Functionalism

Question 1

Durkheim

Answer 1

ppl = selfish - need common V’s to promo coop & prevent anomie - used to come together thro mech sol - mems lived in small undif groups = strong ties & performed sim tasks - held together by VC - now = organic sol = div of lab so forced to interact & exchange w/ each other to provide things need

Question 2

Parsons

Answer 2

agree w/ D need agents of soc & fam to build VC & maintain soc order - think has changed overtime - geo mobil & nuc fam - need fun prerequs - Goal Attainment, Adaption, Intergration, Latency (maintenance)
organic analogy - soc thought to func like organisam - soc instus = organs

Question 3

Merton

Answer 3

crit P for assump all soc instus = beneficial = dsyfunction - have manifest (intended outcome w/ recog cons eg NHS provides healthcare) & latent funcs (unitended outcome & unrecog cons eg hospital w’s meet partner)

Question 4

Strength

Answer 4

recog NBance of soc struc & understanding in soc behav & links between instus = explan for soc stability & why ppl conform to soc life rules

Question 5

Weaknesses

Answer 5

deterministic - ignores free will - soc shapes person
metanarrative & soc change - ppl have indu v’s & = multiculturalism & tech changes so X longer applies
dsyfunction - ignores conflict
VC - ppl X passively take on N’s & V’s
conflict - ignores patri, racism & class inequality
conserv - X accepting of change - nuc fam