Functionalism Flashcards
(17 cards)
What do functionalists believe?
Without shared values and beliefs it is impossible to achieve social order
3 key sociologists
- Durkheim
- Parsons
- Davis and Moore
Durkheim’s key concepts
- Society in miniature
- Social division of labour
- Social solidarity
Society in miniature
Schools are small scale version of the wider society in which people work and live
Social divisions of labour
Different classes doing different jobs to ensure all jobs are filled by the correct people for the job
Social solidarity
Feeling united, sharing values and cultural heritage. For example SMSC and assemblies
Parsons key concepts
- Focal socialising agency
- Particularistic norms
- Universalistic norms
- Ascribed status
- Achieved status
Focal socialising agency
Schools take over from the family as the socialising unit
Particularistic norms
Standards/rules that only apply to one person/family/group
Universalistic norms
Standards/rules that apply to everyone
Ascribed status
A status based on things you were born with eg status, family, wealth etc
Achieved status
A status that has been gained through our own efforts eg getting into university
Davis and Moore key concepts
- Role allocation
- Social stratification
Role allocation
Schools sift and sort through students into roles they will go onto preform in life based on achieved status
Social stratification
Different layers in the hierarchy. The most important jobs have the highest social and economic status (Not always true)
Meritocracy
People selected based on their merit (Achieved status)
3 main criticisms
- Too idealistic - Ignores subcultures and expects everyone to follow the same values
- Over socialised view of society - We do not always accept values that are taught to us
- Too much evidence against meritocracy - Different schools all preform differently eg in lockdown not all students had access to computers
