Question

Discuss RK Mertons concept of function?

Answer 1

R.K.Merton took the help of biological sciences to define the term ‘Function’ in sociology. He explained that the function is the contribution of social institutions to society, just like the contribution of organic process inside the human body for the survival of human beings.

Merton says that functions of the social institutions maintain the society and the contributions bring order, unity and cohesiveness in society. Society is constituted by innumerable parts like economy, polity, religion, education, family etc. These parts are not isolated, but are interconnected with each other. Each part has a different function to contribute to society. For example, education has a function, because it prepares the child to adapt to the society. All these functions of social institutions together helps in maintaining the society.

Merton argues that the function of a social institution can be better said by observer than the participant. Because participants may believe that their own subjective motives are the real objective motives of the social institution. For example, children may think that the function of the school is to make friends, whereas the real objective function of the school is to impart knowledge in children for the society’s sustenance. Hence, social scientists should look beyond the subjective motives of the participants and need to know the objective consequences of the social forms. To know this, one needs to question self that how really does the institution contributes to the cohesiveness of the society.