Culture + Functionalism Flashcards
what are functionalist assumptions?
that humans have basic biological needs (food, safety) + that society exists to meet those needs - it has important functions
good vs bad societies?
functionalism OPOSSES cultural relativism
- cultures share more than they differ
- some cultures are superior to others = because they function better + fit our needs
western liberal democracies?
europe + north america
liberal = based on idea of people being free
–> favourite functionalist cultures
the importance of tradition?
they believe that culture carries the wisdom of the past to the present and it does this through traditions –> it connects the generations together + pass culture into the future
what is value consensus?
they believe sharing a culture creates value consensus
- an agreed sense of how things should be done
- functionalism is a consensus theory
-> people in cultures share core values = important for our wellbeing
what would happen without value consensus? (anomie)
people would end up living as strangers in their community this leads to disturbed mental state called ‘anomie’ it means ‘without norms’ refers to being disconnected from society –> this creates + rises destructive + self-destructive behaviour
- they see religion as a good way of binding society ‘together’
how do functionalists believe you can evaluate social institutions?
they believe you can evaluate social institutions according to their manifest and latent functions
what is a manifest function?
is the obvious function of a social institution - the thing we can see that institution doing
eg. manifest of police is to catch criminals, manifest of schools is to educate
what are latent functions?
means hidden - they are non-obvious
eg. the latent function of religion helps people cope with stressful life events, births, marriages, deaths
rites of passage - religion provides a way of identifying + regulating these events reducing anomie
key study - emile durkheim (social solidarty + social integration)
idea of social solidarity - sense of being connected to society, following rules
idea of social integration - feeling of commitment to other people brought by collective ceremonies, weddings, national holidays, festivals and by collective identifications - e.g. the flag, national anthems
key study - talcott parsons / the social structure of family (1959)
the social structure of family (1959)
–> outlines the importance of nuclear family (core family, parents + children)
he finds that it socialises children and trains them how to behave
- he finds that it also stabilises adult personalities –> gives them responsibilities + rewards
Argues: that strict gender roles help family be successful
EVAL of functionalism - strengths
- rooted in biological understanding of human being
- generalises conclusions to other cultures + can make comparisons + evaluates culture in terms of what functions best
EVAL of functionalism - weakness
- notion of the ideal society is a western liberal democracy is rooted in post-war years of america –> old –> strict gender roles, based on experiences + preferences of one cultural group
–> is biased in favour of white american middle class
–> does not account for diversity and multiculturalism today
summary of functionalism + culture
- biological basis for human behaviour
- society has functions to fulfil human needs
- manifest (obvious) latent (non-obvious)
- social solidarity/social integration when we share values
- anomie (disconnection) leads to destructive behaviour
- positive view of social institutions
- supports traditional views of gender and the family
