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Sociololgy A Level OCR > 2.1: Functionalism > Flashcards

2.1: Functionalism Flashcards

1
Q

Sociological theories help make sense of how society works and what causes societies to change.
Theories are often built around important what?

A

Theories are often built around important:
1. Concepts
Or,
2. Ideologies

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2
Q

Consensus theories

A

Consensus theories are theories in sociology that see society as based on shared values

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3
Q

Consensus theories are theories in sociology that see society as based on shared values.
Consensus theories emphasise the idea that human societies work best when what?

A

Consensus theories emphasise the idea that human societies work best when their members agree on fundamental principles of how society should be organised

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4
Q

Consensus theories are theories in sociology that see society as based on shared values.
Consensus theories emphasise the idea that human societies work best when their members agree on fundamental principles of how society should be organised and share common what?

A

Consensus theories:

  1. Emphasise the idea that human societies work best when their members agree on fundamental principles of how society should be organised
  2. Share common norms, values and beliefs
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5
Q

Consensus theories are theories in sociology that see society as based on shared values.
Consensus theories emphasise the idea that human societies work best when their members agree on fundamental principles of how society should be organised and share common norms, values and beliefs.
This does what and means that there is what in society?

A

This:

  1. Makes social life more predictable
  2. Means that there is a social order in society
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6
Q

Consensus theories are theories in sociology that see society as based on shared values.
Consensus theories emphasise the idea that human societies work best when their members agree on fundamental principles of how society should be organised and share common norms, values and beliefs.
This makes social life more predictable and means that there is a social order in society.
Example

A

For example, in schools and colleges:
1. Students
2. Teachers
know what to expect of one another in their roles

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7
Q

Consensus theories are theories in sociology that see society as based on shared values.
Consensus theories emphasise the idea that human societies work best when their members agree on fundamental principles of how society should be organised and share common norms, values and beliefs.
This makes social life more predictable and means that there is a social order in society.
Consensus theories also examine what?

A

Consensus theories also examine how different social institutions in society work together to ensure that members of society get the things they need

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8
Q

Consensus theories are theories in sociology that see society as based on shared values.
Consensus theories emphasise the idea that human societies work best when their members agree on fundamental principles of how society should be organised and share common norms, values and beliefs.
This makes social life more predictable and means that there is a social order in society.
Consensus theories also examine how different social institutions in society work together to ensure that members of society get the things they need.
Example

A

For example, schools and colleges exist to educate their students, but they also serve the needs of:

  1. Businesses
  2. The economy
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9
Q

What is the most influential consensus theory in sociology?

A

Functionalism is the most influential consensus theory in sociology

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10
Q

Functionalism is the most influential consensus theory in sociology.
Functionalism has its origins in the work of early sociologists such as who?

A

Functionalism has its origins in the work of early sociologists such as Emile Durkheim

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11
Q

Functionalism is the most influential consensus theory in sociology.
Functionalism has its origins in the work of early sociologists such as Emile Durkheim (what years)?

A

Functionalism has its origins in the work of early sociologists such as Emile Durkheim (1858 - 1917)

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12
Q

Functionalism is the most influential consensus theory in sociology.
Functionalism has its origins in the work of early sociologists such as Emile Durkheim (1858 - 1917).
Durkheim argued that members of societies need to feel what?

A

Durkheim argued that members of societies need to feel a sense of social solidarity

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13
Q

Social solidarity

A

Social solidarity is a sense of unity and belonging in a group created by shared:

  1. Values
  2. Experiences
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14
Q

Functionalism is the most influential consensus theory in sociology.
Functionalism has its origins in the work of early sociologists such as Emile Durkheim (1858 - 1917).
Durkheim argued that members of societies need to feel a sense of social solidarity.
Durkheim was concerned that what?

A

Durkheim was concerned that in large modern societies, people would lose their sense of belonging

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15
Q

Functionalism is the most influential consensus theory in sociology.
Functionalism has its origins in the work of early sociologists such as Emile Durkheim (1858 - 1917).
Durkheim argued that members of societies need to feel a sense of social solidarity.
Durkheim was concerned that in large modern societies, people would lose their sense of belonging and become anonymous individuals uncertain about how to behave or what their roles are in society.
Durkheim described this as a sense of what?

A

Durkheim described this as a sense of:
1. ‘Anomie’
Or,
2. Normlessness

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16
Q

Anomie

A 
Anomie is a state of:
1. Normlessness
Or,
2. Uncertainty
about how to behave in a situation where there is rapid change in society
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17
Q

Theory

A

A theory is a simply an idea about how something works

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18
Q

Emilie Durkheim, the founder of functionalism, argued that people’s behaviour is shaped by what?

A

Emilie Durkheim, the founder of functionalism, argued that people’s behaviour is shaped by social forces

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19
Q

Emilie Durkheim, the founder of functionalism, argued that people’s behaviour is shaped by social forces.
Durkheim argued that our sense of culture and identity is the result of being what?

A

Durkheim argued that our sense of:
1. Culture
2. Identity
is the result of being socialised into a modern society

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20
Q

Emilie Durkheim, the founder of functionalism, argued that people’s behaviour is shaped by social forces.
Durkheim argued that our sense of culture and identity is the result of being socialised into a modern society.
We learn norms and values from our what?

A

We learn:
1. Norms
2. Values
from our society

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21
Q

Emilie Durkheim, the founder of functionalism, argued that people’s behaviour is shaped by social forces.
Durkheim argued that our sense of culture and identity is the result of being socialised into a modern society.
We learn norms and values from our society and these enable us to share ways of what in society?

A

We learn norms and values from our society and these enable us to share ways of:
1. Thinking
2. Behaving
in society

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22
Q

Emilie Durkheim, the founder of functionalism, argued that people’s behaviour is shaped by social forces.
Durkheim argued that our sense of culture and identity is the result of being socialised into a modern society.
We learn norms and values from our society and these enable us to share ways of thinking and behaving in society.
Durkheim described this shared way of thinking as what?

A

Durkheim described this shared way of thinking as the collective conscience of society

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23
Q

Functionalists argue that in order for society to exist, there must be what?

A

Functionalists argue that in order for society to exist, there must be a shared sense of social order

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24
Q

Functionalists argue that in order for society to exist, there must be a shared sense of social order.
Durkheim wanted to explain how social order is what?

A

Durkheim wanted to explain how social order is maintained

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25
Q

Functionalists argue that in order for society to exist, there must be a shared sense of social order.
Durkheim wanted to explain how social order is maintained.
Durkheim’s answer was that societies need to be based on what?

A

Durkheim’s answer was that societies need to be based on value consensus

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26
Q

Functionalists argue that in order for society to exist, there must be a shared sense of social order.
Durkheim wanted to explain how social order is maintained.
Durkheim’s answer was that societies need to be based on value consensus.
Value consensus

A

Value consensus is shared agreement about what is:

  1. Worthwhile
  2. Desirable
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27
Q

Functionalists argue that in order for society to exist, there must be a shared sense of social order.
Durkheim wanted to explain how social order is maintained.
Durkheim’s answer was that societies need to be based on value consensus.
The function of agents of socialisation like the family, education and religion is to do what?

A

The function of agents of socialisation like:
1. The family
2. Education
3. Religion
is to socialise individuals into this value consensus

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28
Q

Functionalism is a what theory?

A 
Functionalism is a:
1. Consensus
2. Macro
3. Structural
theory
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29
Q

Functionalism is a consensus, macro and structural theory.

Consensus reflects what?

A

Consensus reflects agreement

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30
Q

Functionalism is a consensus, macro and structural theory.

Macro reflects that functionalism does what?

A

Macro reflects that functionalism generalises

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31
Q

Functionalism is a consensus, macro and structural theory.

Macro reflects that functionalism generalises and so is not what?

A

Macro reflects that functionalism:

  1. Generalises
  2. So is not applicable to everyone
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32
Q

Functionalism is a consensus, macro and structural theory.

Structural reflects what?

A

Structural reflects the 6 agents of socialisation

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33
Q

Functionalism is a consensus, macro and structural theory.

Structural reflects the 6 agents of socialisation and leads to what in society?

A

Structural:

  1. Reflects the 6 agents of socialisation
  2. Leads to a lack of tolerance in society
34
Q

AO3: Functionalism is too what?

A

Functionalism is too rose-tinted

35
Q

A03: Functionalism is too rose-tinted.

It ignores what?

A

Functionalism ignores the negative aspects of:

  1. Society
  2. The agents of socialisation
36
Q

Functionalism was mainly written when?

A

Functionalism was mainly written in the:

  1. 1950s
  2. 1960s
37
Q

Functionalism was mainly written in the 1950s and 1960s, although there are now what?

A

Functionalism was mainly written in the 1950s and 1960s, although there are now Neo (new) Functionalists

38
Q

Functionalism was mainly written in the 1950s and 1960s, although there are now Neo (new) Functionalists.
AO3: This reflects that functionalism is what?

A

This reflects that functionalism is outdated

39
Q

Functionalism was mainly written in the 1950s and 1960s, although there are now Neo (new) Functionalists.
AO3: This reflects that functionalism is outdated and so is not as what?

A 
This reflects that functionalism is outdated and so is not as:
1. Relevant
Or,
2. Applicable
to contemporary British society anymore
40
Q

Functionalists always ask about the what of an institution or agent of socialisation?

A

Functionalists always ask about the:
1. Purpose
2. Positive function(s)
of an institution or agent of socialisation

41
Q

Functionalists believe that all agencies of socialisation play a what?

A

Functionalists believe that all agencies of socialisation play a positive function

42
Q

Functionalists believe that what control our behaviour?

A

Functionalists believe that:
1. Society
2. Agencies of socialisation
control our behaviour

43
Q

Functionalists believe that society and agencies of socialisation control our behaviour.
A02: Functionalists believe that society and agencies of socialisation control our behaviour, through what?

A 
Functionalists believe that:
1. Society
2. Agencies of socialisation
control our behaviour
,through social control
44
Q

Functionalists believe that society and agencies of socialisation control our behaviour.
A02: Functionalists believe that society and agencies of socialisation control our behaviour, through social control, including what?

A

Functionalists believe that society and agencies of socialisation control our behaviour, through social control, including:

  1. Formal and informal social control mechanisms
  2. Positive and negative sanctioning
45
Q

Functionalists believe in what families?

A 
Functionalists believe in:
1. White
2. Heterosexual
3. Middle class
4. Nuclear
families
46
Q

Functionalists believe in white, heterosexual, middle class, nuclear families.
This means that Functionalists think that other family types, such as same-sex families, are what and should not (or do not) what?

A

This means that Functionalists think that other family types, such as same-sex families:

  1. Are not good for society
  2. Should not (or do not) exist
47
Q

Functionalists believe in white, heterosexual, middle class, nuclear families.
This means that Functionalists think that other family types, such as same-sex families, are not good for society and should not (or do not) exist.
AO3: This is not true where?

A

This is not true in contemporary British society

48
Q

Functionalists believe in white, heterosexual, middle class, nuclear families.
This means that Functionalists think that other family types, such as same-sex families, are not good for society and should not (or do not) exist.
AO3: This is not true in contemporary British society, because there are indeed other family types that are not what in society and are what?

A

This is not true in contemporary British society, because there are indeed other family types that are:

  1. Not deviant in society
  2. Successful
49
Q

Functionalists believe in white, heterosexual, middle class, nuclear families.
This means that Functionalists think that other family types, such as same-sex families, are not good for society and should not (or do not) exist.
AO3: This is not true in contemporary British society, because there are indeed other family types that are not deviant in society and are successful, such as what?

A

This is not true in contemporary British society, because there are indeed other family types that are:
1. Not deviant in society
2. Successful
,such as lone-parent families

50
Q

Functionalists believe that without consensus and harmony, there is what Functionalists call what?

A

Functionalists believe that without consensus and harmony, there is what Functionalists call anomie

51
Q

Functionalists believe that without consensus and harmony, there is what Functionalists call anomie.
Society does not function with what?

A

Society does not function with anomie

52
Q

AO3: Neo (new) Functionalists could argue that Functionalism is not outdated and is relevant and applicable to society, because although Functionalism was mainly written in the 1950s and 1960s, there are now what?

A

Neo (new) Functionalists could argue that Functionalism is:
1. Not outdated
2. Relevant and applicable to society
,because although Functionalism was mainly written in the 1950s and 1960s, there are now Neo (new) Functionalists

53
Q

AO3: The negatives of all 6 agencies of socialisation.

Not all agencies play a positive function in society, because not everyone has what?

A

Not all agencies play a positive function in society, because not everyone has access to all agencies of socialisation

54
Q

AO3: The negatives of all 6 agencies of socialisation.
Not all agencies play a positive function in society, because not everyone has access to all agencies of socialisation.
Example

A

For example, some people:

  1. Are unemployed
  2. So don’t belong to a workplace
55
Q

Functionalism is the most influential consensus theory in sociology and has its origins in the work of early sociologists such as Emile Durkheim (1858 - 1917).
Another Functionalist sociologist, who, emphasised what?

A

Another Functionalist sociologist, Talcott Parsons, emphasised the important role of socialisation in creating value consensus in society

56
Q

Functionalism is the most influential consensus theory in sociology and has its origins in the work of early sociologists such as Emile Durkheim (1858 - 1917).
Another Functionalist sociologist, Talcott Parsons (what years), emphasised the important role of socialisation in creating value consensus in society?

A

Another Functionalist sociologist, Talcott Parsons (1902 - 1979), emphasised the important role of socialisation in creating value consensus in society

57
Q

Another Functionalist sociologist, Talcott Parsons (1902 - 1979), emphasised the important role of socialisation in creating value consensus in society.
Parsons saw key institutions and agencies of socialisation as working together to do what to each new generation?

A

Parsons saw:
1. Key institutions
2. Agencies of socialisation
as working together to transmit shared norms and values to each new generation

58
Q

Another Functionalist sociologist, Talcott Parsons (1902 - 1979), emphasised the important role of socialisation in creating value consensus in society.
Parsons saw key institutions and agencies of socialisation as working together to transmit shared norms and values to each new generation, ensuring what in society?

A

Parsons saw key institutions and agencies of socialisation as working together to transmit shared norms and values to each new generation, ensuring:
1. Stability
2. Continuity
in society

59
Q

Another Functionalist sociologist, Talcott Parsons (1902 - 1979), emphasised the important role of socialisation in creating value consensus in society.
Parsons saw key institutions and agencies of socialisation as working together to transmit shared norms and values to each new generation, ensuring stability and continuity in society.
Parsons saw such institutions of society as working together in what?

A

Parsons saw such institutions of society as working together in harmony

60
Q

Another Functionalist sociologist, Talcott Parsons (1902 - 1979), emphasised the important role of socialisation in creating value consensus in society.
Parsons saw key institutions and agencies of socialisation as working together to transmit shared norms and values to each new generation, ensuring stability and continuity in society.
Parsons saw such institutions of society as working together in harmony, with each institution doing what?

A

Parsons saw such institutions of society as working together in harmony, with each institution:

  1. Depending on the others
  2. Contributing to maintaining society as a whole
61
Q

Functionalists sometimes use an organic analogy, seeing society as like what with what?

A

Functionalists sometimes use an organic analogy, seeing society as like a human body with different organs contributing to the whole

62
Q

Functionalists sometimes use an organic analogy, seeing society as like a human body with different organs contributing to the whole.
Example

A

For example:

  1. Our lungs provide oxygen for the blood, which is pumped around the body by the heart
  2. The kidneys remove waste matter from the blood
63
Q

Functionalists sometimes use an organic analogy, seeing society as like a human body with different organs contributing to the whole.
For example, our lungs provide oxygen for the blood, which is pumped around the body by the heart and the kidneys remove waste matter from the blood.
In the same way, in society, what?

A

In the same way, in society:
1. Families
2. Educational institutions
socialise future workers

64
Q

Why is functionalism often referred to as a structural theory?

A

Functionalism is often referred to as a structural theory, because of the way it sees parts of society as linked together in a structure

65
Q

Structural theories

A

Structural theories are theories that see society as a structure that influences individuals to behave in:
1. Orderly
2. Patterned
ways

66
Q

Macro theories

A

Macro theories are theories that focus on understanding:

  1. Society as a whole
  2. The relationship between parts of society
67
Q

Functionalism is so-called, because Functionalists tend to analyse social institutions in terms of the what they perform for society?

A

Functionalism is so-called, because Functionalists tend to analyse social institutions in terms of the functions they perform for society

68
Q

Functionalism is so-called, because Functionalists tend to analyse social institutions in terms of the functions they perform for society.
For example, Parsons saw the functions of families in what societies in terms of what?

A

For example, Parsons saw the functions of families in industrial societies in terms of:

  1. Socialising children
  2. Providing psychological security for adults
69
Q

Functionalism is so-called, because Functionalists tend to analyse social institutions in terms of the functions they perform for society.
For example, Parsons saw the functions of families in industrial societies in terms of socialising children and providing psychological security for adults.
Durkheim saw the function of religion as what?

A

Durkheim saw the function of religion as creating a sense of solidarity through individuals:

  1. Participating in acts of collective worship
  2. Focusing on shared symbols
70
Q

Functionalism was probably the most influential theory in sociology up to the 1950s.
Functionalism is particularly effective at analysing how different parts of a society work together to do what?

A

Functionalism is particularly effective at analysing how different parts of a society work together to provide for its members’ needs

71
Q

Functionalism was probably the most influential theory in sociology up to the 1950s.
Functionalism is particularly effective at analysing how different parts of a society work together to provide for its members’ needs.
Functionalism also highlights how societies tend to do what when people can agree and cooperate?

A

Functionalism also highlights how societies tend to operate more effectively when people can:

  1. Agree
  2. Cooperate
72
Q

Functionalism was probably the most influential theory in sociology up to the 1950s.
Functionalism is particularly effective at analysing how different parts of a society work together to provide for its members’ needs.
Functionalism also highlights how societies tend to operate more effectively when people can agree and cooperate.
However, since the 1960s, functionalism has come under what?

A

Since the 1960s, functionalism has come under strong criticism from other theories

73
Q

Functionalism was probably the most influential theory in sociology up to the 1950s.
Functionalism is particularly effective at analysing how different parts of a society work together to provide for its members’ needs.
Functionalism also highlights how societies tend to operate more effectively when people can agree and cooperate.
However, since the 1960s, functionalism has come under strong criticism from other theories and only a few sociologists today would describe themselves as functionalists.
In particular, functionalism fails to explain what?

A

In particular, functionalism fails to explain conflicts in society

74
Q

However, since the 1960s, functionalism has come under strong criticism from other theories and only a few sociologists today would describe themselves as functionalists.
In particular, functionalism fails to explain conflicts in society and tends to assume that what?

A

In particular, functionalism:

  1. Fails to explain conflicts in society
  2. Tends to assume that society operates for everyone’s benefit equally
75
Q

However, since the 1960s, functionalism has come under strong criticism from other theories and only a few sociologists today would describe themselves as functionalists.
In particular, functionalism fails to explain conflicts in society and tends to assume that society operates for everyone’s benefit equally.
In a multicultural society like the UK, there may be conflicts between different what?

A 
In a multicultural society like the UK, there may be conflicts between different:
1. Religious
2. Ethnic
3. Cultural
groups
76
Q

However, since the 1960s, functionalism has come under strong criticism from other theories and only a few sociologists today would describe themselves as functionalists.
In particular, functionalism fails to explain conflicts in society and tends to assume that society operates for everyone’s benefit equally.
In a multicultural society like the UK, there may be conflicts between different religious, ethnic and cultural groups over, for example, what?

A 
In a multicultural society like the UK, there may be conflicts between different religious, ethnic and cultural groups over, for example, the:
1. Role of women
2. Acceptability of homosexuality
Or,
2. Teaching of religion in schools
77
Q

However, since the 1960s, functionalism has come under strong criticism from other theories and only a few sociologists today would describe themselves as functionalists.
In particular, functionalism fails to explain conflicts in society and tends to assume that society operates for everyone’s benefit equally.
In a multicultural society like the UK, there may be conflicts between different religious, ethnic and cultural groups over, for example, the role of women, the acceptability of homosexuality or teaching of religion in schools.
It could also be argued that where conflicts exist, what?

A

It could also be argued that where conflicts exist, it is the:
1. Ideas
2. Beliefs
of more powerful groups that tend to dominate

78
Q

Functionalists argue that society is based on what?

A

Functionalists argue that society is based on:

  1. Value consensus
  2. Harmony (agreement)
79
Q

Consensus theories are theories in sociology that see society as based on shared values.
Consensus theories emphasise the idea that human societies work best when their members agree on fundamental principles of how society should be organised and share common norms, values and beliefs.
This makes social life more predictable and means that there is a social order in society.
Consensus theories also examine how different social institutions in society work together to ensure that members of society get the things they need.
For example, schools and colleges exist to educate their students, but they also serve the needs of businesses and the economy by doing what?

A

For example, schools and colleges exist to educate their students, but they also serve the needs of businesses and the economy by ensuring that future workers:

  1. Are suitably socialised
  2. Have the skills needed by employers
80
Q

Functionalism is the most influential consensus theory in sociology.
Functionalism has its origins in the work of early sociologists such as Emile Durkheim (1858 - 1917).
Durkheim argued that members of societies need to feel a sense of social solidarity.
Durkheim was concerned that in large modern societies, people would lose their sense of belonging and become what?

A

Durkheim was concerned that in large modern societies, people would lose their sense of belonging and become anonymous individuals

81
Q

Functionalism is the most influential consensus theory in sociology.
Functionalism has its origins in the work of early sociologists such as Emile Durkheim (1858 - 1917).
Durkheim argued that members of societies need to feel a sense of social solidarity.
Durkheim was concerned that in large modern societies, people would lose their sense of belonging and become anonymous individuals uncertain about what?

A

Durkheim was concerned that in large modern societies, people would lose their sense of belonging and become anonymous individuals uncertain about:
1. How to behave
Or,
2. What their roles are in society

Sociololgy A Level OCR (53 decks)

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