normative functionalism

normative functionalism

those forms of FUNCTIONALISM which emphasize the importance of the part played by VALUES and value CONSENSUS in the overall INTEGRATION of societies. The charge is often made that these forms of functionalism give disproportionate weight to the importance of values and normative integration (including the internalization of values) in producing social integration. The STRUCTURAL-FUNCTIONALISM of Talcott PARSONS is often held to be a prime example. See also SOCIAL INTEGRATION AND SYSTEM INTEGRATION, OVERSOCIALIZED CONCEPTION OF MAN; compare DOMINANT IDEOLOGY THESIS.