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Sociological theory > Functionalism > Flashcards

Functionalism Flashcards

1
Q

G. P. Murdock (1949) - definition of the family

A

is a social group characterised by common residence, economic cooperation and reproduction

it includes adults of both sexes, at least two of whom maintain a socially approved sexual relationship and one or more children, own or adopted, of the sexually cohabiting adults

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2
Q

how many societies did Murdock analyse and what were his findings of this

A

250

the family is universal

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3
Q

Murdocks 4 vital functions of the family

A

Sexual
Reproduction
Socialisation
Economic

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4
Q

4 vf - sexual

A

adults have their sexual needs met in a stable relationship

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5
Q

4 vf - reproduction

A

the family creates the next generation of society

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6
Q

4 vf - socialisation

A

the family carries out primary socialisation which means teaching the norms and values

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7
Q

4 vf - economic

A

all members are [provided for (e.g. housing)

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8
Q

benefit of the ‘sexual’ function to the individual

A

prevents adultery

healthy relationship

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9
Q

benefit of the ‘sexual’ function to society

A

prevents STD epidemics

prevents illegitimate children

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10
Q

benefit of the ‘reproduction’ function to the individual

A

continue lineage

purpose

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11
Q

benefit of the ‘reproduction’ function to society

A

creates the next generation of society

prevents population decrease

prevents ageing population

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12
Q

benefit of the ‘socialisation’ function to the individual

A

better jobs

fit in

more intelligent

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13
Q

benefit of the ‘socialisation’ function to society

A

value consensus

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14
Q

benefit of the ‘economic’ function to the individual

A

people save money through cohabitation

basic needs are met

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15
Q

benefit of the ‘economic’ function to society

A

less money spent on welfare by the state

e.g. child benefits unemployment benefits

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16
Q

criticisms of Murdock

A

his definition of the family excludes different types of family

doesn’t consider alternatives to the family that may be able to carry out these functions (e.g. communes such as Kibbutz in Israel)

Ignores dysfunctions of the family

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17
Q

Talcott Parsons - sample

A

focused on the nuclear family in modern industrial society

research in america

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18
Q

what does Talcott Parsons argue about the family

A

the family has become increasingly specialised

pre-industrial times - we lived in extended family
- this family was responsible for looking after elderly relatives and educating children

modern industrial societies - families have become increasingly isolated and nuclear

traditional functions have been taken over by specialised institutions such as Social Services and Schools

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19
Q

nuclear family

A

family of two generations (parents and children) related by blood or marriage that live together

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20
Q

What are the 2 reasons that Talcott Parsons believed the change in family type has occurred because of

A

A geographically mobile workforce

A socially mobile workforce

21
Q

geographically mobile workforce

A

easier for the compact nuclear family to move where the work is, in industrial society

22
Q

socially mobile workforce

A

status now achieved through effort and not ascribed status at birth

if generations of different social classes were living together, this would cause conflict - hence it is better for individuals to live in a nuclear family

23
Q

what has happened to functions of the family as society has become industrialised

A

traditional functions have been taken over by specialised institutions such as social services and schools

24
Q

Talcott Parsons’ 2 irreductible functions of the family

A

Primary Socialisation

Stabilisation of adult personalities (warm bath theory)

25
Q

Primary socialisation

A

first and most important part of the socialisation process

where individuals learn the shared norms and values of society

without this there would be no consensus and no social order

26
Q

The stabilisation of adult personalities

A

unstable personalities threaten social order

in the family adults can de-stress from all the tensions of daily life

the woman provides emotional support for the husband

children give the man opportunity to relax and be ‘playful’

27
Q

criticisms of Parsons

A

idealises the family and ignores its’ dysfunctions

ethnocentric study - based on american middle class families - doesn’t recognise diversity of families in today’s societies - unrepresentative

28
Q

parsons’ basic arguement

A

‘functional fit’ theory

the family adapts to meet the needs of the society it is in

29
Q

ascribed status

A

status in which someone is born into or given at birth

30
Q

role allocation

A

assigning people to roles based on their talents and abilities

education systems should perform this task initially

30
Q

achieved status

A

status which someone’s actions have achieved and does not depend on their relations

31
Q

meritocracy

A

positions or rewards gained by individuals’ own hard work and talent

32
Q

equality of opportunity

A

everyone has the same chances to compete for rewards in society: there is a ‘level playing field’ so the outcomes reflect hard work and application of talent

33
Q

what type of theory is functionalism

A

consensus

34
Q

which theorist put forward the organic analogy

A

Emile Durkheim

35
Q

the organic analogy

A

every part of the body has a function and they all link together in one big system to keep the body alive

this is the same for society

36
Q

define function

A

a job that an activity or institution does for wider social structures, and in particular its contribution to the maintenance and continuation of social arrangements

37
Q

what two things did Durkheim identify that societies needed to have

A

value consensus

social solidarity

38
Q

social solidarity

A
39
Q

value consensus

A
40
Q

what 2 things maintain social order

A

socialisation
social control and the operation of sanctions within society

41
Q

socialisation

A

the process of passing on norms and values

42
Q

what did Durkheim suggest about crime

A

reaffirms our collective conscience as society will unite to condemn criminals that go against our values

crime is an essential part of healthy society as some deviance is necessary in order to stop society from becoming stagnant

deviance becomes acceptable which leads society t adapt and change to new norms and values

43
Q

How did Durkheim adopt a scientific approach to his research

A

used the comparative method to establish a cause and effect relationship between social facts and rates of suicide

this was ground-breaking in the field of sociology although it was later challenged

44
Q

Fletcher (190’s)

A

Family is still a ‘multi-functional unit’
other institutions compliment the family, not replace it
the state supports families to help them fulfill their essential functions

45
Q

What was the name of Wilmott & Young’s theory?

A

The Symmetrical Family

46
Q

what research did W&Y use?

A

historical research

social surveys

47
Q

W&Y - what were the 3 stages which caused the Symmetrical Family to emerge

A

1 - The pre-industrial family
- unit of production

2 - the early industrial family
- individuals employed as wage earners outside the family, family ceased to be a unit of production

3 - The Symmetrical Family

Sociological theory (4 decks)

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