What is the main difference between social functionalism and social conflict theory?

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Updated: Nov 21st, 2021

The theory of structural functionalism define social institutions to be a collective whole necessary to fulfill the various needs of individuals and centers on the means by which these institutions meet their social needs. Structural functionalism says that for societies to survive they have to be stable and cohesive and this comes from solidarity. However, the conflict theory believes that a society runs on competition rather than solidarity and social harmony. It views society to be full of inequalities, which creates change and conflicts among all.

Structural functionalism emphasizes more on social order instead of social change unlike the conflict theory, which believes that fundamental changes and conflicts are unavoidable in a society. Structural functionalism believed that an individual is simply an occupant of his social role and are thus, not significant as only themselves but just because of their social roles and status. Thus, while structural functionalism believes that social inequality and oppression may be necessary for the stability, integration and functioning of a society, the conflict theory holds exploitation by dominant groups to be the main reason for social problems.

Although both these theories have dissimilar value orientations, they have the same perception about inequality, which is that the dominant groups profit from discrimination. Structural functionalism says that discrimination fits perfectly in a society since it yields positive results but the conflict theory says that social changes are inevitable and will take place continuously and rapidly since the various social groups are striving to take, each other’s place in our societal hierarchy. (Fararo, 2001)

Structural functionalism says that when a society becomes complex differentiation takes place and integration takes place among the new institutions. Thus, even though changes occur structures inside a society emerge to compensate for the change. These new integrated structures guarantee the smooth running of our society and thus, it argues that the members are responsible for its stability and order. However, the conflict theory says that the probability of change is embedded in the basic structures and relations among the classes of our society. Therefore, when we reach a point where further growth of society is not possible, crisis takes place, which transforms the society. Consequently, change is a continuous process until it reaches crisis point where transformation takes place. (Brinkerhoff, 1999)

Structural functionalism intently focuses on equilibrium of a society and says that it consists of mutually dependent parts working together to maintain that equilibrium. It also tries to describe our social institutions mainly by its effects and thus, is unable to explain the reasons for the effects. The conflict theory was actually developed for demonstrating the shortcomings of structural functionalism.

While structural functionalism believes that society is inclined towards stability and equilibrium at the cost of social change, the conflict theory reasons that there is a constant conflict in a society over resources and thus, it is able to explain social change unlike structural functionalism. Again, the perspective of the conflict theory overlooks societal equilibrium. Although societies are constantly changing, the changes are often very small and thus, the basic elements of a society remain quite stable. This proves the significance of structural functionalism. Therefore, this is how both these theories fall short of being complete explanations. However, since sociological theories are complementary, we cannot say which one is better and only when they are combined, do we get a better understanding of society. (Hook, 2006)

References

Brinkerhoff, D. B. (1999). Essentials of sociology. Ed: 4. New York: Wadsworth.

Fararo, T. J. (2001). Social action systems: foundation and synthesis in sociological theory. London: Greenwood Publishing Group.

Hook, D. (2006). Pre-discursive racism. Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology. 16(3), 207-232.

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Functionalism and conflict theory are two theories that influence the purposes of schooling. These two theories are both different and similar in their view and relation to schooling. Basically, the differences lie in the way these two theories explain transmission, as well as way functionalists are more accepting and conflict theorists want to change things. The two theories are similar in their views of structure and culture.

"Functionalism...argues that society operates as does the human body: Like living organisms, all societies possess basic functions which they must carry out to survive. Like living organisms, they evolve structures to carry out the functions" (Bennett deMarais and LeCompte, p. 5). Functionalism is a theory that certainly concentrates more on the social aspects and cultural aspects more than any other areas within the schooling systems. Based upon these two aspects, functionalists will try to recognize the social system. From there, functionalists explain how the school systems operate, while at the same time keeping order and equilibrium preserved.

Functionalists focus on intellectual, political, economical, and social purposes as what they perceive as the purposes of schooling. The intellectual purposes of schooling according to functionalists are learning and applying cognitive, substantive, and inquiry skills throughout their childhoods and on into their adulthoods. The functionalist view also states that the political purposes of schooling include educating children to become adults in this world that participate in politics, promote sharing history, encourage immigration, and are people who make sure order and obeying laws come into play. Economically, functionalists feel that schooling prepares children for their careers in life and also to choose and instruct the labor force. Lastly, functionalists believe that the social purposes of schools are to encourage social and moral responsibility, become places for people to solve social problems, and to become another place...

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