Final answer:
Functionalism considers behaviors that do not benefit society as dysfunctions, which can lead to social problems and necessitate social change. This perspective has been criticized for its limitations in explaining social change and the persistence of detrimental behaviors.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to functionalism, a pattern of behavior that does not benefit society is considered a dysfunction. This means that the pattern has the potential to disrupt social institutions or the organization of society. Functionalists, such as Herbert Spencer and Emile Durkheim, view society as a structure with interrelated parts designed to meet the biological and social needs of individuals. They suggest that when certain parts of society do not function properly, it can lead to social problems that necessitate social change. An example of a dysfunction could be the financial crisis resulting from risky lending practices, which impacted the health of the economy and the stability of society, as addressed by Robert Merton. However, functionalism has faced criticism for not adequately explaining social change and for suggesting that all repetitive behavior patterns inherently serve a function, without considering those that persist despite being detrimental to society.