Functionalism

Question 1

What type of theory is Functionalism?

Answer 1

• Macro theory
• Consensus
• Durkheim
• Structural
• Formed through deduction

Question 2

What is the organic analogy?

Answer 2

Society as the human body: all parts need to work together in order to function properly; all parts serve a function.

Question 3

What did Durkheim theorise?

Answer 3

• Society as an organic analogy.
• Value consensus: collective conscience and social solidarity = harmony maintains social order.
• Social facts which can be scientifically observed and measured.

Question 4

What is Anomie?

Answer 4

Normlessness: people developing selfish desires/feelings of dissatisfaction; occurs at times of rapid social change such as the Civil Rights Movement.

Question 5

Evaluation of Functionalism/Durkheim:

Answer 5

• Rose-tinted view of society: fails to consider conflicts between groups.
• Too deterministic: individuals have freedom of choice.
• It tries to see a positive purpose in all aspects of society, like crime.
• Ignores how norms and values may be used to benefit other groups.
• Merton.

Question 6

What did Parsons theorise?

Answer 6

• Social bridge: closes gap between ‘real’ world and family life where we value things with particularistic vs universalistic values = helps us to become functioning societal members (EDUCATION).
• SOAP/Warm Bath Theory = assigned expressive/instrumental roles, women to relieve men’s stress from capitalism and manual labour. (FAMILY).

Question 7

Evaluation of Parsons:

Answer 7

• Education is not meritocratic: the working-class fail due to lack of material, etc = unfair.
• Outdated view of family: women now work, can be financially independent, etc. Nuclear family is no longer the only family type.
• Merton.

Question 8

What did Merton theorise?

Answer 8

Believes that institutions can have a negative or non-existent function (DYSFUNCTION).

Functional Autonomy = not all institutions are interconnected, some act as independent units.

Manifest functions = intended functions.
Latent functions = unintended functions.

Question 9

Evaluation of Merton:

Answer 9

• More realistic.
• Too abstract, little evidence to support it as most institutions seem to be interconnected.

Question 10

What does Murdock theorise? (Family)

Answer 10

RESS: reproduction, economic, socialisation (primary) and satisfying sex drives.

4 functions of the family.

Question 11

What do Davis and Moore theorise? (Education)

Answer 11

Role allocation: silt and shifts/sorts people into the correct jobs.

Jobs with the best pay = best grades/ability, meritocratic.