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What are "functionalism", "structural archaeology", and critical archaeology?

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Functionalism views society as a system of interrelated parts working to fulfill societal needs, maintaining stability and functionality. Structural archaeology, though not a sociological term, pertains to the study of past societies' physical constructs. Critical archaeology is a reflective approach that questions traditional interpretations and studies historical contexts concerning power and inequality.

Step-by-step explanation:

Functionalism, Structural Archaeology and Critical Archaeology:

The concept of functionalism, or structural-functional theory, is a sociological perspective that regards society as a complex system with interrelated parts designed to meet the biological and social needs of individuals. Originating from Herbert Spencer's comparison of society to a human body it assumes that various social structures and institutions work collaboratively to maintain societal stability and functionality.

Structural archaeology is not a term used in sociological theory but may refer to a branch of archaeology that studies the ways in which human beings have constructed their physical world and the structural elements of past societies. Critical archaeology, meanwhile adopts a reflective approach that questions traditional interpretations and seeks to understand past societies within their historical contexts, often considering issues of power, inequality and ideology. While functionalism maintains a focus on the stability and integration within society, recognizing that various cultural elements can both reinforce and conflict with each other, critical archaeology challenges the existing narratives and emphasizes a more dynamic understanding of past human behaviors and societies.

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