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?
Ans: 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.
KEY: Learning Objective: 18.1: Apply sociological perspectives to understand characteristics and paths of social change.
REF: Cognitive Domain: Analysis
Answer Location: The Functionalist Perspective
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