The Limitations of Functional Analysis in Mass Communications Research

Abstract

Despite Wright's optimistic claim in 1974 that func tionalism was alive and well, it seems that both con ceptually and empirically, functionalism has been o f little value... Mass communication theory needs a comprehensive research approach which takes into consideration producers (including vested interests) and consumers, as well as other definable groups and intervening social processes and relations.... What is needed is a theory of society that embraces not only the control mechanisms serving to maintain the social order but which also deals with the conflict ual processes that resist or attempt to subvert the "equilibrium"....