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Sociology: Theory and Methods > 4. Intro and Consensus Theory: Functionalism > Flashcards

4. Intro and Consensus Theory: Functionalism Flashcards

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Sociology 101 flashcards
1
Q

consensus vs conflict

A

how social order is maintained and how people manage to live together with some degree of harmony and stability despite differences

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2
Q

Problem of determinism and choice?

A

if behaviour is moulded by society not free will and choice, how much freedom do they have and does this mean their identities are moulded by social forces outside social control

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3
Q

What is structuralism

A

the overall structure of society and the way institutions limit, and control individual behaviours
we are puppets on strings, shaped and controlled by society we live in

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4
Q

What are two structuralist theories

A

Functionalism and Marxism

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5
Q

Positivism

A

only evidence that can be scientifically verified of capable of logical or mathematical proof os valid

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6
Q

before the enlightenment?

A

Catholicism was all powerful
Life Influenced by religion and God
Devine right of kings in power

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7
Q

After enlightenment

A

newton proved mathematical laws and discovered motion of planets
desire to explain with science grew
humans notions were survival & pleasure not good and bad

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8
Q

Functionalism - a structural theory

A

sees society as system that shapes individuals

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9
Q

Functionalism - a consensus theory

A

seeing society as shaped by agreement about values goals and rules

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10
Q

Functionalism main aim?

A

Society can be improved through the discovery of social functions

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11
Q

Who are key Functionalism theorists

A

Durkheim
Refined by Parsons 1902-1979
Merton 1910-2004

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12
Q

In the 1950s and 60s, society was…

A

Society is a stable, harmonious integrated social system with social order and cohesion maintained by fundamental value consensus

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13
Q

How is society seen as a system

A

The organic analogy - parsons

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14
Q

What is the organic analogy system?

A

society and body are both self-regulating systems of inter-related, interdependent parts that fit together in a fixed way. All different institutions and organs are the same

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15
Q

What are the organic analogy system needs?

A

organisms need nutrition. society has basic needs tat must be met, such as being socialised.
If not everyone would argue and fight everyone and then ultimately no one would win

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16
Q

What are the organic analogy functions?

A

every part contributes to the system to keep it alive and ensure survival
the economy funds society and allows for social mobility to happen

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17
Q

What are the systems in society

A

Norms are called status roles
e.g. positions that exist in society, how the occupants carry out their duties
Status roles come in clusters
e.g. institutions, families exist with mum, dad, etc.
Related institutions are grouped into sub-systems.

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18
Q

What are societies prerequisites

A

institutions exist to satisfy basic needs and must work together
malfunction alerts us when something is wrong

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19
Q

What does Parsons suggest about society

A

If society is healthy, we must solve instrumental and expressive problems thus satisfying the prerequisites met by sub systems
GAIL Model

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20
Q

Instrumental Problems

A

providing materials needs for survival
Goals Attainment
Adaptation

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21
Q

Expressive Problems

A

maintaining an efficient cooperation and a sense of social solidarity
Integration
Latency

22
Q

Goal Attainment

A

setting collective goals, priorities and allocating resource to solve them
political

23
Q

Adaptation

A

Adapting to the environment to provide materials necessary
Economic

24
Q

Integration

A

Co-ordinating all parts of the system through socialisation and ensuring everyone has shared goals
Cultural

25
Q

Latency

A

process which maintain society overtime
Kinship provides pattern maintenance
-socialises individuals to perform roles required
Tensions management
-place to let off steam after the stress of work
Family

26
Q

What are the three concepts

A
  1. Value consensus and social order
  2. Sanctions and social order
  3. Socialisation and social order
27
Q

Establishment and maintenance of social order

A

Durkheim 1982
value consensus and social integration
learn common values

28
Q

What is value and consensus order

A

institutions generally promote value consensus
an important function of social institutions
commitment to common values is basis for order
belief in work ethic and meritocracy
work ethic- work hard no laziness
meritocracy- hard work should be rewarded

29
Q

How do we integrate individuals together

A

value consensus is about making social order possible as peoples needs need to be met
to achieve this we must apply specific rules or norms
and use specific tools to do so

30
Q

How do we help society be integrated

A

Sanctions and Social Order
Socialisation and Social Order

31
Q

What are sanctions and social order

A

formal sanctions - detentions, in trouble with police
informal sanctions - dirty looks, no second date
understand whether behaviour is correct and accepted within society

32
Q

What is Socialisation and social order

A

Family is responsible for passing basic norms and values of society, early levels
Education integrates individuals into wider society, a sense of belonging
Other institutions regulate behaviour through social sanctions- prevent crime and deviance

33
Q

What is social change

A

When new functions emerge or society needs to adapt

34
Q

How does social change happen

A

a change in one part results in a change elsewhere so the system remains balanced
Parsons calls this structural differentiation
He also uses social evolution from simple hunters to advanced industrial

35
Q

Structural differentiation

A

society evolves as new needs arise for both society and individuals means instituions become more specialised
separate, functionally specialised institutions develop, each meeting a different need.

36
Q

Why is more complex society better

A

more adaptive, more innovative and able to harness talents of wider ranges of individuals

37
Q

How can social change happen

A

social differentiation
moving/dynamic equilibrium

38
Q

What is moving equilibrium

A

as change occurs in one part of the system, change happens else where to compensate
rise of industry brings changes to nuclear families

39
Q

What was Merton’s critique of Functionalism
-internal critique

A

Indispensability
Functional Unity
Universal Functionalism

40
Q

What is Indespensability

A

he assumed everything in society is indispensable in its current form
untested and may have functional alternatives

41
Q

Why could nuclear families come under the functional alternatives category

A

Families in England are so different, so many different types of family unit
Not just 2 parents 2 kids nowadays

42
Q

What is Functional unity

A

assumes all parts of society are tightly integrated
a change has knock on consequences to all systems
in complex modern society, some parts are only distantly related to each other
instead it should be functional autonomy

43
Q

What is Universal Functionalism

A

assumes everything is a positive function for society as a whole
disregards positives for some and negatives for others
dysfunction is neglected by functionalists, it suggest conflict of interests
idea is basis of conflict perspectives

44
Q

What is Merton’s main criticism of Parsons

A

we cannot assume society is always a smooth running and integrated system

45
Q

Dysfunction

A

Some parts of the social structure dont work as intended with negative consequences and effects
Things do go wrong in society
Dysfunction happens more often than not
New technology helps some but ruins others
All parts of the social system affected

46
Q

Manifest functions

A

Merton suggested manifest
-the intended recognised outcome or action of an institution

47
Q

Latent Functions

A

Merton then suggested latent functions
-unintended and unrecognised consequences

48
Q

External evaluation strengths

A

produce general evaluation on societal workings
importance of social structures
constraints behaviour and links
explains social order and stability
hence conformance

49
Q

External evaluation logical criticism

A

real explanation identifies its cause
logic before effect
functionalists see family causes socialisation
unscientific too
deviance is functional and dysfunctional

50
Q

External Evaluation action perspective criticism

A

Wrong 1961 sees deterministic
functionalist perspec see people as puppets on strings
theorist state individuals create society due to interaction
reifies society taking notice to society needs not individual
society cannot exist on its own though

51
Q

External evaluation postmodernist criticism

A

functionalism assumes society is stable and ordered
cannot account for diversity and instability
met-narrative
society is not whole, but fragmented

52
Q

External evaluation conflict criticism

A

inability to explain conflict and change
society is meant to be harmony, conservative ideology
based on exploitation and unequal interest (Marxism)
stability is result of dominant class preventing change through coercion
false consciousness- no shared view

Sociology: Theory and Methods (8 decks)

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