Functionalism

Question 1

Organic analogy

Answer 1

• Used to describe how society works ie like a human body
• This is shown in 3 ways :
  1. different yet Interrelated parts
  2. both have needs which must be set to insure their survival
  3. Both have different parts which perform different functions

Question 2

Evaluation of organic analogy

Answer 2

• Merton claims some institutions have no real impact on the other parts of society
• Parsons exaggerates the extent to which society is an independent system

Question 3

The needs of society (GAIL)

Answer 3

• Parsons : society has 4 needs
  1. Goal attainment - People are provided with priorities and goals to work towards and are given the means to achieve these goals
  2. Adaptation - Important that people are provided with necessities to secure the future of human existence eg economy needs to keep up to date
  3. Social integration - sense of belonging eg we all work towards the same goals
  4. Society has latent needs (things required for stability) so people need to have an outlet to minimise stress

Question 4

Evaluation of GAIL

Answer 4

• Many people are of no faith but still feel a sense of belonging in society
• NF aren’t the only families who can perform socialisation

Question 5

Value consensus

Answer 5

• A collection of shared norms and values which are accepted and agreed upon
• Norms (Expected codes of behaviour)
• Values (core beliefs which all members of society see as important)
• Without a value consensus, society would deteriorate into a state of anomie (people not clear on how to behave)
• Individuals who breech value consensus are referred to as deviant

Question 6

Evaluation of value consensus

Answer 6

• Marxism argues that society is based on class conflict

- Feminists argue that society is based on gender conflict

Question 7

Social integration

Answer 7

• Parsons
• In order to achieve value consensus, people need to accept it, there are 2 ways :
  1. Through primary and secondary socialisation (people learn about their culture, norms, values etc and accept these as correct through institutions)
  2. Through social control (people are encouraged to accept the way things are with positive and negative sanctions as well as formal and informal methods of social control)

Question 8

Evaluation of social integration

Answer 8

• social action theorists argue this is overly deterministic
• Post modernists regard this as outdated as we will in a fragmented society
• Feminists reject the view that everyone feels like a valued citizen as men have more rights