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Sociology - Crime + Deviance and Theory + Methods > Functionalism > Flashcards

Functionalism Flashcards

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1
Q

outline logical criticisms as an external critique of functionalism

A
  • F is teleological - the idea that things exist because of their function
  • however a real explanation is one that identifies the cause of things
  • F is also unscientific - a theory is only scientific if it can be proved wrong
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2
Q

outline conflict criticisms as an external critique of functionalism

A
  • Marxists critique F for its inability to explain conflict and change
  • society isn’t harmonious - its based on exploitation + divisions
  • F is a ‘conservative ideology’ - justifies the existing social order
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3
Q

outline action perspective criticisms as an external critique of functionalism

A
  • Wrong: F has an over socialised and over deterministic view of the individual. e.g. socialisation shapes peoples behaviour - they have no free will
  • F reifies society (treats it as a distinct thing over individuals, with its own needs), whereas social reality is only constructed by individuals
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4
Q

outline postmodern criticisms as an external critique of functionalism

A
  • F assumes society is stable which doesn’t explain instability/ conflict in PM society
  • F is a meta narrative - is a big story of society that isn’t applicable to PM fragmented society
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5
Q

name Parson’s 3 similarities between society and a biological organism (organic analogy)

A
  • system
  • system needs
  • functions
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6
Q

outline Parsons view of the family in terms of social change

A
  • the functions performed by the family depends on the type of society
  • there are 2 family structures: the nuclear family and the extended family
  • there are 2 types of societies: modern industrial (fits the NFs) and traditional pre-industrial society (fits the extended families)
  • traditional pre industrial society: families spend their whole lives in one village working the same job that could be passed down generationally (agriculture)
  • modern industrial society: industries require people to move where the jobs are (a geographically + socially mobile work force is needed)
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7
Q

define structural differentiation in terms of social change

A
  • the gradual process in which separately specialised institutions develop to meet a different need
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8
Q

define moving equilibrium in terms of social change

A
  • as a change occurs in one part of a system, it produces changes in other parts
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9
Q

what is an AO3 evaluation of Parson’s view of the family

A
  • Young and Willmott + Laslett: the NF was the most common family type pre-industrialisation so was the extended family actually the most suited?
  • Y and W: industrialisation didn’t give way to a nuclear family but more so a ‘mum-centred’ w/c nuclear family
  • the ext. family hasn’t disappeared - and it still performs important functions (financial stability, childcare)
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10
Q

outline system as a similarity between society and a biological organism

A
  • the human body and society are both self regulating systems of independent parts that work together (organs - institutions)
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11
Q

outline system needs as a similarity between society and a biological organism

A
  • organisms and the social system have needs that must be met to survive
  • e.g. members must be socialised
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12
Q

outline functions as a similarity between society and a biological organism

A
  • the function of a system it makes to meet the system needs ensures its survival
  • e.g. the circulatory system carries oxygen + nutrients to the tissues and the economy helps maintain social order by meeting the need for food and shelter
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13
Q

outline Parson’s idea of the family’s loss of functions

A
  • the pre-industrial family was multi functional; e.g. was both a unit of production (family members worked together) and a unit of consumption (fed + clothed its members)
  • when society industrialises, the fam changes its structure from extended to nuclear and loses many functions
  • thus, the nuclear fam performs 2 functions: primary socialisation of children and stabilisation of adult personalities
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14
Q

what are Parsons 2 family functions

A

1) the primary socialisation of children: equips them with basic skills + societies values to integrate them into society
2) the stabilisation of adult personalities: the family is a place where adults can relax / release tensions which allows them to return to the workplace refreshed and ready to meet the demands - its functional for efficiency of the economy

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15
Q

how does Parsons think social order is achieved

A
  • it’s achieved through the existence of a central value system (a shared culture) as it provides a framework for individuals to cooperate through how they should behave etc
  • social order is only possible as long as members of society agree on these norms + values (value consensus)
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16
Q

what is the function of the value consensus

A
  • to make social order possible through integrating individuals into society, thus meeting the system’s needs
  • e.g. system has to ensure peoples material needs are met, and so with the consensus would value the need for people to work
17
Q

what are the 2 ways Parsons says the system ensures a value consensus/ individual integration

A
  • socialisation
  • social control
18
Q

how does socialisation ensure a value consensus/ individual integration

A
  • through socialisation, individuals internalise the systems norms and values so that society becomes part of their personality structure
19
Q

how does social control ensure a value consensus/ individual integration

A
  • positive sanctions reward conformity, whilst negative ones punish deviance
  • e.g. those who conform to the norm of individual success through education are rewarded with educational certificates whilst those who deviate are stigmatised
20
Q

outline the second half of Parsons ‘building block’ model for describing the parts of the social system

A
  • institutions are grouped to form sub-systems; e.g. shops
  • these form the economic sub-system; whose function is to meet society’s material needs
  • finally these sub-systems make up the social system
21
Q

outline the first half of Parsons ‘building block’ model for describing the parts of the social system

A
  • at the bottom, is individual actions; each action is governed by a social norm/ rule
  • these norms come in clusters called status-roles; statuses are the positions that exist in a given social system - e.g. teacher
  • status-roles also come in clusters, known as institutions; e.g. the family
22
Q

outline the A in Parson’s AGIL schema

A
  • Adaption: the social system meets its members’ material needs through the economic sub-system
23
Q

define Parsons AGIL schema to outline the sub-systems needed to meet societies needs

A
  • Adaption
  • Goal attainment
  • Integration
  • Latency
24
Q

outline the I in Parson’s AGIL schema

A
  • Integration: the separate parts of the system must be integrated together to pursue shared goals. this is the role of the sub-system of religion, education and media
25
Q

outline the G in Parson’s AGIL schema

A
  • Goal attainment: society needs to set goals and allocate resources to achieve them. this is the function of the political sub-system, through institutions like parliament
26
Q

outline the L in Parson’s AGIL schema

A
  • Latency: refers to the processes that maintain society over time. the kinship sub system provides pattern maintenance and tension management
27
Q

name the 3 aspects of Merton’s internal critiques of functionalism

A
  • indispensability
  • functional unity
  • universal functionalism
28
Q

outline indispensability as Merton’s internal critique of functionalism

A
  • Parsons assumes every aspect of society is ‘functionally indispensable’ in its existing form
  • M suggests that there are functional alternatives - structures can be well performed in alternative structures
  • e.g. primary socialisation may not be best performed by the NF - but also by other fam types
29
Q

outline functional unity as Merton’s internal critique of functionalism

A
  • P assumes all parts of society are integrated into a unity + are functional for all, there is also a moving equilibrium
  • M says that in complex moderns society, society has many parts which have functional autonomy
30
Q

outline universal functionalism as Merton’s internal critique of functionalism

A
  • P assumes that everything ins society performs a positive function
  • M says that some things may be positive for one group - they may not be for another
31
Q

outline Merton’s distinction between manifest + latent functions

A
  • M uses the example of the Hopi Native American tribe who in times of drought, performed a rain dance with the aim of producing rain (its manifest (intended) function)
  • however, the ritual also has latent (unintended) functions, such as promoting solidarity in times of hardship
  • Merton’s distinction reveals the hidden connections between social phenomena which the actors may not be aware of

Sociology - Crime + Deviance and Theory + Methods (10 decks)

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