Sociology / Unit 1 Soc 0034 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Manifest and Latent Functions
Captions available
The idea
Robert Merton distinguished a manifest function, an institution's intended and recognized effect, from a latent function, an effect that is unintended and largely unrecognized.
In practice
A social app's manifest function is messaging; a latent function is that people use it to date instead.
Where people slip
Latent does not mean hidden by anyone — merely unplanned, and often more consequential than the plan.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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