key term - Function

Definition

In the context of sociology, function refers to the role or contribution that a social institution, practice, or phenomenon plays in the operation and stability of society. It examines how various parts of society work together to fulfill necessary duties and maintain social order.

Related terms

Social Institution: A complex group of interdependent positions that perform a social role and reproduce themselves over time; examples include the family, education systems, and government.

Social Stability: The state in which social institutions and structures hold a society together and maintain an orderly and functional environment.

Social Order:

An arrangement of practices and behaviors on which society’s members base their daily lives, established mainly through norms and laws to ensure predictability and cooperation among individuals