ABSTRACT
Theories located within the functionalist paradigm have two things in common: they are interested in the orderly relationships that exist between people; and they prefer to explore this interest in the style of the natural sciences. The functionalist is impressed by the regularity that exists in human affairs. The nature of such order, how it comes about and how it is maintained is the focus of their attention. There is an intriguing relationship between the behaviour of the conforming individual and the equilibrium exhibited by the social system as a whole.
