for ignoring the role of power and inequality in shaping social structures and cultural practices.

• Lack of historical context − Radcliffe-Brown's approach is seen as ahistorical, as it neglects the historical context in which cultural practices and norms emerge and evolve.

Conclusion

While structural functionalism is a particular branch of functionalism that focuses on how social structures and institutions cooperate to maintain stability and order in society, functionalism is a broad theoretical perspective that emphasizes the functional interdependence of social and cultural practices. Malinowski contends that cultural norms and values are essential for both guaranteeing that each person's fundamental needs are met and that society as a whole may remain stable and survive. In contrast, Radcliffe-structural Brown's functionalism is predicated on the notion that social structures like families, governmental systems, and religious institutions exist in a state of balance and collaborate to uphold stability and order in society.

FAQs

Q1. What is the organic analogy?

Ans. The organic analogy is a concept in functionalism that compares society to an organism, with each part having a specific function that contributes to the overall functioning of the organism. It emphasizes the interdependence of social structures and cultural practices and the importance of understanding their relationship to understand the stability and functioning of society as a whole.

Q2. What is structural functionalism's approach to social issues?

Ans. According to structural functionalism, social institutions are essential for preserving social stability, and the impacts of widespread social change will harm society.

Q3. What is Structuralism?

Ans. Structuralism is an anthropological theory that focuses on the analysis of cultural systems and structures, rather than individual experiences or actions. It argues that cultural practices, beliefs, and symbols can be understood as a set of interconnected elements that form a structured whole and that this structure determines how individuals interact with the world.