Structural functionalism and role theory

Abstract

Let me begin by briefly explaining the term ‘structural functionalism’ by taking each word in turn. ‘Structuralist’ sociological approaches are those which assert that the behaviour of people in society is structured according to a set of rules or laws. Evidence for this assertion is based on the observation that people do not act randomly; instead, their behaviour, including their social interactions, is patterned. Thus the aim of the sociologist is to identify the laws that structure our behaviour.