Robert k merton

Sociological Theories

1. ROBERT K MERTON Asad Majeed Baloch

2. 0utline Biography Criticism on basic functionalist postulates Functions ,dysfunctions Level of functional analysis Social structure and anomie Strain Theory Substantive criticism Methodological criticism Logical criticism

3. Biography 1910-2003, Philadelphia Went to temple university Started academia as a career in Harvard University Later Merton went to Tulane university Most of his career spend teaching as a professor at Columbia University Merton was also a 47 th president of American sociological association

4. Continue Merton inspired by Talcott parsons He also wrote on Durkheim, Comte, Marx any many others. As Merton was a structural functionalist Durkheim was his greatest influence.

5. Three basic postulates Unity of society Universalism functionalism Indispensability

6. Postulate of unity of society All standardized social and cultural beliefs are functional for society as a whole as well as for individuals. Merton’s view was that it may be true for small and primitive society but cannot be generalized in complex society.

7. Postulate of Universal Functionalism All standardized social and cultural forms and structure have positive functions. Merton argued that it contradicts what we find in real world, not every structure has positive function.

8. Postulate of indispensability This leads to the idea that all structure and functions are functionally necessary for society, no other function can work. Merton criticized that we must at least be willing to admit that there are various functional alternative within the society

9. Function and Dysfunction Functions are those observed consequences which make for adaptation and adjustment of a given system. It is important to note that one social fact can have a negative consequences for an other social fact, defined as Dysfunction.

10. Net Balance Merton developed the idea of net balance. However it is not that much simple to just add up positive and dysfunction. To cope this problem Merton developed the idea of the levels of functional analysis.

11. Levels of functional analysis Manifest functions (intended) . Latent functions (unintended).

12. Social structure and Anomie Merton analysis the relationship between culture, social structure and anomie.

13. Culture Organizes set of normative values governing behavior which is common to members of a designated society or group .

14. Social structure Organizes set of social relationships in which members of the society or group are variously implicated

15. Anomie Anomie defined as , when there is an acute disjunction between the cultural norms and goals and the socially structured capacities of members of the group to act in accord with them

16. Strain Theory Merton  developed the concept of 'anomie' to describe this imbalance between cultural goals and institutionalized means. He argued that such an imbalanced society produces anomie – there is a  strain  or tension between the goals and means which produce unsatisfied aspirations.

17. Criticism Substantive criticism. Methodological criticism. Logical criticism

18. Substantive criticism It is ahistorical approach, evolutionary process. Unable to deal effectively with the process of social change. Unable to deal effectively with conflict, over emphasized harmonious relationship.

19. Methodological criticism Structure functionalists choose to deal with abstract social systems instead of real societies. Structural functionalist are criticized for what tool can be used the contribution of a one part of a system as a whole. Structural functionalism makes comparative analysis difficult.

20. Logical criticism Teleology and tautology Illegitimate teleology Example of family institution Instead of empirical linkages there are blind assertions

21. Any Questions Thank You!