Functionalism

Question 1

what if functionalism interested in

Answer 1

Functionalism is interested in how social order is possible or how society remains stable and it focuses on the macro level of society

Question 2

key theorists for functionalism

Answer 2

Parsons
Merton

Question 3

what is used to describe society based on a consensus

Answer 3

Organic Analogy

Question 4

what is the organic analogy

Answer 4

Functionalists use this to describe society based on a consensus. Parsons argues that society is like a human body

Question 5

component of the organic analogy

Answer 5

System - Self-regulating systems of interconnected parts that fit together
System needs - Functionalists see the social system as having basic needs that must be met if its to survive
Functions - Each organ contributes to the running and operation of the whole

Question 6

how is social order achieved

Answer 6

Parsons argues that social order is achieved through the existence of shared culture or in his words ‘a central value system’. The value consensus provides a framework that allows individuals to cooperate by laying down rules about how they should behave. Social order is only possible as long as members of society agree on these norms and values, the value consensus is the glue that holds society together.

Question 7

how does the value consensus make social order possible

Answer 7

It does this by integrating individuals into the social system and directing them towards meeting the system’s needs. For parsons, the system has two ways of ensuring that individuals conform to shared norms and meet the system’s needs.

Question 8

what two ways does the system ensure that individuals conform to shared norms

Answer 8

Socialisation - The social system can ensure that its needs are met by teaching individuals to want to do what it required them to do. Individuals internalise the system’s norms and values through socialisation
Social Control - positive sanctions reward conformity while negative ones punish deviance

Question 9

what are functional prerequisites

Answer 9

prerequisites that every society should satisfy to ensure social stability

Question 10

what are the different functional prerequisites

Answer 10

1. Adaptation - the societies must meet its member’s material needs - economic factors
2. Goal attainment - political function - societies must set goals and achieve them
3. Integration - social harmony - institutions must create a value consensus
4. Latency - procesess that maintaian society over time. Pattern maintenance - young are socialised into a set of value. Tension managment - institutions which prevent disorder.

Question 11

how does society change according to functionalists?

Answer 11

For functionalists, society changes gradually over time. The organic analogy is relevant here, just like the human, societies change mutate and evolve. Parsons argues that two types of societies exist: Traditional - simple societies with religion and family as the main institutions.
Modern - complex societies with multiple institutions addressing specific functions e.g. schools, hospitals and government.

Question 12

features of traditional society

Answer 12

Status ascribed at birth, diffuse relationships - simply relationships to satisfy general needs, particularism - certain groups get special treatments, Affectivity - people want to achieve their needs immediately, collective orientation - the needs of your village are more important than yours

Question 13

features of traditional society

Answer 13

Status achieved through work - contractural relations, universalism - everyone is treated the same. Affective neutrality - people postpone personal needs. Individualism - people put their own needs before others.

Question 14

internal critique of Functionalism

Answer 14

Merton disagrees with Parsons and he argues that we cannot assume that society is well-integrated and always runs smoothly.

Question 15

what does Merton criticise parsons on

Answer 15

Indispensability
Functional Unity
Universal Functionalism

Question 16

indispensability

Answer 16

Parsons assumes that everything in society is functionally indispensable in its existing form. Merton argues that this is just an untested assumption and he argues that there are functional alternatives. For example, he argues that there are functional alternatives. For example, parsons assumes that primary socialisation is best performed by the nuclear family but one parent families can do the same or better

Question 17

functional unity

Answer 17

Parsons assumes that all parts of society are tightly integrated into a single whole or unity and that each part is functional for all the rest. He also assumes that change in one part will have a knock-on effect on all the parts. However, complex modern society has many parts some of which may only be distantly related to one another. Instead of functional unity, some parts may have functional autonomy from others. It is hard to see the connections between the structure of banking and the rules of netball

Question 18

Universal Functionalism

Answer 18

Parsons assumes that everything in society performs a positive function for society as a whole, yet some things may be functional for some groups and dysfunctional for others. The idea that dysfunction have positive functions

Question 19

what else did Merton want to develop

Answer 19

Merton wanted to develop functionalism to focus on institutional and human functions
Manifest Functions
Latent Functions
Manifest Dysfunctions
Latent Dysfunctions

Question 20

manifest functions

Answer 20

The things people expect from their institutions or actions. E.g by conducting a rain dance, the Hopi- Native American tribe expects it to train

Question 21

manifest dysfunctions

Answer 21

things that will knowingly cause disorder

Question 22

latent functions

Answer 22

Unrecognised or united consequences of an institution or action. E.g conducting a rain dance does not produce rain but it does build social solidary and value consensus amongst individuals.

Question 23

latent dysfunctions

Answer 23

unintended disruptions

Question 24

logical criticisms

Answer 24

According to pooper, functionalism is unscientific as it is not falsifiable by testing. Functionalists see both dysfunction and function, meaning a thing can be both and serve a positive function, it cannot be proven wrong.

Question 25

Marxist criticism

Answer 25

They criticise functionalism for ignoring conflict in society. The organise analogy assumed society is in harmony but instead based on exploitation and conflict between the poles and boug. Stability is simply a way to keep the boug in power
Functionalism is a capitalist ideology which legitimises the status quo, it tells you society has a natural order and is harmonious to hide the true conflict in society, this allows the boug to maintain their dominance

Question 26

interactionism

Answer 26

According to Wong, functionalism is deterministic, it assumed individuals have no free will or choice, they are mere puppets whose strings are pulled by the social system and will just slow into the system

Question 27

post modernism

Answer 27

functionalists assume society has order and structure but it does not, society and people are chaotic and unpredictable. Functionalism is a meta-narrative - it presents a story it claims to be the truth to create order but society is fragmented and disordered

Question 28

Essay plan

Answer 28

1. Society as a system -
   Organic Analogy
   -system
   -system needs
   - functions
2. How order is achieved in society
   Value consensus
   -integration of individuals
3. How to achieve people’s needs in society
4. How society changes
5. Merton