structural functionalism vs conflict theory

There are various theories that are used in analyzing various aspects of mass media.

When functionalists are faced with different elements of society, they are at times tempted to pose the question what role do all these societal aspects play? A question of this nature is not misplaced seeing that societal social structures enhance stability, integration, balance, and consensus.

Interaction between media and society has a great influence on the behaviors of individuals in it, and the educational practices they are affiliated to. The media surveys the environment and provides news and information to the society, correlates the response to this information, entertains and transmits culture to future generations. Mass media plays a significant role in shaping and informing society in every nation. It is through it that information is passed to different groups of people in society. Finally, functionalist views families as a contributing factor to the stability of society, but conflict theorists view families as reflecting systems of power in society.Mass media can be defined as the print and the electronic means by which communication takes place. However, like functionalist theory, it traces the origin of social behavior in the structure of society, but it differs from functionalism in that it focuses on the significance of power. Therefore, the conflict theory has been criticized for not emphasizing the issue of shared values in a society like functionalism, but its focus on inequality and social control. The theory views the race and class to contribute to the unjust done to the minority because they accumulate resources that give them the power to fight the poor in society (Powers 175). Therefore, those with most resources put pressure on those without resources, and in the end, there is an unequal distribution of resources. Andersen and Taylor (21) indicate that individuals and groups fight for control over society’s resources trying to secure them to meet their interests. The theory demonstrates that the unequal distribution of the resource is brought by people who are powerful and want everything to be in their interest.Ĭoercion and social control unite people in society, but there is exceptional of shared values and conformity. From a perspective of conflict theory, consensus occurs because people are united to attain a common interest and often in conflict with other groups. The theory emphasizes the order in society is maintained by power and not unity and the power is with the mighty ones. While, functionalism emphasis unity within society, conflict theory focuses on strive and friction in society. Conflict theoryĪccording to Andersen and Taylor (21), conflict theory focuses on the role of coercion and power that gives individuals or groups the ability to influence and control others in producing social order.

Therefore, the theory is concern about the togetherness of all parts of society to produce a whole society. Meanwhile, the theory was further developed by Talcott Parsons, who urged that all parts of the social system interact. The theory was further developed by Robert Merton, who argued that social activities have consequences for society that are not always immediately perceptible. These negative impacts from malfunctioning in the social system include a breakdown in shared values and social institutions no longer meet the people’s needs. The changes that may occur due to the malfunctioning of some part in the society may be beneficial or may hurt society. The functionalism theory argues that when one part of society is not functioning well, it influences all other parts and cause social problems in society. Several changes are brought by the incompetence of society thus, the parts in society should be organized well to bring stability (Powers 175). Thus, the theory maintains the sharing of public resources that produce an orderly society.

Structural functionalism vs conflict theory