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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Psychological identification with a group is not an important part of what makes ethnicity real to people
Indicate whether this statement is true or false.
__________ Common cultur¬al characteristics people share, such as the same language, place of origin, dress, food, and values
What will be an ideal response?
Which of the following theoretical traditions did DuBois draw on to explain how racism was embedded into the fabric of social relations because it benefited capitalist elites?
a. Pragmatism b. Positivism c. Marxism d. Social Darwinism
Adolf Hitler is an example of an individual who
a. was very powerful but who made little difference in society. b. was a revolutionary figure who worked for change outside of the government. c. was able to make a difference in society without the support of any group, organization, or even society. d. made a difference in society partly because the social circumstances favored it.