Functionalism

Question 1

Durkheim

Answer 1

Founder of Functionalism (and one of the founders of sociology as a whole)
Saw society as existing above its members - “Social Facts” shaping behaviours to serve societies’ needs.
He believed in social solidarity.
(Functionalist)

Question 2

Social Solidarity

Answer 2

In the past, in traditional societies, members were often alike in race, religion and culture, giving a mechanical solidarity.
Today, division of labour leads to individual freedom and social cohesion because we rely on other people to feed us and they rely on us to do things they cannot.
(Durkheim)

Question 3

Parsons

Answer 3

Developed Functionalism into a systematic theory.
Made Functionalism the dominant Sociological theory in the 50s/60s.
(Functionalist)

Question 4

Organic Analogy

Answer 4

Society is like a human body.
Systems of interrelated, independent parts that work together.
All have needs in order to survive.
Each part has a function essential in survival.
(Parsons)

Question 5

Value Consensus

Answer 5

Shared culture - set of norms, values, beliefs, goals.
Rules about behaviour and expectations.
Agreement on these norms and values = value consensus.
People are integrated into the social system.
(Parsons)

Question 6

AGIL needs

Answer 6

A - Adaptation
G - Goal attainment
I - Integration
L - Latency
(Parsons)

Question 7

Adaptation

Answer 7

Meeting material needs. Achieved through economic sub-system.
(Parsons)

Question 8

Goal Attainment

Answer 8

Setting goals and resources allocated to meeting those, achieved through political sub-system.
(Parsons)

Question 9

Integration

Answer 9

Society must be integrated in pursuit of shared goals. Achieved through sub-systems religion, education and media.
(Parsons)

Question 10

Latency

Answer 10

Processes that maintain society over time. Achieved through kinship sub-system.
For example, pattern maintenance - socialising individuals into certain roles, or tension management - a place to “let off steam” after work.
(Parsons)

Question 11

Instrumental Needs

Answer 11

Production and sustainment.
(Parsons)

Question 12

Expressive Needs

Answer 12

Expression or channeling emotions.
(Parsons)

Question 13

Traditional Society

Answer 13

Collective interests (religion, culture, collective goals)
Ascribed status (predestined status due to family profession i.e. family farm/artisanal business
Particularistic standards (judged by different standards e.g. what nobility could get away with vs what peasants could)
(Parsons)

Question 14

Modern Society

Answer 14

Individual interests (self-interest/family interest)
Achieved status (earn your status by hard work)
Universalistic standards (all people judged by the same standards and laws)
(Parsons)

Question 15

Social Change

Answer 15

A change in society is a gradual, slow purpose (usually).
Society becomes more complex.
“Structural differentiation” -separate specialised institutions.
Moving equilibrium - as one part of society changed, another does elsewhere to regain the balance, e.g. rise of industry brings changes in family structure from extended families to nuclear families.
(Parsons)

Question 16

Socialisation

Answer 16

Socialisation makes you want to do what the system wants you to do. Primary (at home) and Secondary (external organisations).

Question 17

Social Control

Answer 17

A more direct way of influencing society, especially in adults. Positive sanctions such as success and money encourage people to do what the system wants them to do. Negative sanctions such as marginalisation or even prison punish deviance from the system.

Question 18

Merton

Answer 18

Merton was a Functionalist who made internal critiques of Functionalism from inside the Functionalist sphere.
(Functionalist)

Question 19

Indispensability

Answer 19

One of Merton’s critiques.
Assumption: Everything in society is functionally indispensable (completely essential)
Alternative: “Functional alternatives” e.g. lone parents rather than nuclear family.

Question 20

Functional Unity

Answer 20

One of Merton’s critiques.
Assumption: All parts of society are tightly integrated and unified.
Alternative: “Functional autonomy” - complex societies have many parts that may be unrelated to each other, e.g. the rules of netball and the structure of banking have nothing to do with each other, as far as we know.

Question 21

Universal Functionalism

Answer 21

One of Merton’s critiques.
Assumption: Everything in society performs a positive function.
Alternative: “Dysfunction” - conflicts of interest. What benefits one group will not necessarily benefit another.

Question 22

Manifest function

Answer 22

The intended function, what something is intended to do. For example, a tribal rain dance is intended to bring rain.
(Merton)

Question 23

Latent function

Answer 23

The unintended function, what happens without intention as a result. For example, a tribal rain dance might provide a sense of community and solidarity in times of drought, even if intended to bring rain ritually.