functionalism

Question 1

what is a consensus structural approach?

Answer 1

believes the institutions of society work together to maintain social cohesion and stability

Question 2

how does Durkheim say society shapes the individual?

Answer 2

-institutions influence
-individuals behaviour

Question 3

what is an anomie?

Answer 3

-normallessness caused by a lack of socialisation processes that teach norms and values

Question 4

what are social facts?

Answer 4

-things like institutions, norms and values which exist external to individuals and constrain the individual

Question 5

what are the three ways that society mirrors the human body?

Answer 5

-system (of inter-connected parts which function for the good of the whole)
-system needs (needs to be met, social institutions)
-functions (organs function for the good of the whole, so do social institutions)

Question 6

what are the four basic needs of society?

Answer 6

-goal attainment (political function)
-adaptation (economic function)
-integration (social harmony)
-latency (unstated consequences of actions)

Question 7

what are the 2 ways that society maintains the value consensus and social order?

Answer 7

-formal social control (eg police)
-informal social control (eg family or peers)

Question 8

what are merton’s three criticisms of parsons?

Answer 8

-indispensability (not all institutions are functionally indispensable, there are functional alternatives, eg family isn’t the only form of primary socialisation)
-functional unity (not all social institutions are tightly linked eg banking and education)
-universal functionalism (not all institutions have positive functions eg DV in the family)

Question 9

what are the logical criticisms of functionalism

Answer 9

-contradictory - how can something be both functional and dysfunctional
-teleological (a thing only exists for its function/effects)
-unscientific

Question 10

what are conflict theory criticisms of functionalism?

Answer 10

-unable to explain conflict in society
-conservative ideology that tries to maintain status quo
-legitimises the position of the powerful

Question 11

what are action theory criticisms of functionalism?

Answer 11

-wrong 1961 - deterministic
-reifies society, treating it as a ‘thing’

Question 12

what are postmodern criticisms of functionalism?

Answer 12

-unable to explain diversity and instability
-outdated (is a meta-narrative)