Durkheim described functionalism as a sociological perspective, which believes various function-based parts create equilibrium for the whole society to function. This perspective assumes that the society is made up of people who have the same belief system. When society becomes disorganization, social problems occur; therefore, it must be orderly. The best examples of functionalism are hierarchical social institutions that are made up of integral parts.
These organizations can easily follow functionalism because hierarchical systems use consistent control to have a checks and balanced system over its “parts” or people within it. Hospitals are considered social institutions because they are organized systems with value consensus. They share the common values to contribute to society by providing healthcare to society. Each part of staffing works to maintain the whole hospital; this includes doctors, nurses, maintenance, accountants, lab technicians, receptionists, and security personnel. Every position has its own function such as lab technician who process the tests and labs that the doctors may order. Each level also has a manager to ensure that each branch is running efficiently and orderly. The procedures used to govern usually do not change drastically otherwise disorganization is created. Hospitals encounter social problems such as debt when there is disorganization in its society. Accountants regulate spending within hospitals in determining what is appropriate to prevent that financial deficient from happening. Overall, the organization could not exist without the summation of individual parts, which necessitate the existence of one another. For instance, the lab technicians would not have work if it were not for the doctors just the doctors would not be able to run tests if they did not have technicians. Social institutions function like an organism in this way because all components must cooperate in working for the best interest of the whole. A functionalist would look at the different positions and hierarchical organization within the social institution to determine if it following their conceptualization of society.
Functionalism also encompasses the idea of collective consciousness that consists of common belief system for the typical member of the society construct. They understand the importance of the society morals over the individual’s. This idea is similar to Weber iron cage theory wherein citizens must give up some up their own inherent rights for society to function as a whole. An individual working in a hospital must follow the values of the organization over their own when it comes to medical issues; for instance, if a family chooses to discontinue life support for their family member. the medical staff must adhere to the hospital and family’s determination even if they do not agree with the decision. Durkheim’s notion of functionalism and collectivity are essential creating an orderly society or institution. All components must be consistent is having their own functions, have the same values, and work to support the whole.
These organizations can easily follow functionalism because hierarchical systems use consistent control to have a checks and balanced system over its “parts” or people within it. Hospitals are considered social institutions because they are organized systems with value consensus. They share the common values to contribute to society by providing healthcare to society. Each part of staffing works to maintain the whole hospital; this includes doctors, nurses, maintenance, accountants, lab technicians, receptionists, and security personnel. Every position has its own function such as lab technician who process the tests and labs that the doctors may order. Each level also has a manager to ensure that each branch is running efficiently and orderly. The procedures used to govern usually do not change drastically otherwise disorganization is created. Hospitals encounter social problems such as debt when there is disorganization in its society. Accountants regulate spending within hospitals in determining what is appropriate to prevent that financial deficient from happening. Overall, the organization could not exist without the summation of individual parts, which necessitate the existence of one another. For instance, the lab technicians would not have work if it were not for the doctors just the doctors would not be able to run tests if they did not have technicians. Social institutions function like an organism in this way because all components must cooperate in working for the best interest of the whole. A functionalist would look at the different positions and hierarchical organization within the social institution to determine if it following their conceptualization of society.
Functionalism also encompasses the idea of collective consciousness that consists of common belief system for the typical member of the society construct. They understand the importance of the society morals over the individual’s. This idea is similar to Weber iron cage theory wherein citizens must give up some up their own inherent rights for society to function as a whole. An individual working in a hospital must follow the values of the organization over their own when it comes to medical issues; for instance, if a family chooses to discontinue life support for their family member. the medical staff must adhere to the hospital and family’s determination even if they do not agree with the decision. Durkheim’s notion of functionalism and collectivity are essential creating an orderly society or institution. All components must be consistent is having their own functions, have the same values, and work to support the whole.