FunctionalismHow functionalists explain an institution by what it does for the wider system.SociologyThe model, and the standing objections to it.The argumentSociety is a system of interdependent parts.Institutions persist because they meet needs.Value consensus is what integrates the whole.Parsons' AGIL: adapt, goals, integrate, latency.Merton: manifest and latent functions.Merton adds dysfunctions and functional equivalents.Standing objectionsTeleology: an effect used as a cause.Consensus assumed rather than demonstrated.Conflict and power are under-described.Change is hard to explain from equilibrium.Actors appear over-socialised, with no agency.It can justify an arrangement by describing it.Educational reference. Functionalism is a lens, not a verdict: 'it has afunction' is a hypothesis that needs evidence.Functionalismlearnposters.com
Functionalism — printable law & society wall chart from LearnPosters. Free vector PDF, US Letter and A4.

What’s on the Functionalism poster

12 entries in 2 groups.

The model, and the standing objections to it.

Educational reference. Functionalism is a lens, not a verdict: 'it has a function' is a hypothesis that needs evidence.

Questions about the Functionalism poster

What’s on the Functionalism poster?
12 entries in 2 groups. The model, and the standing objections to it. The argument: Society is a system of interdependent parts., Institutions persist beca…; Standing objections: Teleology: an effect used as a cause., Consensus assumed rather…. Educational reference. Functionalism is a lens, not a verdict: 'it has a function' is a hypothesis that needs evidence.
Who is the Functionalism poster for?
Functionalism belongs to the Sociology section rather than to a school year, because law & society is not something one grade owns. Anyone learning theory can pin it up — a beginner, a student mid-course, or someone revising years later.
When should you use the Functionalism poster?
As one of three lenses to hold against any institution before you judge it. A wall chart earns its place by being glanceable from where the work is happening, so Functionalism belongs on the wall where that law & society work actually happens, within glancing distance, rather than filed away.
What other posters go with Functionalism?
Bourdieu: Forms of Capital, Conflict Theory and The Frankfurt School sit alongside Functionalism in the Sociology section. Printed together they make a wall rather than a single sheet, which is how a reference set actually gets used.Bourdieu: Forms of CapitalConflict TheoryThe Frankfurt School
Is the Functionalism poster free to download and print?
Yes. Functionalism downloads as a free PDF with no account, no email and no watermark, like everything else in the Sociology section. Print as many copies as you like for a home, a classroom, a library or a tutoring group; reselling the file is the only thing the licence rules out.Read the licence
What size does the Functionalism poster print at?
Functionalism is a vector PDF laid out for US Letter, and prints on A4 with Fit to page — the same file, no separate download. Because every mark on it is drawn rather than photographed, it stays sharp enlarged to A3, A2 or A1 at a copy shop. Colour carries emphasis only, so a greyscale print of Functionalism loses nothing.Printing guide

Related posters

Charts that sit alongside Functionalism on the same wall.

Browse every Sociology poster, or start from the full catalogue.