Functionalist Theory: Critical Analysis

A very basic and inadequate description of Functionalist Theory is that it is a social/anthropological theory that people within a society generally agree on what is worthwhile/good, and that this agreement or value forms the basis of cooperation, stability and order within that society. These values are stratified or ranked in society and allow the evaluation and ranking of individuals within society: people who are successful in terms of those values receive a high ranking and be rewarded; people who are less successful in terms of those values receive a low ranking and are not rewarded. (Sociology Guide.com, 2011).

Comparison of Three Theorists in the Functionalist Category: John Dewey, Talcott Parsons and Robert K. Merton

John Dewey (1859 -- 1952) was a philosopher and psychologist who was also one of the founders of the Functionalist Theory within his field of Psychology. Intent on advocating democracy, Dewey...
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