Final answer:
Emile Durkheim and Max Weber are recognized as the 'fathers' of Functionalism, focusing on societal institutions and groups. In contrast, Karl Marx laid the foundation for Conflict Theory, which highlights social inequalities and class struggles. Structural Functionalism views society as integrated and stable, whereas Conflict Theory sees it as contentious and dynamic.
Step-by-step explanation:
The founders of Structuralism and Functionalism in sociology are significant figures who contributed to the understanding of how societies operate. Emile Durkheim and Max Weber are frequently referred to as the 'fathers' of Functionalism. They focused on how societal institutions like economy and religion function to maintain social order. Durkheim emphasized the power of groups, while Weber considered not only groups but also institutions. On the other hand, the early canon of sociology, including Karl Marx, also laid the foundation for Conflict Theory, which contrasts sharply with Functionalism by focusing on the struggle between different social classes.
Functionalism sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability. Functions may be manifest (open, stated, and conscious) or latent (unconscious or unintended). Conflict Theory, influenced by Marx's ideas, views society as an arena of inequality that generates conflict and change, emphasizing a materialist view of society, critical of the status quo, and focused on the competition for scarce resources.
Key Contrasts Between Structuralism and Functionalism
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- Structuralism tends to focus on the structure of mental processes while Functionalism is more concerned with the functions and adaptive purposes of psychological characteristics.
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- Functionalism is deeply influenced by Darwin’s theory of evolution, primarily interested in how behaviors and mental processes help an organism adapt to its environment.
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- Contrarily, Structuralism is mainly about the breakdown of mental processes into their most basic components.
When comparing Structural Functionalism to Conflict Theory, one might argue that Structural Functionalism offers a more harmonious and stable view of society, while Conflict Theory suggests a constant state of disparity and competition for power and resources.