Functionalism

Functionalism

Auguste Comte and Herbert Spencer are the founders of this theory. The idea of functionalism, is that society works together as one whole unit, but has inter-related parts. Functionalism was highly recognized by sociologists in the 1940s and the 1950s. This theory describes how society meets their needs for individuals and the social needs. (About.com, 2015)
Comte and Spencer looked at functionalism as if it were a living organism. Without one part of the organism, the whole system would collapse. If everyone does their part well then there will be stability in our society. (About.com, 2015) The different tasks that people do are often called divisions of labor. There are different parts but all are related. When one part of the society does not do their parts, it doesn't just impact them, but it impacts the whole society. If one falls, they all start to fall. (Boundless, 2015)
For an example, the state provides education for children, and then in return the children's family pays taxes that the state needs to function. The children also are expected to go to school and eventually get a good job so that they can also support their family. In the end, the children grow up to be tax-paying adults who support the government. (About.com, 2015)

 (PSYCHNOV, 2015)

"Everything You Need to Know About Functionalist Theory." About.com Education. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.
http://sociology.about.com/od/Sociological-Theory/a/Functionalist-Theory.htm

"The Functionalist Perspective - Boundless Open Textbook." Boundless. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.
https://www.boundless.com/sociology/textbooks/boundless-sociology-textbook/sociology-1/theoretical-perspectives-in-sociology-24/the-functionalist-perspective-155-3284/

"PSYCHNOV." PSYCHNOV. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2015. 

http://jmccrackenworld.com/SOCNOV.html