Final answer:
The question inquires about a key contemporary proponent of the functionalist perspective in sociology. Functionalism examines the social needs societies must meet to survive, with Herbert Spencer and Robert K. Merton being pivotal figures in its development. The Davis-Moore thesis further applies functionalist theory to social stratification.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is asking about the most influential contemporary advocate of the functionalist perspective in sociology who also highlighted that societies must meet social needs to survive. Functionalism, or structural-functional theory, sees society as a system with interrelated parts designed to meet the biological and social needs of individuals in that society. Initially, this perspective was extensively developed by Herbert Spencer who likened society to the human body, with various institutions functioning like organs to keep society healthy.
One notable advocate of functionalism was Robert K. Merton, who introduced the concept of dysfunctions, which are social processes that have undesirable consequences for the operation of society. Meanwhile, the Davis-Moore thesis, formulated by Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore in 1945, is a concept derived from functionalist thought that suggests social stratification has beneficial consequences for the operation of a society. These concepts highlight the importance of societal structures and their interplay in maintaining the stability and functionality of a society as a whole.