Manifest and Latent Functions, Essay Example

In his discussion of the manifest and latent functions of social actions, Robert Merton draws a distinction between the conscious and unconscious actions that human beings engage in when involved in social situations.  By his definition, a manifest function has conscious motivations and intended consequences; the outcomes of manifest functions are expected by the individual.  Conversely, latent functions operate at a subconscious level and have unintended or unexpected consequences.

Merton’s theory of manifest and latent functions has implications within my own life, especially in relation to the reasons why I’m pursuing an education.  For example, I attended elementary and high school because both my parents and state regulations required me to receive a specific kind of education.  The manifest function of my early education was to ensure that I learned mathematics, English, and other relevant subjects.  The latent function of this was to reinforce the social norms concerning education both within my home and community.  Manifest functions usually have immediate consequences, whereas latent functions can occur over a longer period of time.  Thus, my early education also has the latent function of encouraging me to pursue higher education by strengthening the connection that I’ve made between education and my career prospects, as well as by reinforcing my parents’ belief that higher education is a prerequisite to success.

Manifest and latent functions are also prevalent in my everyday activities, from simple grooming practices to larger health and social issues.  For example, the manifest function of brushing my teeth after every meal exists because I want to have fresh breath and clean teeth.  The latent function is connected to my desire to please my dentist at my annual checkups, and to maintain the long-term health of my teeth and gums.  The latent function is also related to the importance that my culture and society places on straight, white, and clean teeth; I might not put such an emphasis on my own dental care if I wasn’t constantly bombarded by commercials for toothpaste and pictures of Hollywood actors and actresses with perfect smiles.  In my social circle, many of my peers go to the bar after class or on weekends so that they can interact with each other. I often attend as well; the manifest function of this activity is so that I can let off steam, socialize, and have a good time. The latent function of going to the bar is that I can increase my sense of belonging amongst my fellow students by building social relationships with them outside of the classroom. On a more subconscious level, this sort of social activity also reinforces the traditional gender dynamics that operate within a barroom environment in terms of men and women flirting with each other, sleeping together, and sometimes going on to date each other and get married.  Thus, a simple Friday night out at the bar allows me to reenact courtship rituals and participate in the continuation of traditional gender roles (such as men paying for women’s drinks, men and women dressing in specific ways to convey certain messages, etc.).

Robert Merton’s theory of manifest and latent functions was developed to help prevent confusion between our conscious motivations and their objective outcomes. The excerpt from Merton in our textbook uses the example of consumer behavior to illustrate how manifest and latent functions can be applied to every day life. However, this theory can be applied in much broader ways, essentially demonstrating that the choices we make and the outcomes of those choices are not wholly independent to the individual, but instead speak to the wider influence of our upbringing, our families, and our relationships with peer groups and society as a whole.

Works Cited

Appelrouth, Scott & Desfor Edles, Laura. Classical and Contemporary Sociological Theory: Text and Readings. Newbury Park, CA: Pine Forge Press, 2008.