Functionalism

Question 1

Value consensus - Parsons

Answer 1

• Functionalists are concerned with how social order is created.
• Parsons says that social order is only possible if we have a value consensus (agreeing on shared norms, values, beliefs and goals)

Question 2

How we learn them - Parsons

Answer 2

• Socialisation - we are taught norms and values by our parents, etc…
• Social control - we get punished if we deviate from norms and values.
• For example, at school we are taught universalistic standards (Parsons) and are taught social solidarity (Durkheim)

Question 3

AGIL - Parsons

Answer 3

• Adaptation - every society has a way of meeting economic needs.
• Goal attainment - setting shared goals and allocating resources to achieve those goals.
• Integration - integrating different parts of the system to work together (this is the function of religion, media and education)
• Latency - maintaining norms and values overtime. Family performs this role, these are passed down.

Question 4

Merton’s internal critique

Answer 4

• Says that Parsons makes assumptions that everything is functional for everyone equally all the time.
• Solution - to recognise there’s different types of functions.
• Manifest & latent

Question 5

Merton on manifest and latent functions

Answer 5

• Manifest - intended (obvious) function. E.g. ‘Hopi Indians’, they perform a rain dance.
• Latent - unintended (hidden) function. E.g. ‘Hopi Indians’ to create social solidarity.

Question 6

External criticisms - postmodernists, marxists and feminists

Answer 6

• Postmodernists say that functionalists assume society is stable and orderly. However, functionalists fail to explain that society today is diverse and unstable. Mestrovic functionalism today is no longer relevant, society is fragmented.
• Marxists - there is no value consensus in society, the ruling make it look like we do.
• Feminists - nuclear family oppresses women and benefits men.