1. Functionalism

Question 1

What approach does functionalism take to society, what does this approach mean?

Answer 1

Takes a structural/macro/top-down approach
Analyses the role of large social structures and institutions, and their influence on individuals

Question 2

How should society and humans be studied according to functionalists?

Answer 2

Using the same quantitative research methods as the natural sciences

Question 3

Two key functionalists

Answer 3

Durkheim
Parsons

Question 4

What did Durkheim want to understand?

Answer 4

Rapid social change brought about by industrialisation

Question 5

Traits of traditional society according to Durkheim

Answer 5

Strong collective conscience
Little division of labour

Question 6

Traits of modern society according to Durkheim

Answer 6

Weakened social solidarity
Big division of labour
Includes anomie

Question 7

What allows social order to exist according to Durkheim?

Answer 7

The value consensus

Question 8

What did Parsons develop to show the similarities between society and biological organisms?

Answer 8

The organic analogy

Question 9

Parts of the organic analogy and what they mean

Answer 9

1. System - organisms are made up of interrelated, interdependent parts that fit together
2. System needs - In order for society to survive it’s members need to be socialised
3. Functions - function of every part is to contribute to systems survival. If one part of fails, the whole thing fails

Question 10

What two things is society based on according to Parsons?

Answer 10

Social order
Value consensus

Question 11

Society needs individuals to conform. How is this achieved according to Parsons?

Answer 11

Through socialisation and social control

Question 12

Parsons believed that the system has needs in order to maintain society. What are these needs?

Answer 12

GAIL:
Goal attainment
Adaptation
Integration
Latency

Question 13

3 strengths of functionalism

Answer 13

Recognises importance of social structure
Explains social order and stability
Explains why most people conform

Question 14

Micro approach critic of functionalism

Answer 14

Micro approaches see it as too deterministic, seeing individuals as passive products of the system and not having any individual choice

Question 15

Postmodernist critic of functionalism

Answer 15

Postmodernists believe functionalism can no longer explain society due to its fragmentation

Question 16

Conflict theory critic of functionalism

Answer 16

Conflict theorists argue value consensus is just an idea made by the dominant social class/group