Functionalism Flashcards
What is functionalism?
- Functionalism is a consensus theory (agreements) - explores it on a macro-scale.
- It explains social institutions as in terms of the functions they perform for society.
- These institutions include: education, families, religion, government + policy, and the criminal justice system.
- It believes in shared public values. Eg, protests, voting, NHS welfare systems.
- It believes in social order of rules, norms and values.
- It compares society to the human body. Eg, the organs are the functions of society. This is called ‘organic analogy’.
What are the criticisms of functionalism?
In terms of:
- religion = may cause conflict (within or between religions) - this is dysfunctional.
- education = ignores the negative sides. Eg, bullying.
- family = focuses too much on positives and ignores the conflicts.
- government = not all of society may follow their rules and their enforced norms.
Extras:
1) It ignores gender inequality (feminism).
2) It ignores class inequality.
3) It looks at society through ‘rose tinted’ glasses. This means functionalists only view the positives in society/the world.
What is a strength of functionalism?
It compares social institutions to the human body - this is called organic analogy.
How does the social institution ’government’ benefit society?
The social institution ‘government’ benefits society by enforcing laws and poliicies, keeping regulation, introducing Bills and Acts, by providing formal social control.
How does the social institution ’education’ benefit society?
The social institution ‘education’ benefits society by offering pupil premium, it teaches secondary education, provides welfare for pupils and provides safety for pupils.
How does the social institution ’family’ benefit society?
The social institution ‘family’ benefits society by teaching primary socialisation, providing financial support, by providing informal social control.
How does the social institution ’religion’ benefit society?
The social institution ‘religion’ benefits society by providing social solidarity, being part of a community, providing strict and work ethos, by influencing our behaviours.
What are Marxists view on Functionalism?
Marxists would argue that functionalists ignore the inequalities in power in society. They believe functionalism is biased and ideological. They say functionalists look at the work through ‘rose tinted glasses’ meaning they view the world/society only through the positives and ignore the negatives.
