Lack of latent function?

I do agree with you that even situations in which a person is acting in their own self interest, that action plays into the greater role of how that individual is perceived by society. It is hard to pinpoint the latent functions of every event or institution though, because Merton argues that latent functions are often unintended and unforeseen consequences. Many of which aren't even known until the latent consequences are causing a disruption in the cohesions of social structure.  

So these latent functions do exist everywhere, but not necessarily because they play into how society views the person, but because each action has (whether it be predictable or unpredictable/unnoticed) a consequence.