sociology of sports.
Sociology of Sports
The Functionalist theory looks at society as a whole or also known as the macro level. They are designed to preserve and maintain stability within our society, as they view society as stable and integrated. The individual perspective is that people are socialized to perform societal functions and or roles within our society. The key conceptions and ideas are manifest functions which are conscience functions within society; an example of this is the institution such as a college is to offer education and academic excellence and latent functions which are the unconscious functions within society, an example of this is the hidden purpose such as the university being founded back in 1895 for the purpose of mate selection (Schaefer, 2009). Talcott Parsons played a huge role in the functionalist theory and was influenced by Emile Durkheim as well as Max Weber and other sociologist from Europe. Talcott viewed society as a “network of connected parts” and that each part was to contribute to the system as a whole. If these parts were not a contribution to the stability of society, they would not be passed on from generation to generation (Schaefer, 2009). Functionalist are aware that every part will not be functional and are deemed dysfunctional and although they do not like them they are still very much aware of them such as suicide, riots, prostitution are not a positive contribution to society (Ngwako A. 2012). Advocates or the proponents for the functionalist theory derived from Emile Durkheim, Talcott Parsons and Robert Merton (Schaefer, 2009). The functionalist, believe that social order is maintained by cooperation and consensus, and brings about stability. As to social change they don’t particularly like it, as they believe that change is not always for the better they are more into the reinforcement of stability and they like for things to stay predictable (Ngwako. A 2012). The functionalist view at sports, see it...