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Functionalism is the oldest, and arguably the most dominant theoretical perspective in sociology and many other social sciences. This perspective is built upon twin emphases: application of the scientific method to the objective social world and use of an analogy between the individual organism and society. The perspective has, without a doubt contributed greatly to our understanding of society; over the years functionalist theorists have succeeded in conducting studies on a variety of aspects that have proved useful in supporting their various ideas about society.

The functionalist theory has been largely based on society being a system like the human body requiring a combination of social institutions in order to function. Its theorists seek to explain the existence of social institutions in accordance to the role they perform for society. It focuses on society rather than the individual in it and therefore is a structural theory. It uses positivist methodology that is in decline as a modern research technique as there is more call for an empathetic understanding to society and a focus on the individual.

Within society the functionalists outline what they call functional prerequisites, these are what society requires in order to exist. The term was first coined by theorist Talcott Parsons who suggested that these social needs can be organized into four categories; Adaptation(to the environment), Goal attainment (shared aims), Integration (to reduce conflict), Pattern maintenance (norms and values). Davies and Moore state that these functional prerequisites can vary in different cultures and societies; however, they are still there to serve the same purpose and to keep society functioning whilst maintaining social harmony.

The functionalist Durkheim introduced the idea of social facts; these are external to individuals but act on them in a constraining way by restricting an individual’s actions and determining their...