In an attempt to develop a more dynamic analysis of social systems, the American sociologist Talcott Parsons introduced a structural–functional approach that employs the concept of function as a link between relatively stable structural categories.

Who introduced functionalism?

In 1890, William James attempted to explain how consciousness functions with his book The Principles of Psychology. Because James's theories attempted to explain the function of consciousness rather than the structure, his approach was appropriately named functionalism.

Who presented functionalist theory?

The functionalist perspective, also called functionalism, is one of the major theoretical perspectives in sociology. It has its origins in the works of Emile Durkheim, who was especially interested in how social order is possible or how society remains relatively stable.