Page 608 - Sociology and You

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Unit 5 Social Change
Section
Theoretical Perspectives on Social Change
2
• equilibrium
Section
• urbanism
The Functionalist Perspective
Because functionalism emphasizes social stability and continuity, it may seem contradictory to refer to a functionalist theory of social change. There are, however, two functionalist theories of social change—
proposed by William Ogburn and Talcott Parsons—that are especially inter- esting. Both of these theories are based on the concept of equilibrium.
Close your eyes and imagine a tightrope walker inching his way across a deep chasm on a narrow rope. If you have an active imagination, you will picture him continually shifting his body and using a pole to counterbalance the effects of the wind as well as the effects of his own motions. The tightrope walker is concerned with maintaining equilibrium. When used by sociologists, equilibrium describes a society’s tendency to react to changes by making small adjustments to keep itself in a state of functioning and balance.
A society in change, then, moves from stability to temporary instability and back to stability. Sociologists refer to this as a dynamic, or moving, equi- librium. For example, in 1972, a broken dam led to the destruction of the community of Buffalo Creek, West Virginia. The physical destruction of the community was accompanied by death and the loss of the old way of life. Despite the ensuing chaos, residents of the community slowly pulled their lives together again. Although things were not the same as before, a new equilibrium was built out of the physical, social, and human wreckage (Erikson, 1976).
Section
Key Terms
Preview
Preview
The functionalist and con- flict perspectives view so- cial change in very different ways. The functionalist per- spective depicts societies as relatively stable. Following a major change, these inte- grated systems seek a new equilibrium. According to the conflict perspective, societies are unstable systems that are constantly undergoing change. Symbolic interac- tionism identifies decreasing shared values as a source of social instability.
equilibrium
a state of functioning and balance, maintained by a society’s tendency to make small adjustments to change
Social equilibrium was shaken for a while, after an earthquake caused the collapse of this Los Angeles area freeway.