functionalism

Question 1

how is society seen as a system

Answer 1

-sees society as inter related parts which tg to form a whole
-organic anaology
-PARSONS= different institiutions e.g family, eductaion , religion etc work tg to meet needs of society
-ensure functional prerequistes are met e.g eductaion, food

Question 2

what is value consensus and social order

Answer 2

-DURKEHEIM= believed society would fall into chaos unless people shared common values
-need to be socialised into value consensus
-agents of socialisaiton play a key role in ensuring they reinforce the value consensus

Question 3

eval: is value consensus still relevant in contemporary UK

Answer 3

-no UK is multi cultural theres not many shared values

Question 4

what would postmods say ab VC

Answer 4

-argue society is now multicultural w diverse range of beliefs ab values present

Question 5

what would marx say ab VC

Answer 5

-would say theres is no VC just the valyes of the upper class imposed on everyone

Question 6

what does PARSONS say about everything having a function

Answer 6

-insitiutions provide positive and benficial functions for society

Question 7

what does MERTON say about everything having a function

Answer 7

-says this isnt always the vase
-some functions can have untintended negative consequences when some functions performed
-‘dysfunctions’ not able to meet shared goals of society(strain theory)

Question 8

what does MERTON say again ab functions

Answer 8

-theres intended functions and unintended functions
-e.g intended justice of CJS e,g retribution and punishment

Question 9

EVAL: is the idea of everything having a function still relevant today?

Answer 9

some institutions have intended functions however these may not always be achieved

Question 10

what would other theories say about the idea of everything having a function

Answer 10

-post MODS claim its a meta narrative and society no longer explained by one theory
-functionalism cant explain social change within society