Final answer:
Functionalism views society as a system with interrelated parts that work together to meet societal needs, much like organs in a body, an approach theoretically grounded in evolutionary principles and pioneered by Herbert Spencer. It contrasts with structuralism, which focuses on the mental structures of humans and society without necessarily considering their functional purposes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The basic approach of functionalism is to see society as a structure with interrelated parts designed to meet the biological and social needs of individuals within that society. This approach, pioneered by Herbert Spencer, draws an analogy between society and a living organism, where different parts of society or social institutions, such as government, education, and family, are akin to the organs of a body, working together to maintain the health and functionality of the whole. In contrast, structuralism focuses more on understanding the underlying structures of the human mind and society, rather than on the functions of its parts.
The theory of evolution was influential to functionalism because it provided a scientific grounding for understanding the adaptation of social practices to their environment. Proponents like William James, John Dewey, and Charles Sanders Peirce applied Darwin's theory to explain how behavior and mental processes play a role in helping an organism adapt to its environment, which is central to functionalist thought.
Functionalism differs from structuralism in that it emphasizes the importance of each part of society in terms of the function it serves for the survival and stability of the whole, rather than just the mental constructs or structures as structuralism does. Herbert Spencer is considered the pioneer of the functionalist approach, with later contributions by sociologists like Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore further developing the concept.