4. List, define, and briefly discuss the five role-adaptations to the U.S.s cultural and social structures
according to R.K. Merton. (50 points)
5. Define and briefly discuss the concepts of status, role, role-set and status-set, according to R.K.
Merton (50 points)
6. Present a summary of Malinowskis contributions/legacy to modern sociological functionalism, according
to Turner and Maryanski (50 points)
R.K. Merton identified five role adaptations to the U.S. cultural and social structures:
- Conformity: This adaptation occurs when individuals accept both the cultural goals and the institutionalized means to achieve them. For example, a person who works hard, goes to school, and follows the rules to achieve financial success is conforming to societal expectations.
- Innovation: This adaptation occurs when individuals accept the cultural goals but reject the institutionalized means to achieve them. For example, a criminal who commits crimes to achieve wealth and status is innovating.
R.K. Merton identified five role adaptations to the U.S. cultural and social structures:
- Conformity: This adaptation occurs when individuals accept both the cultural goals and the institutionalized means to achieve them. For example, a person who works hard, goes to school, and follows the rules to achieve financial success is conforming to societal expectations.
- Innovation: This adaptation occurs when individuals accept the cultural goals but reject the institutionalized means to achieve them. For example, a criminal who commits crimes to achieve wealth and status is innovating.
- Ritualism: This adaptation occurs when individuals reject the cultural goals but accept the institutionalized means. For example, a person who goes through the motions of working hard and following the rules but has given up on achieving societal goals is ritualistic.
- Retreatism: This adaptation occurs when individuals reject both the cultural goals and the institutionalized means. For example, a person who becomes a hermit or a drug addict is retreating from society.
- Rebellion: This adaptation occurs when individuals reject both the cultural goals and the institutionalized means and actively seek to change them. For example, a social activist who protests against societal norms and institutions is rebelling.
5. Status, Role, Role-Set, and Status-Set
According to R.K. Merton:
- Status: A social position that an individual occupies in society. It can be achieved (e.g., doctor, lawyer) or ascribed (e.g., race, gender).
- Role: The expected behaviors associated with a particular status. For example, a doctor’s role includes diagnosing and treating patients.
- Role-Set: The multiple roles that an individual occupies simultaneously. For example, a person may be a parent, a spouse, and an employee, all of which involve different roles and expectations.
- Status-Set: The combination of all the statuses that an individual occupies at a given time. For example, a person may have the status of a student, athlete, and friend.
6. Malinowski’s Contributions to Sociological Functionalism
Bronislaw Malinowski, a prominent anthropologist, made significant contributions to sociological functionalism. According to Turner and Maryanski, Malinowski’s legacy includes:
- Emphasizing the importance of fieldwork: Malinowski advocated for firsthand observation and participation in the cultures being studied.
- Focusing on the functions of institutions: He argued that social institutions exist to fulfill specific functions within a society.
- Using functional analysis: Malinowski used functional analysis to understand how different elements of a society work together to maintain stability and equilibrium.
- Critiquing structural-functionalism: Malinowski’s work challenged the structural-functionalist approach, emphasizing the importance of agency and individual action in shaping social structures.
Malinowski’s contributions have had a lasting impact on sociological theory and research, and his emphasis on fieldwork and functional analysis continues to be influential today.
