Functionalism

Question 1

Functionalism(theory)

Answer 1

-Macro,structural theory
-Focuses on the needs of the social system as a whole,society shapes individuals
-Society based on consensus/agreement among its members about values

Question 2

Society as a system-society described by organic analogy
-Parson identifies 3 similarities between society and a biological organism

Answer 2

-System:society is self-regulating system of interdependent parts that fit together(institutions-family,school,mother,education etc)

-System needs:things that the system needs to function properly(ie)members must be socialised for society to continue

-Functions:the contribution that institutions make to the system(ie)economy maintains social system by meeting need for food & shelter

Question 3

Core functionalist values

Answer 3

their views is the need to create social order and social solidarity

Question 4

Values consensus-created by value and norms- and social order

Answer 4

-Parson:social order is achieved through the existence of shared culture

-This only works by providing a framework to individuals to cooperate with the rules that are lay down about how they should behave and what is expected of them

Question 5

-How is social order possible?

Answer 5

-Through Social solidarity: a shared culture which provides framework for individuals in terms of behaviour.

-We need value consensus in order to glue society together and make social order possible

-Social order only possibly if all member of society agree on the norms and values=CALLED AGREEMENT CONSESUS

Question 6

Parson:The system has TWO FUNCTIONS to ensure individuals conform to shared values and meet the systems needs
-through integrating individuals into the social system by making them meet the system needs

Answer 6

-Individuals integrated through:

-Socialisation:social systems met by individuals being taught what the system requires them to do-individuals internalize the norms & values so society becomes part of their personality structure

-Social control: either sanctioned for incorrect behaviour/rewarded for correct behaviour.This helps maintain control and order in society

-These make’s individuals behaviour predictable & stable allowing cooperation while also serving the needs of society

A02:Education provides secondary socialization thus integrating individuals into society giving them a sense of belonging and identity

Question 7

A03 of the system has TWO FUNCTIONS to ensure individuals conform to shared values and meet the systems needs

Answer 7

Postmodernist:would argue that these functions are harder to perform-there’s more freedom & diversity
-it’s about ourselfs-fragmented lifestyle(it’s impossible to unite us all to socialise the same way)
-functionalist idea outdated,no more social solidarity

Marxist:legitimise inequality
Althusser argues that social control as simply being ISAs/RSAs.These institutions are ruled by the RC and keep WC under control to prevent revolution

Question 8

Parson:Building Block

Answer 8

Bottom part:Individuals actions governed by society norms & values

Medium part:clustered norms/status roles(expectations of behaviour of individuals)teachers shouldn’t have favourites

Bottom up:status roles are clustered to become institutions(family,school etc)

Top:institutions grouped together are subsystems(eg)shops,banks,factories etc make the economic sub-system

Question 9

System
-Examples of subsystems:

Answer 9

-ECONOMIC:shops,banks,business
-POLITICAL:government,local gov(council)
-LEGAL:laws,police,courts
-CULTURAL:family,religion,media,school
Then society is a big bubble that contains these subsystems that are made by institutions and the subsystems make society

Question 10

The systems needs
-Parsons identifies 4 basic needs,known as AGIL SCHEME
-there are societies functional perquisites(requirements)which need to be met to survive

Answer 10

1.)ADAPTATIONS:adapt to the environment-businesses

2.)GOAL ATTAINMENT:decide the goals-goverment

3.)INTEGRATION:society must reinforce this goals and shared values to achieve cohesion-agencies of control

4.)LATENCY:socialise the young-education

Question 11

Social Change-Parson

Answer 11

Society moves from simple to complex structures similar to the evolutionary process of humans
-Structural differentiation:institutions in society have been replaced or forgotten and developed to to meet each different need ie religion
-extended to nuclear

Question 12

modern society

Answer 12

had a complex division of labour which promotes differences between groups, this weakens social solidarity.
-We persue individual self-interest,all judged the same-universalistic standards-

Question 13

Traditional Society

Answer 13

a society based on mechanical solidarity with little deviation of labour.
-it has strong collective consensus together-collective interest first,status ascribed

Question 14

social order

Answer 14

is achieved through a central value or shared culture; a set of norms and values or beliefs that are shared by members of society.

Question 15

kinship system

Answer 15

relationships within a community or family

Question 16

social control

Answer 16

the techniques and strategies for preventing deviant human behaviour in any society

Question 17

Merton’s internal critique of functionalism

Answer 17

Indispensability: Parsons ignores the fact that there may be functional alternatives as he believes all institutions are essential.g. One parent families and socialization isnt only performed by nuclear families.

Functional Unity: Parson assumes that all parts of the society are integrated into a whole unity and that change will have a knock effect on all other parts ignores the fact that some institutions have functional autonomy(independence)

Universal Functionalism: Parson assumes that all things have a = function ignores the idea that some things may be functional for some but dysfunctional for others.

Question 18

Merton Manifest & latent functions
-critics Parson-too narrow- not everything is necessary,not all institutions are interconnected & some arent working
-broader definistions needed

Answer 18

Manifest functions:are the ones that are pre-planned/conscious
Latent functions:are unintended & unconscious

Question 19

Ao3

Answer 19

-ignore gender inequalities-ignores conflict
-deterministic-assumes human behavior is stable and controlled by extreme forces

Question 20

External critics of functionalism

Answer 20

-Logical criticisms
-Postmodernist criticism
-Conflict perspective criticism
-Action perspective criticism

Question 21

-Conflict perspective criticism

Answer 21

-ignores conflict in society and ignores how change argue that society is not harmonious-based on exploitation & divided into classes-unequal power-stbility is the result of the dominant class being able to prevent change by coercion(force)/ideological manipulation-prevent revolution
-feminists believe that society is based on conflict:class & patriarchy
-shared values are just covering the interest that MC gains from exploitation

Question 22

-Action perspective criticism

Answer 22

Ignores free will-puppets whose strings are pulled by the social system and is overly- deterministic(social system uses socilaisation to shape peoples behaviour so the system needs by performing their prescribed roles.Individuals shapes society(bottom-up)

Question 23

Postmodernist criticisms

Answer 23

functionalism assumes society is stable and orderly
— cannot account for diversity and instability in postmodern society.
Functionalism is an example of a meta-narrative that attempts to create a model of the workings of society as a whole; an overall theory is no longer possible because society is increasingly fragmented

Question 24

Social solidarity

Answer 24

a shared culture(shared norms,values,beliefs etc)which provides framework for individuals in terms of behavior

Question 25

Parson:The system therefore has TWO FUNCTIONS to ensure this consensus happens

Answer 25

1.)Socialisation
2.)Social Control

Question 26

culture

Answer 26

a set is norms,values,beliefs & goals shared by members of society

Question 27

Applying functionalism
-Education
-Family

Answer 27

Education:Schools socialize students into society to create social solidarity
-provide students with skills for work and teach meritocracy
allocate roles for individuals within society

Family:primary socialisation leads to stable personalities
teaches traditional gender roles
nuclear family is the best

Question 28

Durkheim-society is shaped by social facts such as norms and values that are passed on and shared

Answer 28

-too much freedom=anomie(lack of norms and values) therefore society needs social solidarity=people need to feel part of something bigger to stay together=social stability

Question 29

The organic analogy-parson

Answer 29

-Society works like a human body
-institutions in society are like organs-they are interdependent but must work together
-each is important to maintain social solidarity
-social solidarity to be achieved=social order and social cohesion need to be balanced-through socialization