functionalism

Question 1

who developed functionalism?

Answer 1

Emile Durkheim

Question 2

what view does functionalism take on society?

Answer 2

a positive view

Question 3

what do functionalists believe all institutions in society are?

Answer 3

inter-dependant

Question 4

what are functionalists mainly criticised for?

Answer 4

they do not acknowledge the inequality of opportunity in society, they assume everyone has a fair chance of success and ignore the disadvantaged faced by certain class, gender and ethnic groups

Question 5

what do functionalists believe about socialisation?

Answer 5

they believe socialization is an essential process to ensure there is value consensus in society and not anomie.

They believe family are a crucial part of socialization and should teach children how to behave in society

Question 6

meritocracy

Answer 6

the idea that if you work hard, you will be successful

Question 7

what do functionalists believe about meritocracy

Answer 7

Functionalists believe that everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed, so it is those who are the most talented and most hardworking that gain the most important jobs in society. They argue that this is functional because we have the most capable people running our country

Question 8

consensus

Answer 8

the idea that society is stable, equal and fair. There is no conflict, and this social order is maintained due to the fact we are all socialized into the same norm and values

Question 9

value consensus

Answer 9

how members of society are all in agreement. Individuals all collectively share the same values, so society is harmonious

Question 10

anomie

Answer 10

a state of chaos or normlessness. It means that everyone abandons the norms and values, so there is no social order