Functionalism basics Flashcards
What are Parson’s four functional prerequisites?
Adaptation (the economic function) - adequate standard of life for the survival of its members Goal attainment (the political function) - ways of making decisions Integration (social harmony) - limiting conflict Latency (individual beliefs and values) - pattern maintenance and tension management
What is the role of culture?
To emphasise that people should act in particular ways - ensuring the functional prerequisites are met
What are the five pattern variables (cultural choices of action)?
Affectivity/affective neutrality - are there close interpersonal relationships or are the majority of interactions value free?
Specificity/diffusiveness - relationships based on one link, or many?
Universalism/particularism - should rules apply to everyone equally, or not?
Quality/performance - should people be treated by their abilities or their social position at birth?
Self orientation/collectivity orientation - importance of individual lives or that of the group?
What were Merton’s amendments to the theory?
1 - Parsons ignored how some institutions are both functional and dysfunctional - eg religion
2 - Parsons failed to reconcile the distinction between manifest (intended) and latent (unintended) functions
What is social solidarity?
Durkheim’s idea - a sense of belonging to society, people bound together by the collective conscience
What is anomie?
Durkheim’s idea of ‘a lack of moral regulation or normlessness’
What is Parson’s AGIL model?
4 basic needs of society:
Adaptation - adapting to the environment to produce the necessary tools for survival - the economy
Goal attainment - setting goals - politics, policies
Integration - encouraging social solidarity and conformity - media, education, police
Latency - ensuring continued commitment to social values - family
What does Parsons say causes integration of individuals?
Socialisation - the internalization of norms and values
Social control - the rewarding of conformity and punishment of deviance
Which Functionalists theorised about social stratification?
Davis and Moore (1955) - positive, meritocratic, encourages everyone to work to the best of their abilities
What is a positive criticism of functionalism?
Alexander (Neo-Funct): the Parsonian model is not deterministic as it does allow ‘reflexive’ individual decisions
What was Merton’s 5 responses to strain?
Rebellion, conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism
Influences Left Realist Young’s idea of mismatch between culture and unequal structure of capitalism
What was Davis’ theory?
1937 - prostitution acted as a safety valve
What did Durkheim say were the six functions of deviance?
Boundary maintenance; publicity function; legitimises social change; bongs strengthened; safety valve; warning device
