Functionalism

Question 1

outline logical criticisms as an external critique of functionalism

Answer 1

logical:
- F is teleological (the idea that things exist because of their function) - but 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

Question 2

outline conflict criticisms as an external critique of functionalism

Answer 2

conflict:
- 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

Question 3

outline action perspective criticisms as an external critique of functionalism

Answer 3

action:
- 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

Question 4

outline postmodern criticisms as an external critique of functionalism

Answer 4

postmodern:
- 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

Question 5

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

Answer 5

• system
• system needs
• functions

Question 6

outline Parsons view of the family in terms of social change

Answer 6

• 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)

Question 7

define structural differentiation in terms of social change

Answer 7

• structural differentiation = the gradual process in which separately specialised institutions develop to meet a different need

Question 8

define moving equilibrium in terms of social change

Answer 8

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

Question 9

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

Answer 9

• 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)

Question 10

outline system as a similarity between society and a biological organism (Parsons organic analogy)

Answer 10

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

Question 11

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

Answer 11

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

Question 12

outline functions as a similarity between society and a biological organism

Answer 12

• 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

Question 13

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

Answer 13

• 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

Question 14

outline Parson’s 2 family functions

Answer 14

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

Question 15

how does Parsons think social order is achieved

Answer 15

• 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)

Question 16

what is the function of the value consensus

Answer 16

• 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, from which the consensus values the need for people to work

Question 17

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

Answer 17

• socialisation
• social control

Question 18

how does socialisation ensure a value consensus/ individual integration

Answer 18

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

Question 19

how does social control ensure a value consensus/ individual integration

Answer 19

• 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

Question 20

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

Answer 20

4) institutions are grouped to form sub-systems; e.g. shops
5) these form the economic sub-system; whose function is to meet society’s material needs
6) finally these sub-systems make up the social system

Question 21

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

Answer 21

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

Question 22

outline the A in Parson’s AGIL schema

Answer 22

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

Question 23

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

Answer 23

• Adaption
• Goal attainment
• Integration
• Latency

Question 24

outline the I in Parson’s AGIL schema

Answer 24

• 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

Question 25

outline the G in Parson's AGIL schema

Answer 25

- 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

Question 26

outline the L in Parson's AGIL schema

Answer 26

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

Question 27

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

Answer 27

- indispensability - functional unity - universal functionalism

Question 28

outline indispensability as Merton's internal critique of functionalism

Answer 28

- 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

Question 29

outline functional unity as Merton's internal critique of functionalism

Answer 29

- 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

Question 30

outline universal functionalism as Merton's internal critique of functionalism

Answer 30

- P assumes that everything ins society performs a positive function (universal functionality) - M says that some things may be positive for one group - they may not be for another

Question 31

outline Merton's distinction between manifest + latent functions

Answer 31

- 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

Question 32

define social facts

Answer 32

- a concept created by Durkheim - social fact = external forces - e.g. norms, laws, institutions, that shape individual behavior + maintain social order