STRUCTURAL- FUNCTIONALISM

This module will help you in explaining to the students the meaning of Structural Functionalism.
This term is a sociological theory that stresses the interdependence of the patterns and institutions of
a society and their interaction in maintaining cultural and social unity. It sees society as a structure
with interrelated parts designed to meet the biological and social needs of the individuals in that
society. It attempts to explain why society functions the way it does by focusing on the relationships
between various social institutions that make up society.
Please help the learners in sharing their ideas and knowledge from their experiences so that
there will be shared learnings and acquisition of concepts and skills will be easy.
For the learner: Each and every individual plays an important role in the development of
society. Our learners should realize that being part of the social institutions that make up our society.
They should be able to figure out for themselves in their own unique way to contribute to society.

LEARNINGCOMPETENCY
Analyze the basic concepts & principles of Structural Functionalism.
 Define what is Structural Functionalism
 Understand Structural Functionalism as one of the significant sociological theories.
 Evaluate social groups relate to one another

MULTIPLE CHOICE.
Encircle the letter that corresponds to the correct answer.

1. What is the framework for building theory that sees society as a complex system whose parts work together
to promote solidarity and stability?
a. Structural Design b. Structural Functionalism c. Structural Design
2. What is the patterned of social arrangements of institutions where human beings in a society interact and
live together?
a. Social Function b. Social Organization c. Social Structure
3. What is the social structure of the society that helps individuals to learn necessary concepts and skills to
function in everyday society?
a. Church b. Government c. School
4. What is the social structure of the society that brings individual to spiritual maturity?
a. Church b. Media c. School
5. What is the social structure of the society that acts as a watchdog to protect public interest?
a. Church b. Media c. School
6. What is the smallest unit of the society, whose function is to perpetuate society?
a. Church b. Family c. School
7. Which of the following institutions whose function is to maintain social peace?
a. Church b. Government c. School
8. What do you call the function that are recognized and intended consequences of any social pattern?
a. Apparent Functions b. Latent Functions c. Manifest Functions
9. What are the functions that are unrecognized and unintended consequences which can be beneficial
and harmful or can have a negative effect on society?
a. Apparent Functions b. Latent Functions c. Manifest Functions
10. Which of the following is the best manifest function of Media?
a. Inform and entertain society c. Update the people about stock market.
b. Provide information about movie personalities
11. Which of the following is not a manifest function of school?
a. Schools teach general skills such as reading, writing and arithmetic
b. Schools transmit values, beliefs and attitudes
c. Schools assists students to meet their lifetime partner
12. Which are the manifest functions of society where it has intended and desirable results?
a. Social Dysfunctions b. Social Functions c. Social Purposes
13. What do you call abnormal and impaired functioning especially of a bodily system or social group?
a. Social Dysfunctions b. Social Functions c. Social Purposes
14. Which is not a social structure from the following given below?
a. Economy b. Government c. Entrepreneur
15. Which is the best description of what a social structure is?
a. Social structure is relating to something built or organized
b. Social structure works according to their functions.
c. Social structure enables society to achieve solidarity and stabilit

1 Disciplines and Ideas in the Social Sciences

Modified Strategic Intervention Material

This chapter will help you understand the

relationships and interrelation of the various social
institutions. It will explain why society functions the way it
does and how it should by focusing on the most
important functions of the following social institutions such
as family, school, church, government and media. These
institutions have manifest and latent functions which will
be explained as we go through the short discussion and
activities on this module.

IDEA MAP. Think of a word

that you think is related or
associated with ‘Structural
Functionalism’. Put the words
inside boxes surrounding the
bigger box.

Structural Functionalism, or simply Functionalism, is a vehicle for building theory that sees
society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote cohesion and solidity.
Functionalism was developed gradually with the help of many sociologists in different parts of the
world. However, it was Emile Durkheim who created and has the most significant contribution to the
development of this theory. The core concern of Durkheim was the question of how certain societies
maintain internal stability and survive over time. Society is made up of cluster of moving parts that
move together as one. It means every person in the society has a specific job and role and they
need to do that for everything to work. In the society, structural functionalism believes that there is a
state of physical balance. Every part should do their share in order for society to function. It does not
focused on the individuals (individuals do not have control). The society constitutes institutions which
are considered structures that meet the needs of society. Some examples of institutions are school,
government, media, post office, military, hospital, church, family, corporations and etc. All of these
served various tasks in the society and are all essential to have working in full capability, if we want to
have a successful and productive society.
Sociologists have identified two types of functions. There is what they call the manifest and

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latent functions. Manifest functions are the intended purpose of an institution. It is the ultimate goal
for it. Example, the school, the manifest function is to teach student to prepare them for the physical
world, to guarantee that they understand the social norms of the society and they can maneuver
their lives when they are adult or prepare them when they further studies when they get a job or
trade school so they can get a specialized job. Whatever it may be, it is to make them ready for the
future, to be productive members of the society. The latent functions are the unintended
consequences that happened from a function. They can be good or bad. Example, we know school
function is to teach and develop skills, however in school you develop a friend groups but these
groups love to hang out, doing on line games, and you slowly slip a bit. And you start doing social
activities, instead of preparing for your exam the next day. You slowly and surely fail out of school is a
negative consequence to the educational system. Those can be seen as negative and also positive
unintended consequences. Another type of social function is "social dysfunction" which is any
undesirable consequences that disrupts the operation of society.[1] The social dysfunction of
education includes not getting good grades, a job. Therefore, Social Functionalism affirms that our
lives are directed to a common goal by social structures, which are somewhat established pattern of
social behavior.

Structural Functionalism focuses on having a kind of order. Everyone is operating on a

certain task. All the different organizations and institution in society are co-dependent.
Below are the manifest functions of the important institutions in our society:
▪ Family – the function is to perpetuate society.
▪ School – helps individuals to learn the necessary concept and skills to function in everyday society.
▪ Church – it brings individuals to spiritual maturity
▪ Government – maintaining social peace is the fundamental purpose.
▪ Media – acts as a watchdog to protect public interest.
▪ Military – conduct law enforcement functions
Processed Questions:
1. How does structural functionalism views society?
2. What are manifest and latent functions?
3. What keeps societies together?

Picture Projection
Give an idea about
the pictures below.

Kindly analyze the statements. Write True if you think the statement
is correct and False if the statement is incorrect.
3 Disciplines and Ideas in the Social Sciences
Modified Strategic Intervention Material

_________ 1. Structural functional theory uses a micro-level orientation.

_________ 2. Providing concept and knowledge to the students is a latent function.
_________ 3. Manifest functions are those put in place intentionally to keep society
moving forward.
_________ 4. Latent functions are those unrecognized and unintended
consequences.
_________ 5. Structural functionalism views society as a clock, if you try to take out
one of the parts of the clock, it will not definitely start.

Discuss the manifest and latent functions of the following social

structures

1. Politics –
2. Sports –
3. Law –
PROCESSING QUESTION
Why are social structures and social functions important in Structural Functionalism?

Make a slogan about the different social institutions that plays an

important role in the solidarity and stability of our country. Give at least
3.

Agree or Disagree to this statement. Explain briefly your answer.

“Structural functional theory sees society as a complex and
interconnected machine”.

Rubrics for Scoring Content- 10 % Organization – 5% Mechanics – 5%

Match Colum A with Column B. Draw a line to match the meaning

that best represents the concepts.

Column A Column B
▪ Social Institutions ▪ these are unintended and unrecognized and have
negative effect on society.
▪ Manifest Functions ▪ these are the unintended results that happened
from a function.
▪ Social Dysfunctions ▪ Functions that are recognized and intended
consequences of any social pattern.
▪ Latent Functions ▪ It is a sociological theory that attempts to explain
why society functions the way it does.
▪ Structural Functionalism ▪ They are the establishments in a society that makes
the society function.
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How do you understand this quotation “The family is the building block
for whatever solidarity there is in society” by: William Ruckelshaus

Rubrics for Scoring Interpretation – 10% Organization – 5% Mechanics – 5%

4
 GENERALIZATION: Give your personal point of view
of Structural Functionalism and the relationships
of social institutions in the society.

Rubrics Content -10% Organization-10% Mechanics

for – 10%
Scoring

Fill in the blanks with

the correct answer.

1. What is the smallest unit of the society, whose function is to perpetuate society?
a. Church b. Family c. School
2. Which of the following institutions whose function is to maintain social peace?
a. Church b. Government c. School
3. Which is not a social structure from the following given below?
a. Economy b. Government c. Bartender
4. Which is the best description of what a social structure is?
a. Social structure is relating to something built or organized
b. Social structure works according to their functions.
c. Social structure enables society to achieve solidarity and stability
5. What is the function that are recognized and intended consequences of any social pattern?
a. Apparent Functions b. Latent Functions c. Manifest Functions
6. What are the functions that are unrecognized and unintended consequences which can be
beneficial and harmful or can have a negative effect on society?
a. Apparent Functions b. Latent Functions c. Manifest Functions
7. Which of the following is the best manifest function of Media?
a. Inform and entertain society c. Update the people about stock market.
b. Provide information about movie personalities
8. Which of the following is not a manifest function of school?
a. Schools teach general skills such as reading, writing and arithmetic
b. Schools transmit values, beliefs and attitudes
c. Schools assists students to meet their lifetime partner
9. Which are the manifest functions of society where it has intended and desirable results?
a. Social Dysfunctions b. Social Functions c.Social Purposes
10. What is the framework for building theory that sees society as a complex system whose parts
work together to promote solidarity and stability?
a. Structural Design b. Structural Functionalism c. Structural Design
11. What is the patterned of social arrangements of institutions where human beings in a society
interact and live together?
a. Social Function b. Social Organization c. Social Structure
12. What is the social structure of the society that helps individuals to learn necessary concepts
and skills to function in everyday society?
a. Church b. Government c. School
13. What is the social structure of the society that brings individual to spiritual maturity?
a. Church b. Media c. School
14. What is the social structure of the society that acts as a watchdog to protect public interest?

5 Disciplines and Ideas in the Social Sciences

Modified Strategic Intervention Material
a. Church b. Media c. School
15. What is the abnormal and impaired functioning, especially of a bodily system or social group?
a. Social Dysfunctions b. Social Functions c. Social Purposes