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Structural functionalism, or simply functionalism, is "a framework for building theory that sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability".^[1]

This approach looks at society through a macro-level orientation, which is a broad focus on the social structures that shape society as a whole,^[1] and believes that society has evolved like organisms.^[2] This approach looks at both social structure and social functions. Functionalism addresses society as a whole in terms of the function of its constituent elements; namely norms, customs, traditions, and institutions.

A common analogy called the organic or biological analogy, popularized by Herbert Spencer, presents these parts of society as human body "organs" that work toward the proper functioning of the "body" as a whole.^[3] In the most basic terms, it simply emphasizes "the effort to impute, as rigorously as possible, to each feature, custom, or practice, its effect on the functioning of a supposedly stable, cohesive system". For Talcott Parsons, "structural-functionalism" came to describe a particular stage in the methodological development of social science, rather than a specific school of thought.^[4]^[5]

^ ^a ^b Macionis, John (1944–2011). Sociology. Gerber, Linda Marie (7th ed.). Toronto, Canada: Pearson Prentice Hall. ISBN 9780137001613. OCLC 652430995.
^ DeRosso, Deb. "The Structural-Functional Theoretical Approach". Wisc-Online OER. Retrieved 2012-09-20.
^ Urry, John (2000). "Metaphors". Sociology beyond societies: mobilities for the twenty-first century. Routledge. p. 23. ISBN 978-0-415-19089-3.
^ Parsons, Talcott (1977). Social systems and the evolution of action theory. New York: Free Press. ISBN 978-0029248003. OCLC 2968515.
^ François., Bourricaud (1981). The sociology of Talcott Parsons (Pbk. ed.). Chicago: University of Chicago Press. ISBN 978-0226067568. OCLC 35778236.