Functionalism

Question 1

Criticisms

Answer 1

Too positive
Outdated in postmodern society - it’s a meta narrative
Over assumptive - too deterministic
Ignores oppression of all institutions
Structural theory not appropriate as society is fragmented
Ignores social interactions - social action theory - might be better way to analyse as we are fragmented and interactions create human behaviour

Question 2

Merton -

Latency and Dysfunction

Answer 2

Criticises Parsons over positivity:
Argues that manifest functions (intended outcome of an individual/institution) exist alongside latent functions (unintended outcomes)
Eg - family break ups may lead to domestic violence, crime, mental health issues. Technological advances can lead to pollution, climate change

Question 3

Parsons -

Functional Prerequisites

Answer 3

Basic needs of requirements that must be met for society to survive eg production of food, socialisation. Every institution exists to satisfy these needs.
Anything that doesn’t fulfil this is a sign of social disorder, that society isn’t working eg crime, family, breakups. Reminds population what is acceptable

Question 4

Durkheim

Answer 4

People are naturally selfish
Society would fall into chaos unless people learn common values
Institutions (family and education) - gives us shared norms and values - regulates behaviour, gives us social cohesion
This makes us predictable, harmonious and lessens conflict

Question 5

Durkheim -

Social change and social evolution

Answer 5

Social change occurs when society needs to adapt
Creates slow process of social evolution creating shift in values and commitments eg legalising homosexuality = legalised gay marriage = legalising gay adoption = teaching gay rights in school

Parsons call this structural differentiation as societies evolve, old functions are lost to new ones and institutions

Question 6

Functionalism

Answer 6

Macro theory, consensus, organic analogy

Functional prerequisites - adaptation (standard of living), goal attainment (decision making), integration (social harmony), latency (individual beliefs/values)

Question 7

Parsons -

GAIL model

Answer 7

All parts of society have a purpose and need

Goal attainment - (social harmony) society set goals for human behaviour creating social cohesion
Adaptation - (education, family) institutions help achieve goals of human behaviour eg education provides secondary socialisation
Integration - (religion) - people made to feel part of institution, giving them common values provides this
Latency - (laws, school) - development of social control mechanism serve to manage tensions