functionalism Flashcards

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1
Q

key themes of functionalism

A

structural approach
organic analogy
changing cultures

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2
Q

why does functionalism use structural approach

A

Durkheim - all societies characterised by social order - value consensus

Parsons - two mechanisms that enable individuals to conform - socialisation and social control

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3
Q

what does socialisation do according to parsons

A

ensures the needs of the system are met

teaches system’s norms and values

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4
Q

what does social control do according to parsons

A

ensure social order and a commitment to the value consensus

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5
Q

evaluation of structural approach

A

interactionists - society not governed by structure - we actively attach meanings to situations which can constantly change - passively consuming values but actively constructing

marxists - structure based on class conflict

radical feminism - society based on patriarchal values

postmodernists - not structural - society moved on - fragmented and have own values

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6
Q

what is the organic analogy

A

society works in similar way to human body

functional pre-requisites in order to function

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7
Q

views on family

A

parsons - nuclear family is most effective structure to socialise children carefully

new right - absent fatherism - lack of socialisation for son - leads to compensatory masculinity

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8
Q

organic analogy limitations

A

marxists - disagree as argue that institutions are passing down capitalist values to society to maintain dominance

feminists - disagree that we are consenting to a set of values that benefit each member of society
radical - society structured on a set of patriarchal values that are systematically passed through the agents

interactionists - society should not be understood by structual approach

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9
Q

personality factory

A

parsons - child is a blank slate and function of parents is to train and mould child - value consensus

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10
Q

views of family strengths

A

the new right - however highlight impact of breakdown of nuclear family and negative impact this can have on primary socialisation

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11
Q

view of family limitation

A

marxists - zaretsky - family contains capital ideology whereby working class socialised into accepting values of the ruling class

radical feminists - primary socialisation starting point whereby patriarchal gender identities taugh

liberal - ann oakley - disagrees with views of parsons as does not accept natural division of labour based on sex

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12
Q

role of education system

A

durkheim - transmit shared culture values - conformity and consensus eg history and religious studies - society past and present - sense of belonging and social solidarity

parsons - bridge between home and society - particularistic values and. universalistic values

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13
Q

views on education strengths

A

new right agree it should be to socialise individuals into set of shared cultural norms

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14
Q

views on education limistations

A

marxists - althusser - role is to pass down dominant ideology which socialises working class into accepting social inequalities are natural

interactionist dennis wrong - socialisation through the education system is not passive - negotiated process

radical - socialisation reinforces patriarchal oppression eg hidden curriculum and uniform

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15
Q

role of religion

A

benefits whole of society - sets moral values that are part of collective consciousness

socialises individuals into a value consensus

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16
Q

role of religion limitations

A

marxists - religion passes down 3 false ideas

feminists - moral codes dont benefit all members of society - religion contains patriarchal values which are found in the hierarchical structure of religion

17
Q

culture in pre-industrial societies

A

durkheim
socialise individuals into shared values to meet functional prerequisites

cultural conformity more important than individual identity

mechanical solidarity - very similar status

18
Q

culture in modern societies

A

more complex due to industrialisation and urbanisation

durkheim - social order maintained through socialisation of cultural values and goals eg high value on competition

organic solidarity - depend on other people

19
Q

limitations of culture in societies

A

feminists - society is not based on a value consensus but patriarchal set of values systematically benefitting men

marxists - society organised based on conflict between ruling and working class and not value consensus