Fuctionalists (consensus Structralism)

Question 1

What does functionalism branch out from?

Answer 1

Structuralism

Question 2

Who is functionalism most closely associated with?

Answer 2

Emilie Durkheim, a French sociologist (1858-1917)

Question 3

Who else created functionalism?

Answer 3

American Talcott Parsons (1902-79)

Question 4

How does functionalism see society?

Answer 4

As built up and working like the human body, made up of interrelated parts which function for the maintenance of society

Question 5

What’s an example of society working like a human body to keep the maintenance?

Answer 5

In order to work out how the heart works, we need to understand what function or purpose each carries out and how they work together in providing and maintaining the basic needs of human life.

Question 6

Functionalists believe in functional prerequisites. What does the term ‘functional prerequisites’ and examples of this?

Answer 6

Certain basic needs or requirements that must be met if society is to function. Examples of this include the production of food, the sociaization of new generations into the culture of society.

Social institutions such as education and family exists to meet these basic needs.

Question 7

How is stability in society achieved? What are these known as?

Answer 7

Through socialization into norms and values. These shared norms and values are known as value consensus. It is values consensus that functionalists believe maintains what they see as a peaceful and harmonious society.

Question 8

What does ‘value consensus mean’?

Answer 8

A general agreement around the main values and norms of any society.