Functionalism

Question 1

Social phenomena

Answer 1

All social phenomena has a positive function for society
EG Crime = boundary maintenance

Question 2

Structural Theory

Answer 2

Focus on how institutions in society affect the individual
The individual is a product of society

Question 3

Consensus theory

Answer 3

Society is based on shared values and a collective conscience.

Question 4

Durkheim - Social Facts

Answer 4

Society exists as a separate entity above individuals as a system of social facts.

Social facts = institutions, norms, values that exists to constrain the individual.

Question 5

Parsons - what is society based on

Answer 5

value and order

Question 6

Parsons - What does society need individuals to be?

Answer 6

Integrated.
Achieved through Socialisation and social control

Question 7

What are functional Prerequisites?

Answer 7

Basic needs required to survive (above the poverty line)

Question 8

What did Parsons argue are the 4 Functional prerequisites of society?

Answer 8

Adaptation
Goal Attainment
Integration
Latency

Question 9

Adaptation - Functional Prerequisite
(Parsons)

Answer 9

A society needs to adapt to its environment to have food and shelter etc.
It must also have a functioning economy
(Link to functional fit theory)

Question 10

Goal Attainment - Functional Prerequisite
(Parsons)

Answer 10

All societies need to provide a collective goal for all members to work towards. This requires the appropriate resources, laws and other institutional mechanisms for these goals to be met.

EG New Labour gov set goal of 50% of schl leavers to attend uni

Question 11

Integration - Functional Prerequisite
(Parsons)

Answer 11

Individuals must be socialised into the value consensus in order to keep society functioning.

Society must have a legal system to mediate conflict and prevent society from breaking down - Individuals must be socialised into agreeing with these laws

Active social cohesion

Question 12

Latency - Functional Prerequisite
(Parsons)

Answer 12

Pattern maintenance - Keep society progressing as it is.

Socialise the young into shared norms and values

Question 13

Parsons - Social Change

Answer 13

Social change is gradual and progressive.
Over time society moves from simple to more complex larger structures

Question 14

Parsons - Organic Analogy

Answer 14

Institutions in society are like organs in the human body:
Each perform a specific function for maintaining society

They are interdependent - if one is failing at their function then society fails to function as a whole

Question 15

Eval - Merton’s internal critique

Answer 15

Functions are more complex - there are latent and manifest functions
Manifest functions = the intended outcome of social phenomena (EG the healthcare system’s aim is to save lives)
Latent function = the unintended outcome of social phenomena (EG Latent function of healthcare system is an increased population)

Question 16

Eval - Functionalism is teleological

Answer 16

It explains society and its phenomena in terms of its effect and what they do rather than their cause and why they are present in society

Question 17

Eval - Conflict perspectives

Answer 17

Marxists & Feminists
Functionalists ignore power imbalance and exploitation

Question 18

Eval - deterministic

Answer 18

ignores that people have free will and are not just passive puppets that society can control

EG London riots and teacher strikes

Question 19

Eval - Postmodernist

Answer 19

Society is not as stable, orderly and predictable as functionalists suggest.
Beck = we live in a risk society

Question 20

Eval - Functionalism is ideological

Answer 20

Functionalism is a conservative theory that emphasises the importance of the nuclear family, religion and performing well in education.

It regards all other family units and successes as dysfunctional - not the case EG Zendaya had divorced parents and has been incredibly successful in the media industry.