functionalism Flashcards
functionalism
structural theory - institutions control individuals
macro-top-down approach
social facts - occurring naturally rather than social processes (objective)
consensus - agreement on norms and values through socialisation creates social solidarity/ cohesion
primary (family) and secondary (education) socialisation
enlightenment project - attempt to improve society
Durkheim
social cohesion (collective conscience) and value consensus needed for harmonious society through socialisation - anomie created when not achieved
social order achieved through value system - shared culture norms and values allow cooperation
social order only possible if people agree on values (value consensus)
Parson - organic analogy
society (institutions) are like biological organism
all institutions work together to form harmonious society - when one institution breaks down, the rest of society cannot function properly
system - institutions (e.g., school)
system needs (adequate socialisation)
functions (economy helps maintain social system)
Parsons - functional pre-requisites
society has basic needs (functional pre-requisites) that society has to meet to function adequately
goal attainment (politics) - shared goals and values, people committed to same goals, uniting population
adaptation (economy) allowing society to keep evolving, preventing society from becoming stagnant
integration (religion) - bringing people together in shared values to create harmony
latency (family) - ensure socialisation takes place
Evaluation
doesn’t look into conflict
things exist because of their function - real explanation should identify cause
interactionists (individuals create society)
postmodernism - todays society is fragmented no meta-narrative can explain society today
