Explain functionalist and evolutionary theories of social change. Describe the main arguments and provide a critique of the strengths and weaknesses.

What will be an ideal response?


Assume that as societies develop, they become more complex and interdependent. Differentiation: development of increasing societal complexity through the creation of specialized social roles and institutions. Evolutionary theories: assumed that all societies began as "simple" or "primitive" and eventually developed into more "complicated" and "civilized" forms along a single, unidirectional evolutionary path.

Sociology

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