functionalism and sociological theories

Question 1

functionalism as a consensus theory

Answer 1

• society is based on a basic consensus among its members
• shared values, norms and beliefs

Question 2

PARSONS - body / organic analogy (three similarities)

Answer 2

• macro theory: top down
• individuals are shaped by society
• all societies institutions work together like a system
• there are three similarities between the human body and society:
  1. both made up of interrelated parts and are self-regulating
  2. the body has basic needs to survive such as nutrients etc, society had basic needs for survival
  3. the parts of a system function to meet the systems needs e.g. the heart pumps blood, the family provide primary socialisation

Question 3

social order and value consensus

Answer 3

• social order is a basic need, only possible through a shared culture, central value system
• social order is possible as long as all members agree: value consensus

Question 4

the integration of individuals to create a value consensus

Answer 4

• the basic function of value consensus is to create social order
• this is done by integrating individuals into the social system using two mechanisms:

1. socialisation - individuals internalise the shared norms, values and beliefs
2. social order - the use of positive and negative sanctions

Question 5

PARSONS - the parts of the social system

Answer 5

• PARSONS uses a building block approach
• at the bottom is individual actions
• each action is governed by specific norms
• norms come in clusters called status roles - positions that exist in the social system i.e. teacher, parent
• roles are a set of norms which tell the occupant how to behave

social system
status roles
norms
actions

Question 6

PARSONS - the social systems needs (AGIL)

Answer 6

• AGIL scheme - each need is met by a sub system of institutions
• ADAPTATION: material needs aka food and shelter, met by the economic subsystem
• GOAL ATTAINMENT: society needs to set goals, done through the political system
• INTEGRATION: shared goals done through the subsystem of religion, education and media
• LATENCY: maintains society over time, done through the kinship subsystem (family) socialising individuals into roles society needs

Question 7

PARSONS - social change (structural differentiation)

Answer 7

• social change is gradual and evolutionary - change causes change
• societies gradually move from simplistic traditional societies into large, complex industrial societites
• PARSONS calls this structural differentiation
• institutions have taken over the functions once provided by the family
• same can be said for religion

Question 8

MERTON - internal criticisms of functionalism and parsons

Answer 8

• PARSONS assumes:
• indispensability - everything in society is functionally indispensable - MERTON argues nuclear family is no longer the sole provider of family socialisation
• functional unity - all parts of society are interrelated - modern societies are very complex - MERTON argues sometimes no obvious relationship
• universal functionalism - everything in society performs positive functions as a whole. MERTON argues some institutions can be dysfunctional for some
• society is not always a smooth running integrated system

Question 9

different theories criticisms of functionalism

Answer 9

MARXISM: ignores conflict in society such as exploitation

ACTION THEORIES: deterministic view of the over socialised individual

FEMINISM: ignores patriarchy and inequality relating to gender

POSTMODERNISM: it assumes society is stable - todays society is diverse and unstable