Functionalism Flashcards
Who created the key ideas of functionalism?
Emilie Durkheim
Who developed functionalism?
Talcott parsons
What type of theory is functionalism?
A macro, structural theory
What does functionalism focus on?
The needs o the social system as a whole and how these needs shape all the main features of society
What was the enlightenment project?
The idea that society can progress through human reason, science and rationality enable us to discover cause and effect patterns in our society and using those we can improve society
What type of theory is functionalism?what goals does it share?
Modernist theory
Shares the goals of the enlightenment project
What is parsons organic analogy?what are the 3 similarities between society and a biological organism?
Society is like a biological organism
- system
-systems needs
-functions
What is the system according to parsons organic analogy?
Organisms eg human body and society are made up of interconnected parts that fit together in fixed ways
In the body these parts are organs, in society these parts are institutions eg the education system, the family and individual roles eg teache, mother
What are the system needs according to parsons organic analogy?
Organisms have needs eg nutrition and if these are not met these organisms die
The social system has basic needs that must be met to survive eg members must be socialised
What are functions according to parsons organic analogy?
The function of any part of a system is the contribution that it makes to meeting a systems needs and ensuring its survival
The circulatory system of the body carries nutrients and oxygen to the tissues, similarly the economy helps maintain the social system by meeting the need for food and shelter
How is social order achieved?
Through the existence of a shared culture or a central value system
What is a culture?
A shared set of norms,values, beliefs and goals
How is social order possible?
As long as members of society agree on shared norms and values (value consensus)
What are the 2 mechanisms for ensuring that individuals conform to shared norms and meet the systems needs?
-socialisation
-social control
What is socialisation? How is it achieved?
-socialisation teaches individuals to want to do what it needs require them to do
-socialisation forces people to internalise the systems norms and values so that society becomes part of their personality structure
-the family, education system, media and religion contribute to this process
