FUNCTIONALISM

Question 1

What is Functionalism briefly?

Answer 1

a macro and structural theory that focuses on the needs of the social system as a whole and how these needs shape all the main features of society. it is also a consensus theory, seeing society as based on agreement among members about values, goals, and rules.

Question 2

What is Parson’s Organic Analogy (1970)?

Answer 2

three similarities between society and biological organisms
- system: human bodies and societies are both self regulating systems of inter related and interdependent parts that fit together. eg. organs, cells, education system, family..
- system needs: organisms have need such as nutrition and if not met the organism will die. similarly societies have needs such as socialisation of members.
- functions: any part of a system contributes to the system’s needs as a whole eg. circulatory system and the economy

Question 3

How is Social Order achieved according to Parsons?

Answer 3

through values consensus: the existence of shared norms, values, beliefs, and goals between the members of the society. which lays down rules about how people should behave

Question 4

How does Value Consensus create Social Order?

Answer 4

• socialisation: the process that causes people to internalise the system’s norms and values and teaches them what the system requires them to do. takes place through agencies such as the family, education, media, religion..
• social control: positive sanctions are rewarded whereas negative sanctions are punished. eg. educational success and dropping out

when individuals are integrated through socialisation and social control, they become inclined towards pursuing the shared norms and values which makes social order possible.

Question 5

What are the needs of the Social System?

Answer 5

1. Adaptation - material needs of members are met by the economic sub system
2. Goal Attainment - society needs to set goals and allocate resources to achieve them. this is the function of the political sub system, through institutions such as parliament
3. Integration - different parts of the system are integrated together to pursue shared goals. this is the role of the sub system of religion, education, and media
4. Latency - processes that maintain society over time

Question 6

What are the two types of societies according to Parsons?

Answer 6

• traditional society expects people to prioritise collective interest. status is ascribed first, and judged by particularistic standards.
• modern society individuals pursue self interest to achieve status, and are judged by the same universal standards.

Question 7

How does Social Change from one to another take place?

Answer 7

• change is gradual and an evolutionary process of increasing complexity and structural differentiation.
• similar to organisms, societies move from simple to complex structures
• some institutions lose their functions as functionally specialised institutions develop.

Question 8

What is Merton’s Internal Critique of Functionalism?

Answer 8

1. Indispensability
2. Functional Unity
3. Universal Functionalism

Question 9

What is Indispensability?

Answer 9

Parson’s assumption of every institution being functionally indispensable is challenged by the argument that certain institutions can be replaced and aren’t essential for the survival of society.

Question 10

What is Functional Unity?

Answer 10

Parson’s assumption of all part of society being tightly integrated into a single whole and are all functional to each other is challenged as in complex modern societies some parts may have functional autonomy (independence) from other parts

Question 11

What is Universal Functionalism?

Answer 11

Parson’s assumption of everything in society performs a positive function is challenged as some parts may be functional for some societies but dysfunctional for other.
Merton’s central point is that we can’t simply assume that society always functions smoothly.

Question 12

What are External Criticisms of Functionalism?

Answer 12

1. Logical Perspective
2. Conflict Perspective
3. Action Perspective
4. Postmodernist Perspective

Question 13

What is the Logical perspective?

Answer 13

functionalism is teleological (things exist because of their effect or function) . however a real explanation identifies cause which comes before effect.

Question 14

What is the Conflict perspective?

Answer 14

unable to explain conflict and change due to the organic analogy. society is not harmonious but rather based on exploitation and divisions. stability is the result of the dominant class’ ability to prevent change by using force and ideological control.

Question 15

What is the Action perspective?

Answer 15

over socialised and deterministic view of individuals who have no free will and are muppets who are controlled by the social system. however individuals create society by their own interactions

Question 16

What is the Postmodernist perspective?

Answer 16

assumes society is stable and in order however in modern society there’s diversity and instability.