Introduction to Sociology

But first... A review on functionalism!

Fill in the blank for the following statement: Functionalism sees society as a structure with ____________ parts that work together to meet the needs of society. 

• 
  small
  
• 
  isolated
  
• 
  interrelated
  
• 
  individual
  

Answer: interrelated. You got it! Just like the cogs that work together in a machine, functionalism views society as interrelated and interconnected parts.
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Technology and Professional Circles: LinkedIn

What is the Function of LinkedIn?

• 
  With the increase in globalization, the significance of hiring global employees has also increased - LinkedIn provides a platform through which individuals can connect with employees and employers despite geographical distance
  
• 
  Just take a look at LinkedIn’s reported statistics (2020, https://news.linkedin.com/about-us#1): 
  
  • 
    690 million members in 200 countries: of these 690 million, 186 are in North America, 157 are in Europe, 185 are in the Asia-Pacific region, 101 are in Latin America, and 59 are in the Middle East and Africa
    
  • 
    50 million companies listed, 20 million jobs listed, 90,000 schools listed, and 36,000 skills listed
    
• 
  LinkedIn facilitates professional networks that would otherwise be unavailable – individuals are able to connect and communicate with other individuals whom they would otherwise never come in contact with
  
• 
  As such, through platforms like LinkedIn, professional communication is facilitated, which in turn allows for the larger societal need of professional connections to be fulfilled
  

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Technology and Coupling: Dating Sites

What is the Function of Dating Apps and Websites?

• 
  Seeking romantic relationships is not a new phenomenon in society – but the ways in which we find romantic partners has changed, with boundaries being challenged through communication and technology
  
• 
  Online dating sites and dating applications allow individuals to fulfill the societal cultural norm of finding romantic relationships despite geographical boundaries, social anxieties, and pandemics – and many report that online-starting relationships are just as successful as others (Vogels, 2020)
  
• 
  The PRC (2020, https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/02/06/10-facts-about-americans-and-online-dating/) found that:
  
  • 
    30% of adults have used a dating site or app; 48% of those aged 18-29 reported the same
    

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