functionalism

Question 1

explain in basic terms what functionalism is as a theory

Answer 1

a positive consensus theory.
they believe that all members of society have been socialised into the same set of norms and values and therefore share a common collective conscience and live in social solidarity together.

Question 2

collective conscience

Answer 2

having strong socialisation by all humans having the same set of norms and values

Question 3

consensus theory

Answer 3

a theory that believes everyone collectively agrees on the same norms and values in society/a group

Question 4

culture

Answer 4

shared beliefs and values that participants in a society must learn

Question 5

functional prerequisites

Answer 5

the specific roles each social institution must carry out

Question 6

norm

Answer 6

rules or expectations that are socially enforced and expected of everyone in society/in a certain group

Question 7

organic analogy

Answer 7

Durkheims comparison of society to the human body and each social institution being an organ

Question 8

social institution

Answer 8

ways in which we are socialised into certain norms and values (e.g. by family and friends)

Question 9

social solidarity

Answer 9

when society achieves a strong collective conscience (argued by Durkheim)

Question 10

socialisation

Answer 10

the process of how we are taught norms and values
- functionalists believe we are a product of our socialisation

Question 11

value

Answer 11

the beliefs that we have about what is important, both to us and to society as a whole

Question 12

value consensus

Answer 12

the need for societies to have a general agreement of common set of beliefs and principles to work with and towards