Final answer:
The functional perspective explains cultural practices by observing how they contribute to the social health and functions of the wider society, reflecting its values and fulfilling its needs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The functional perspective explains cultural practices by looking at the roles various parts of society play in its overall function and health. This macroanalytical view sees society as a complex system where all parts are necessary for the whole. Functionalists argue that cultural practices work together to fulfill society's needs; norms support societal functions, values guide choices, and both are reflected in society's values. For instance, they might explore how educational values and associated material culture, such as classrooms and textbooks, work to support society's emphasis on education. This perspective can also explain phenomena like global inequality by ascribing social purposes to it, suggesting that some nations thrive in a globalized economy because they adapt to new technologies and create opportunities for peripheral nations through business expansion.