Chapter 7 Learning Objectives

• identify and discuss the major authors associated with structural functionalism;
• explain the functional theory of stratification and its criticisms;
• discuss and relate the dimensions of Talcott Parsons's structural functionalism, including his functional imperatives, his action system, his action schema, and his discussion of the social system and society;
• explain the role of culture in Parsons's structural functionalism;
• discuss the weaknesses of Parsons's structural functionalism;
• discuss how Robert Merton expanded and corrected structural functionalism;
• discuss the ways in which Merton attempted to overcome the problems of functionalism, including the concepts of manifest and latent functions and unanticipated consequences;
• explain Merton's theory regarding social structure and anomie;
• identify the major criticisms of structural functionalism;
• discuss Jeffrey Alexander's addition of neofunctionalism, as well as its critique;
• discuss Ralf Dahrendorf's conflict theory and identify and explain the groups inherent in his perspective and their role in conflict.
• discuss the importance of authority;
• identify the major criticisms of conflict theory;
• elaborate on the critique of theories of stratification offered by Randall Collins's conflict sociology;
• identify the major differences between conflict theory and conflict sociology; and
• discuss Collins's theory of stratification and its underpinnings.