Structural functionism is the theoretical position held within cultural anthropology that attempts to understand the relationship between the individual and society and in particular the conditions that place individuals in social roles (Barnard, 2000, p.61). It looks at the structural systems in place and the interaction between individuals due to these systems.
Table of Contents
- Key Concepts and Terminology
- Historical context of theory
- Key Theorists and their work
- Example of the ethnographic case study
- Critical analysis
Objectives and Key Themes
This encyclopaedia entry aims to provide a comprehensive overview of structural functionalism, a theoretical framework within cultural anthropology. It explores the key concepts, historical context, key theorists, and critical analysis of this approach to understanding the relationship between individuals and society.
- The role of social structures and institutions in maintaining social order and stability.
- The importance of functional unity and the interconnectedness of different parts of society.
- The influence of Emile Durkheim and his work on the social function of religion and ritual.
- The contributions of key theorists such as Alfred Radcliffe-Brown and Bronislaw Malinowski.
- Critical analysis of structural functionalism's limitations, including its focus on stability, neglect of conflict, and lack of attention to individual agency and historical change.
Chapter Summaries
- Key Concepts and Terminology: This section introduces the core concepts of structural functionalism, emphasizing the principles of universal function and functional unity. It explains how every aspect of a culture has a specific role and how these roles are interconnected, influencing one another.
- Historical Context of Theory: This section places structural functionalism within its historical context, highlighting its emergence as a reaction to evolutionary thought and diffusionism. It emphasizes the shift in focus from biological needs and adaptations to a more ahistorical analysis of culture.
- Key Theorists and their Work: This section focuses on the contributions of prominent structural functionalist thinkers like Alfred Radcliffe-Brown and Bronislaw Malinowski. It explores their key ideas, methodologies, and influential ethnographic works.
- Example of the Ethnographic Case Study: This section provides a concrete example of structural functionalist analysis through Radcliffe-Brown's article on joking relationships. It explores how ritualized joking serves a social function by relieving tension and contributing to social cohesion.
Keywords
The key concepts and themes explored in this entry include structural functionalism, cultural anthropology, social structure, functional unity, social cohesion, Emile Durkheim, Alfred Radcliffe-Brown, Bronislaw Malinowski, ethnographic fieldwork, participant observation, joking relationships, organic analogy, and critical analysis.
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- Lee Hooper (Autor), 2012, Structural Functionalism, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/262255
