Functionalism

Question 1

What do functionalists believe in

Answer 1

According to functionalists, each aspect of society is interdependent and contributes to society’s functioning as a whole.

They also believe that society is held together by social consensus, in which members of the society agree upon, and work together to achieve, what is best for society as a whole.

For example, The government, or state, provides education for the children of the family, which in turn pays taxes on which the state depends to keep itself running.

Question 2

Define social consensus

Answer 2

is the idea that the. thoughts, feelings, and actions of others are similar to one’s own.

Question 3

Define Value consensus and how its helpful

Answer 3

It enables people to co-operate and to work together to achieve shared goals.

Question 4

Define interdependence

Answer 4

The notion that we all rely on each other. i.e recognizing that we are all connected and dependent on one another.

Question 5

Define anomie

Answer 5

The breakdown of norms and values in society.

Question 6

Emile Durkheim’s beliefs on Functionalism (Brief)

Answer 6

1. Durkheim believes that Society shapes the individual.

2. Durkheim argues that society teaches us Social Solidarity and Socialisation preventing anomie from occurring

Question 7

What is Parsons functionalist theory?

Answer 7

Talcott Parsons viewed society as a system.

Parson argue that socialisation is key to understanding human behaviour patterns

He also argued that any social system has four basic functional prerequisites

Question 8

What are Parsons’ Four Imperatives/Prerequisites?

Answer 8

Adaptation
Goal Attainment
Integration
Latency ( individual beliefs and values) further divided into 1. Pattern Maintenance and 2. Tension Management.

Question 9

What is Adaptation in relation to Parsons’ Four Imperatives/Prerequisites?

Answer 9

Meeting material needs through the economic sub-system

Question 10

What is Goal Attainment in relation to Parsons’ Four Imperatives/Prerequisites?

Answer 10

Societies need to provide collective goals for their members to aspire to. Governments set goals such as Labour setting a target that 50% of school leavers would attend university.

Question 11

Explain Intergration in relation to Parsons’ Four Imperatives/Prerequisites?

Answer 11

Each institution in society develops in response to particular functions.

All societies need a legal system to mediate any conflict and protect the social system from breaking down.

Question 12

Explain Latency in relation to Parsons’ Four Imperatives/Prerequisites?

Answer 12

This final prerequisite deals with individuals and how they cope.

1. Pattern Maintenance - problems faced by people when conflicting demands are made of them, such as being a member of a minority religious group and a member of a largely Christian-based society.
2. Tension management: if a society is going to continue to exist then it needs to motivate people to continue to belong to society and not to leave or oppose it.

Question 13

Who introduced the organic analogy and how does Society work in a similar manner to the human body?

Answer 13

Emile Durkheim argued that society was like a human body (the organic analogy). Society is made up of various institutions that act as the body’s organs: they all needed to be functioning properly for the body to function.

Specific institutions in society complete a similar function e.g. (Family, Education, Work) are interdependent for a smooth running of society if one of the institutions breaks down it will affect the whole of society.

Question 14

Define social cohesion

Answer 14

refers to the strength of relationships and the sense of solidarity among members of a community

Question 15

Is Functionalism a Structural or Interpretive theory?

Answer 15

Structural Theory - It is a ‘top down’ theory that looks at the society rather than the individuals within it

Question 16

What does Structural Theory emphasize

Answer 16

It emphasises society’s power over the individual and believes that the individual is largely controlled by society.

Question 17

Criticisms of functionalism (in detail)

Answer 17

Conflict theorists (Marxists and Feminists) point out that Functionalists have a rose-tinted view of society – they focus too much on the positive functions that institutions perform, ignoring the negative ways in which institutions and socialisation can have on certain people.

Parsons suggests society is like an organism but this is not true. Organisms are biological entities that have a natural form and a natural life cycle. Society on the other hand, is a concept, consisting of the activities of possibly millions of people. There is no natural cycle or natural form.

Functionalists have real problems explaining social change. If, as Parsons claims, institutions exists to fulfil social needs, then once these needs are fulfilled there is no reason to change them. Societies would never change in form unless there are some external changes that impact on the four functional prerequisites.

Question 18

The function of social institutions

Answer 18

to socialise individuals into a system of norms and values that will guide their future behaviour and thinking.

Question 19

What is the role of social institutions such as the family, education, religion and the media

Answer 19

to ensure the passing on of socially acceptable patterns of behaviour.

Question 20

What was Robert Merton ( 1957) criticism of Parsons theory that if an institution was functional for one part of society, then it was functional for all parts of society

Answer 20

Merton suggests that Parsons failed to realise the distinction between manifest (intended) and latent (unintended) consequences of these functions and that latent functions are not always desirable ones. Merton say that this makes any analysis of society much more complex than Parson’s simple model implies.

Question 21

Define Social Norms

Answer 21

rule or standard of behaviour shared by members of a social group.

e.g
make direct eye contact with the person you are speaking with.

Do not stand close enough to a stranger to touch arms or hips.

Don’t invade someone’s personal space.

Question 22

Culture

Answer 22

the languages, customs, beliefs, rules, arts, knowledge, and collective identities and memories developed by members of all social groups that make their social environments meaningful.

Question 23

Socialisation

Answer 23

Socialization is the process through which people are taught to be proficient members of a society. It describes the ways that people come to understand societal norms and expectations, to accept society’s beliefs, and to be aware of societal values.

Question 24

Name and explain the two forms of social consensus suggested by Durkheim

Answer 24

1. Mechanical solidarity - a form of social cohesion that arises when people in a society maintain similar values and beliefs and engage in similar types of work. most commonly occurs in traditional, simple societies such as those in which everyone herds cattle or farms.
2. Organic solidarity in contrast is a form of social cohesion that arises when the people in a society are interdependent but hold to varying values and beliefs and engage in varying types of work.

Organic solidarity most commonly occurs in industrialized, complex societies such as those in large American cities like New York in the 2000s.