functionalism Flashcards
what is functionalism
the view that society is a complex system with many individual parts work together to maintain social stability
the organic analogy
the metaphor comparing society to the human body
who was the “father of functionalism”
emile durkheim
what is anomie
normlessness, lawlessness, anarchy
what view does functionalism take
consensus, based on agreement of norms and values
what kind of theory is functionalism? (macro/micro)
macro
collective conscience
shared ideas about what is right or wrong
social solidarity
a sense of being part of a wider society
structural differentiation
the process through which social change occurs, involving the loss of functions of institutions and the increasingly specialized functions of a winder range of institutions
instrumental role
the idea that men take the bread winning role and are financially responsible for the family
expressive role
the idea that women are the caregiver and stays home with the children
who developed the organic analogy
talcott parsons
positive evaluations of functionalism
- recognizes the nature of society and links between society
- explains the purpose of institutions to ensure social stability
critiques of functionalism
- fails to account for social conflict
- marxists critique its over emphasis on the harmonious society
- feminists argue that they ignore women’s oppression
