Functionalism On Culture Flashcards
Emile Durkheim believed that
Society and culture were more important than the individual
Simple observation
Society exists before the individual is born into it and continues relatively in disturbed after the death of the individual
What did he say about people’s behaviour?
Generally patterned and predictable
How did he view culture
As the cement that bonds individuals together in the form of society
Function of social in situations
To socialise individuals into the value consensus
Examples of social institutions
Family religion education
Durkheim on modern societies
Industrial societies are much more complex
What do industrialisation and urbanisation have the potential to do?
Undermine value consensus and cultural conformity because we experience a great deal more choice in our benefits
What happens because of choice?
We may be confused about what values, beliefs and rules we should live by and therefore could come to conflict with one another
What did Durkheim call conflict?
Anomie
Anomie
Occurs when norms and values of society become unclear
- can occur during periods when society is rapidly changing
Examples of change
Urbanisation, industrialisation, civil war, economic change
War and economic examples
Civil war in Syria 2015
Banking crisis of 2008
Specialised division of labour
Reinforces social order because it results in people being dependant upon each other for societies survival and continuation
Jobs don’t exist
In isolation from each other
