Notes: Robert Merton | Sociology Mains Optional for UPSC 2024 PDF Download

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Robert Merton Functional Postulates 
Robert Merton  
Summarized & Modified all earlier functional approaches into 3 postulates 
 
Postulates of:  
Functional Unity: unity of constituents needed for smooth functioning.  
Merton Added: Some constituents may be non – functional or dysfunctional.  
Eg. – Certain elements of Religion can be divisive. 
 
Functional Indispensability:  
 
2 waysIndispensability of certain functions Radcliffe Brown’s necessary conditions Parson’s functional 
requisite (AGIL) Indispensability of existing social Institutions Malinowski’s Theory of needs Durkheim’s 
DoL Religion indispensable for society 
Merton Added: Functional Alternatives Eg. Creche – Socialization of children (alternative of family) 
 
Universal Functionalism  
Existing social forms, inevitably functional Comte’s emphasis on consensus Malinowski’s emphasis on 
vital functions  
 
Merton Added  
Items may be dysfunctional or non– functional Task of investigator to identify net balance 
 
Latent & Manifest functions Manifest  
(Inspired from Weber) (Parsons – Motivational orientation) Intended meanings of the actor. Subjective 
to Individual. Psychological dimension to understand reality. To understand Micro–perspective. Merton 
favored non–positivist techniques for identifying manifest 
 
Latent  
(Inspired from Durkheim & Redcliffe Brown) (Hopi tribe dancing, religion etc.) Hidden to actor 
Unintended consequence Actor unaware Structural dimension to understand social reality Merton 
recommended using Quanta & Quail methods to identify 
 
Significance of M & L functions  
Increased the preview of Sociology (objecting both subjective dispositions and objective consequences)  
Multi–disciplinary approach (Socio & Psycho) Resolved contradiction between positions & non– 
positivism 
 
Functional Paradigm  
Methodological push to functional analysis Steps to be followed by the investigator (to develop 
functional theories) 
Social item under study = standardized pattern 
Page 2


Robert Merton Functional Postulates 
Robert Merton  
Summarized & Modified all earlier functional approaches into 3 postulates 
 
Postulates of:  
Functional Unity: unity of constituents needed for smooth functioning.  
Merton Added: Some constituents may be non – functional or dysfunctional.  
Eg. – Certain elements of Religion can be divisive. 
 
Functional Indispensability:  
 
2 waysIndispensability of certain functions Radcliffe Brown’s necessary conditions Parson’s functional 
requisite (AGIL) Indispensability of existing social Institutions Malinowski’s Theory of needs Durkheim’s 
DoL Religion indispensable for society 
Merton Added: Functional Alternatives Eg. Creche – Socialization of children (alternative of family) 
 
Universal Functionalism  
Existing social forms, inevitably functional Comte’s emphasis on consensus Malinowski’s emphasis on 
vital functions  
 
Merton Added  
Items may be dysfunctional or non– functional Task of investigator to identify net balance 
 
Latent & Manifest functions Manifest  
(Inspired from Weber) (Parsons – Motivational orientation) Intended meanings of the actor. Subjective 
to Individual. Psychological dimension to understand reality. To understand Micro–perspective. Merton 
favored non–positivist techniques for identifying manifest 
 
Latent  
(Inspired from Durkheim & Redcliffe Brown) (Hopi tribe dancing, religion etc.) Hidden to actor 
Unintended consequence Actor unaware Structural dimension to understand social reality Merton 
recommended using Quanta & Quail methods to identify 
 
Significance of M & L functions  
Increased the preview of Sociology (objecting both subjective dispositions and objective consequences)  
Multi–disciplinary approach (Socio & Psycho) Resolved contradiction between positions & non– 
positivism 
 
Functional Paradigm  
Methodological push to functional analysis Steps to be followed by the investigator (to develop 
functional theories) 
Social item under study = standardized pattern 
Social context, meanings, boundaries of study to be specified  
Using both primary + Secondary techniques & sources Identify Manifest function Identify Latent 
functions (motives not identified by individuals) Study dysfunction of both L & M Functional Alternatives 
Net Balance 
 
Middle range Theories  
Bridged gap or raw empiricism (facts ,[ethnographic]& abstract generalizations (only theory (like 
Parsons)] Triple Alliance Theory Method – functional Paradigm Data – 1) Primary 2) Secondary Combine 
MRTs to form Grand theories 
 
Advantages of MRTs  
More scientific – Testable, based on data Practically Applicable Shorter / Smaller sample Less time + cost 
 
Disadvantages Limited scope of farming universal Theory (of less absractions) Hard to see what is M.R. 
phenomenon (subjectivity will creep in ) Over – emphasizes data (over – empiricism) 
 
Theory of Deviance | Anomy Book: 
“Social structure & Anomy, 1938” “Social Theory & Social Structure, 1949” 
 
Deviance: Non – conformity to norms & policy  
Goffman: “We all are socially deviant”. All criminal acts = Deviant but not deviant = cremini Various 
sociological theories 
 
Deviance result of –  
Subcultural characteristics Faulty socializations Parental deprivation Differential opportunities etc Not 
always dysfunctional Durkheim – “particular rate of crime is Normal”. 
 
Merton conception  
Discrepancy between – culturally defined goals & structural means to achieve goals  
Merton vs Durkheim on anomy  
Both consider it problem in normative order 
 
Durkheim     Merton  
Temporary     Discrepancy b/w desired goals & available means 
Cause: social currents    Not temporary  
Waves of enthusiasm, distress etc  Structural property of every society 
 
Page 3


Robert Merton Functional Postulates 
Robert Merton  
Summarized & Modified all earlier functional approaches into 3 postulates 
 
Postulates of:  
Functional Unity: unity of constituents needed for smooth functioning.  
Merton Added: Some constituents may be non – functional or dysfunctional.  
Eg. – Certain elements of Religion can be divisive. 
 
Functional Indispensability:  
 
2 waysIndispensability of certain functions Radcliffe Brown’s necessary conditions Parson’s functional 
requisite (AGIL) Indispensability of existing social Institutions Malinowski’s Theory of needs Durkheim’s 
DoL Religion indispensable for society 
Merton Added: Functional Alternatives Eg. Creche – Socialization of children (alternative of family) 
 
Universal Functionalism  
Existing social forms, inevitably functional Comte’s emphasis on consensus Malinowski’s emphasis on 
vital functions  
 
Merton Added  
Items may be dysfunctional or non– functional Task of investigator to identify net balance 
 
Latent & Manifest functions Manifest  
(Inspired from Weber) (Parsons – Motivational orientation) Intended meanings of the actor. Subjective 
to Individual. Psychological dimension to understand reality. To understand Micro–perspective. Merton 
favored non–positivist techniques for identifying manifest 
 
Latent  
(Inspired from Durkheim & Redcliffe Brown) (Hopi tribe dancing, religion etc.) Hidden to actor 
Unintended consequence Actor unaware Structural dimension to understand social reality Merton 
recommended using Quanta & Quail methods to identify 
 
Significance of M & L functions  
Increased the preview of Sociology (objecting both subjective dispositions and objective consequences)  
Multi–disciplinary approach (Socio & Psycho) Resolved contradiction between positions & non– 
positivism 
 
Functional Paradigm  
Methodological push to functional analysis Steps to be followed by the investigator (to develop 
functional theories) 
Social item under study = standardized pattern 
Social context, meanings, boundaries of study to be specified  
Using both primary + Secondary techniques & sources Identify Manifest function Identify Latent 
functions (motives not identified by individuals) Study dysfunction of both L & M Functional Alternatives 
Net Balance 
 
Middle range Theories  
Bridged gap or raw empiricism (facts ,[ethnographic]& abstract generalizations (only theory (like 
Parsons)] Triple Alliance Theory Method – functional Paradigm Data – 1) Primary 2) Secondary Combine 
MRTs to form Grand theories 
 
Advantages of MRTs  
More scientific – Testable, based on data Practically Applicable Shorter / Smaller sample Less time + cost 
 
Disadvantages Limited scope of farming universal Theory (of less absractions) Hard to see what is M.R. 
phenomenon (subjectivity will creep in ) Over – emphasizes data (over – empiricism) 
 
Theory of Deviance | Anomy Book: 
“Social structure & Anomy, 1938” “Social Theory & Social Structure, 1949” 
 
Deviance: Non – conformity to norms & policy  
Goffman: “We all are socially deviant”. All criminal acts = Deviant but not deviant = cremini Various 
sociological theories 
 
Deviance result of –  
Subcultural characteristics Faulty socializations Parental deprivation Differential opportunities etc Not 
always dysfunctional Durkheim – “particular rate of crime is Normal”. 
 
Merton conception  
Discrepancy between – culturally defined goals & structural means to achieve goals  
Merton vs Durkheim on anomy  
Both consider it problem in normative order 
 
Durkheim     Merton  
Temporary     Discrepancy b/w desired goals & available means 
Cause: social currents    Not temporary  
Waves of enthusiasm, distress etc  Structural property of every society 
 
 
 
Merton Added 
Every deviance has some conformity Can be functional or dysfunctional 
 
Reference Groups 
A RG is one to which you always refer to in order to evaluate your achievements, aspiration & ambitions. 
An outline of social psychology.