Getting To Know Structural Functional Theory: Fractional Is Important In Sociology Science

YOGYAKARTA - Structural functional theory is one of the important approaches in sociology that explains how every element of society is interconnected and plays a role in maintaining balance and social regularity.

Through this theory, sociologists seek to understand the function of each social institution in creating harmony in the midst of the complexity of life. This approach highlights the importance of the contribution of each part of society in order to create social stability.

Reporting from the Simply Psychology page, the structural functional theory views society as a system consisting of interconnected parts and working together in order to maintain balance and social regularity.

Please note, every element, such as family, education, religion, economy, and media, has an important function to support the sustainability of the social system as a whole.

This theory emphasizes that people do not run randomly, but are regulated by structures consisting of norms and social values inherited through social institutions.

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The roots of this theory originated from the thought of wayel Durkheim, a French sociologist who wrote in the late 19th century. He emphasized the importance of social structure and moral solidarity in preventing social chaos or anomie.

Durkheim sees that when people become more complex and individualistic, social institutions such as education and religion play an important role in maintaining regularity.

Durkheim's thoughts were later developed by Talcott Parsons, an American sociologist who created a large theory of social systems. Parsons likens a society like the human body, where every social institution functions like an organ that relies on each other to maintain a balance of life together.

Structural functional theory emphasizes the existence of social structures that stand above individuals. This structure consists of norms and values that shape human behavior.

Well, according to Parsons, in order for the community to remain stable, there must be a consensus on value or mutual agreement on what is considered important and correct. He also introduced four basic needs of the social system (AGIL), including:

Each shows that people must be able to adapt, set common goals, create social integration, and maintain a value pattern so that the system continues to run in balance.

In everyday life, this theory can be seen in the way social institutions carry out their functions. First, there are families who become the main agents of socialization that instill values and norms in children.

Then education plays a role in continuing the socialization process and preparing individuals to become productive members of society.

Third, religion creates moral regularity and a sense of togetherness, while the law enforces rules so that people live in an orderly manner.

Even deviant behavior such as crime is considered to have a social function, because it helps the community emphasize the boundaries between right and wrong.

Despite its great influence, this theory does not escape criticism. Marxis and conflict theory think that functionalism emphasizes too much harmony and ignores social inequality and conflicts of interest.

For example, Michal Mann argues that social stability does not always come from consensus, but could be due to dominance or inability of the lower group against existing systems.

In addition, functionalism is considered too deterministic, as if human behavior is completely determined by social structure.

However, modern sociologists continue to adapt to the basic ideas of this theory by emphasizing the importance of a balance between social stability and the dynamics of change in society.

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