FUNCTIONALISM Flashcards
1
Q
Parsons (1970)
A
- Similarities between society and a biological organism
- System: Both relating systems with interdependent parts.
-
Needs: Both have need to survive.
Functions: Function of any part is its contribution to survival.
2
Q
Value Consensus and Social Order
A
- Parsons dictates social order as being achieved through a shared culture which is a set of norms, values, beliefs and goals.
- Allows individuals to cooperate as long as members agree, which is called a value consensus.
3
Q
Integration of Individuals - Parsons
A
Socialisation and social control
4
Q
The social system model
A
- Individual actions governed by rules or norms.
- Norms come in cultures known as status-roles.
- Clusters of status-roles form institutions.
- Related institutions make up a sub-system.
- Subsystems together make up a social system.
5
Q
The Systems Needs
A
- Adaption: Meeting members material needs through the economic subsystem.
- Goal Attainment: The political subsystem sets goals and resources to achieve them.
- Integration: Subsystems are integrated together to pursue shared goals e.g. The media, education and religion.
- Latency: The processes that maintain society overtime.
6
Q
Two types of society
A
Modern and traditional
7
Q
Structural Differentiation
A
- A gradual process in which separate, functionally specialised institutions develop, each meeting a different need.
8
Q
Mertons internal critique of functionalism
A
- Indispensability: Parsons ignores the fact that there may be functional alternatives e.g. One parent families and socialisation.
- Functional Unity: ignores the fact that some institutions have functional autonomy.
- Universal Functionalism: ignores the idea that some things may be functional for so,e but dysfunctional for others.
9
Q
Manifest Function
A
The recognised and intended consequences
10
Q
Latent Function
A
The unintended results
11
Q
Logical criticisms of functionalism
A
Unscientific because it cannot be falsified.
Teleological, assumes things exist because of the function.
12
Q
Conflict criticisms of functionalism
A
- Doesn’t explain conflict and change. Legitimises the status quo by emphasise harmony and justifying social order.
13
Q
Action Perspectives Criticisms
A
- Wrong- Functionalists describe individuals as mere puppets in society whereas action theorists describe individuals as constructing society.
- Argue society has its own needs whereas action theorists argued society only exists through the construction of individuals.
14
Q
Postmodernism Criticisms
A
- Functionalists assume that society is stable and ignores the diversity.
- It’s also a meta-narrative.
