Final answer:
The structural-functional approach, or functionalism, focuses on the consequences of social patterns for society's operation, emphasizing the roles different societal components play in maintaining the system's stability.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase that best describes the focus of the structural-functional approach is 'The consequences of social patterns for the operation of society'. This approach, also known as functionalism, is a sociological perspective that sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability. It primarily looks at society on a macro level, identifying the functions that different aspects or structures of society perform to maintain the social system as a whole. For example, functionalists may look at the role of global inequality and how it contributes to the functioning of international relations and economies.
A functionalist would likely address social issues such as the way immigration and emigration trends strengthen global relationships. While they recognize the existence of social inequalities, they focus on how these patterns serve a purpose in the larger context of society. However, functionalism is often criticized for being unable or insufficient in explaining social change and for implying that all repetitive behavior patterns have a function, even when some may not contribute positively to society.