Each system in society has a specific function that relies on and is associated to other systems. When these systems function, it leads to social stability. Dysfunction in one or more systems leads to social instability. Both functions and dysfunctions can be latent or manifest. Manifest functions or dysfunctions are deliberate and known. While latent functions or dysfunctions are unintended and/or go unrecognized by many. Positive or negative values are not attached to functions or dysfunctions. In other words, things that are often viewed by people as wrong or harmful can lead to social stability as much as things that are commonly viewed as right or fair. [2]
Merton wrote:
the distinction between manifest and latent functions was devised to preclude ... confusion ... between conscious motivations for social behaviour and its objective consequences
— Robert K. Merton, Social Theory and Social Structure, 1957, page 61
Merton noted that he has "... adapted the terms "manifest" and "latent" from their use in another context by Freud...".[3]
Manifest functions are the consequences that people see, observe or even expect. It is explicitly stated and understood by the participants in the relevant action. The manifest function of a rain dance, used as an example by Merton in his 1957 Social Theory and Social Structure, is to produce rain, and this outcome is intended and desired by people participating in the ritual.[4][5]
Latent functions are those that are neither recognized nor intended. A latent function of a behavior is not explicitly stated, recognized, or intended by the people involved. Thus, they are identified by observers.[5] In the example of rain ceremony, the latent function reinforces the group identity by providing a regular opportunity for the members of a group to meet and engage in a common activity.[4]
Peter L. Berger describes a series of examples illustrating the differences between manifest functions and latent dysfunctions:
"...the “manifest” function of antigambling legislation may be to suppress gambling, its “latent” function to create an illegal empire for the gambling syndicates. Or Christian missions in parts of Africa “manifestly” tried to convert Africans to Christianity, “latently” helped to destroy the indigenous tribal cultures and this provided an important impetus towards rapid social transformation. Or the control of the Communist Party over all sectors of social life in Russia “manifestly” was to assure the continued dominance of the revolutionary ethos, “latently” created a new class of comfortable bureaucrats uncannily bourgeois in its aspirations and increasingly disinclined toward the self-denial of Bolshevik dedication (nomenklatura). Or the “manifest” function of many voluntary associations in America is sociability and public service, the “latent” function to attach status indices to those permitted to belong to such associations.” "[2]
While Talcott Parsons tends to emphasize the manifest functions of social behavior, Merton sees attention to latent functions as increasing the understanding of society: the distinction between manifest and latent forces the sociologist to go beyond the reasons individuals give for their actions or for the existence of customs and institutions; it makes them look for other social consequences that allow these practices’ survival and illuminate the way society works.
Dysfunctionsedit
Dysfunctions can also be manifest or latent. While functions are intended or recognized (manifest), and may have a positive effect on society, dysfunctions are unintended or unrecognized, and have a negative effect on society.[6]
Manifest dysfunctions are anticipated disruptions of social life. For example, a manifest dysfunction of a festival might include disruptions of transportation and excessive production of garbage.[7] Latent dysfunctions are unintended and unanticipated disruptions of order and stability. In the festival example, they would be represented by people missing work due to the traffic jam.[7]
ANTHROPOLOGICAL THEORIES: A GUIDE PREPARED BY STUDENTS FOR STUDENTS Dr. M.D. Murphy
THE UNANTICIPATED CONSEQUENCES OF HUMAN ACTION: A Synoposis of the Structure-Functional Theories of Robert K. Merton, Diligio, 2000
Merton, Robert K. 1957. Social Theory and Social Structure, revised and enlarged edition. New York: Free Press of Glencoe. Excerpts, selected by Frank Elwell
Manifest and Latent Functions Excerpt from Invitation to Sociology by Peter L. Berger, pp. 40–41 (NY: Doubleday (Anchor Books), 1963)
David B. Brinkerhoff, Suzanne T. Ortega, Rose Weitz, Thomson Wadsworth, 2004, ISBN0-534-62676-9, [1] Google Print, p. 12]
Joan Ferrante, Sociology: A Global Perspective, Thomson Wadsworth, 2005, ISBN0-495-00561-4, Google Print, p.37
manifest, latent, functions, dysfunctions, manifest, latent, functions, social, scientific, concepts, created, anthropologist, bronisław, malinowski, 1922, while, studying, trobriand, islanders, western, pacific, later, modified, sociology, robert, merton, mer. Manifest and latent functions are social scientific concepts created by anthropologist Bronislaw Malinowski in 1922 while studying the Trobriand Islanders in the Western Pacific It was later modified for sociology by Robert K Merton 1 Merton appeared interested in sharpening the conceptual tools to be employed in a functional analysis Each system in society has a specific function that relies on and is associated to other systems When these systems function it leads to social stability Dysfunction in one or more systems leads to social instability Both functions and dysfunctions can be latent or manifest Manifest functions or dysfunctions are deliberate and known While latent functions or dysfunctions are unintended and or go unrecognized by many Positive or negative values are not attached to functions or dysfunctions In other words things that are often viewed by people as wrong or harmful can lead to social stability as much as things that are commonly viewed as right or fair 2 Merton wrote the distinction between manifest and latent functions was devised to preclude confusion between conscious motivations for social behaviour and its objective consequences Robert K Merton Social Theory and Social Structure 1957 page 61 Merton noted that he has adapted the terms manifest and latent from their use in another context by Freud 3 Contents 1 Functions 2 Dysfunctions 3 See also 4 References 5 External links 6 Further readingFunctions editManifest functions are the consequences that people see observe or even expect It is explicitly stated and understood by the participants in the relevant action The manifest function of a rain dance used as an example by Merton in his 1957 Social Theory and Social Structure is to produce rain and this outcome is intended and desired by people participating in the ritual 4 5 Latent functions are those that are neither recognized nor intended A latent function of a behavior is not explicitly stated recognized or intended by the people involved Thus they are identified by observers 5 In the example of rain ceremony the latent function reinforces the group identity by providing a regular opportunity for the members of a group to meet and engage in a common activity 4 Peter L Berger describes a series of examples illustrating the differences between manifest functions and latent dysfunctions the manifest function of antigambling legislation may be to suppress gambling its latent function to create an illegal empire for the gambling syndicates Or Christian missions in parts of Africa manifestly tried to convert Africans to Christianity latently helped to destroy the indigenous tribal cultures and this provided an important impetus towards rapid social transformation Or the control of the Communist Party over all sectors of social life in Russia manifestly was to assure the continued dominance of the revolutionary ethos latently created a new class of comfortable bureaucrats uncannily bourgeois in its aspirations and increasingly disinclined toward the self denial of Bolshevik dedication nomenklatura Or the manifest function of many voluntary associations in America is sociability and public service the latent function to attach status indices to those permitted to belong to such associations 2 While Talcott Parsons tends to emphasize the manifest functions of social behavior Merton sees attention to latent functions as increasing the understanding of society the distinction between manifest and latent forces the sociologist to go beyond the reasons individuals give for their actions or for the existence of customs and institutions it makes them look for other social consequences that allow these practices survival and illuminate the way society works Dysfunctions editDysfunctions can also be manifest or latent While functions are intended or recognized manifest and may have a positive effect on society dysfunctions are unintended or unrecognized and have a negative effect on society 6 Manifest dysfunctions are anticipated disruptions of social life For example a manifest dysfunction of a festival might include disruptions of transportation and excessive production of garbage 7 Latent dysfunctions are unintended and unanticipated disruptions of order and stability In the festival example they would be represented by people missing work due to the traffic jam 7 See also editStructural functionalism Unintended consequencesReferences edit Diligio 2000 a b Chirico JoAnn 11 October 2018 Global Problems Global Solutions Prospects for a Better World SAGE Publications ISBN 978 1 5063 4779 0 Merton Robert K 15 September 1996 On Social Structure and Science University of Chicago Press p 87 ISBN 978 0 226 52071 1 a b Merton 1957 a b Ecological Anthropology anthropology ua edu Archived from the original on 29 July 2012 Brinkerhoff et al 2004 a b Ferrante 2005 External links editMANIFEST AND LATENT FUNCTIONS Extract from Robert K Merton Social Theory and Social Structure Glencoe IL Free Press 1957 pp 60 69 MANIFEST LATENT FUNCTION definition at Principia Cybernetica WebFurther reading editANTHROPOLOGICAL THEORIES A GUIDE PREPARED BY STUDENTS FOR STUDENTS Dr M D Murphy THE UNANTICIPATED CONSEQUENCES OF HUMAN ACTION A Synoposis of the Structure Functional Theories of Robert K Merton Diligio 2000 Merton Robert K 1957 Social Theory and Social Structure revised and enlarged edition New York Free Press of Glencoe Excerpts selected by Frank Elwell Manifest and Latent Functions Excerpt from Invitation to Sociology by Peter L Berger pp 40 41 NY Doubleday Anchor Books 1963 David B Brinkerhoff Suzanne T Ortega Rose Weitz Thomson Wadsworth 2004 ISBN 0 534 62676 9 1 Google Print p 12 Joan Ferrante Sociology A Global Perspective Thomson Wadsworth 2005 ISBN 0 495 00561 4 Google Print p 37 Paul Helm Manifest and Latent Functions The Philosophical Quarterly Vol 21 No 82 Jan 1971 pp 51 60 JSTOR Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Manifest and latent functions and dysfunctions amp oldid 1178504952, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
