Perhaps Merton greatest contribution to functionalism and sociology is that he showed that system components may or may not be “in sync.” Using this statement, develop a response that takes a side. Do you agree or disagree with Merton? Why or why not. Provide examples to support your response.
What will be an ideal response?
For instance, the “business lunch” often has this same latent function of reinforcing social bonds and asserting or celebrating group identity despite or alongside its more obvious
(manifest) goals. And just as a rain dance may or may not immediately produce rain, so, too, a business lunch may not achieve immediate (manifest) results (e.g., a deal) but nevertheless may fulfill its critical latent function. Merton emphasized that different parts of a system
might be at odds with each other and, thus, that even functional or beneficial institutions or subsystems can produce dysfunctions or unintended consequences as well. Student may include or introduce the concept of deviance or unintended consequence of dysfunction.
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The paradox of sociology—the power of society over its members versus the power of social actors to change society—has the following implication(s):
a. Society is not a static entity; it is created, sustained, and changed by people. b. The social forms that people create often take on a sacred quality that constrains behavior in socially prescribed ways. c. Since social structures are created and sustained by people, they are imperfect. d. All of the above
Instrumentalism is most often learned _____________________________________
a. in college b. working in jobs that are complex c. in vocational high schools d. by way of intuition e. a or b
Inflexible images of a racial or cultural group that are held without regard to whether or not they are true are termed:
a. cartoons b. cognitions c. ethnic images d. stereotypes
What effect does the hierarchal structure of cliques have on friendships?
What will be an ideal response?