functionalism Flashcards
intro
Functionalism is a macro, structural theory as shown in the item. It adds to ‘our understanding of society’ by explaining how order is maintained through consensus; Functionalists argue that society is based on a general agreement about the values, goals and rules required to maintain social stability.
However, such a claim is rejected by Marxists who say Functionalism is a conservative ideology that gives approval to the status quo of capitalist society.
parsons
Parsons uses the concept of organic analogy to show how the needs of society are met. He said society is similar to a human body in that each part of the human body is linked, in some way, to all other parts for it to work successfully and this is also the case for society.
Parsons said society consists of a number of interdependent parts; these parts are
social institutions such as the family, education and religion. Just as parts of the body work to ensure its survival, so do the institutions of society work to ensure the survival of social system, for example the
family socialises new members of society to follow agreed norms and values and this is a ‘good thing for society’.
Durkheim
Durkheim emphasised how social order is based upon and maintained by a value consensus. He said there is a general agreement about the values which come from a shared culture and which
provide a framework for how people should live their lives. He said social order exists because people agree on the norms and values of society and on the
realisation that the will of the individual is secondary to the needs of society as a
whole.
Durkheim said when individuals believe they belong in society this creates social solidarity as people are bound together by their collective conscience, the
collective will of people living in a society.
marxists a03
However, Marxists criticise Functionalists for their inability to explain conflict and change. Functionalists say that society is stable as all its parts work together to create social cohesion. Marxists say that in reality society is not like this; it is in a permanent state of conflict as it is based on class exploitation. Any stability that appears to exist in society is as a result of ruling class coercion or the false consciousness of the working class.
parsons 2
Nevertheless, Parsons says in the process of socialisation individuals learn the norms and values of society and what is expected of them in terms of their role in society. He likens the family to a factory, in terms of producing members of society who are equipped with the social skills to adhere to the expectations of society.
This socialisation is reinforced by agents of social control, such as school and the police, who work to make people conform to norms and values of society. Those who conform and achieve in terms of society’s values are rewarded whilst those who deviate by refusing to accept norms and values are punished.
merton a03
Merton criticises Parsons for basing his theory on too many assumptions. For example, Parsons assumes that everything in society performs a positive function for the continuation of society. This ignores those aspects of society that are dysfunctional such as the negative effects of religious inspired terrorist acts in society.
conc
In conclusion, although Functionalists show how agents of socialisation shape behaviour, Interactionists say functionalism is too deterministic as they seem to suggest that the individual has no free will as they are socialised into their role to meet the needs of society. Interactionists say that functionalists see individuals as mere puppets, whose strings are pulled by the social system. In contrast to this, the Interactionists say that individuals create their own society by their interactions with others.
