Functionalism - Theories

Question 1

What is Durkheim’s idea: The establishment and maintenance of social order?

Answer 1

• Widespread agreement on norms and values = build social solidarity and regulates individuals
• Agencies of socialisation e.g. family + education integrate individuals into society - provide norms and values to maintain social order

Question 2

What is organic analogy?

Answer 2

The idea that society is a structure of inter-connected parts which form an integrated whole

Question 3

What are ‘functional prerequisites’ suggested by Parsons?

Answer 3

Basic requirements that must be met for society to survive.

= social institutions exist to satisfy these needs.

Question 4

What is Parsons’ GAIL model?

Answer 4

1) Goal Attainment - every society needs goals, these are set by politicians
2) Adaption - every society needs basics to survive like food, water, shelter. These are provided by the economy e.g. shops
3) Integration - all must be socialised into the same norms and values to agree to society’s goals. Done via main institutions such as education.
4) Latency - people are prevented developing social tensions due to the family (SOAP)

Question 5

How does Functionalism view change?

Answer 5

• As a slow evolutionary process as gradual shifts occur in social values people adapt to them + reaffirm their commitment to them
• A change in one part will result in changes elsewhere (Functional Fit)

Question 6

What is an example of social change from a Functionalist perspective?

Answer 6

Family used to be responsible for education but these functions gradually transferred to specialised education systems.

Question 7

What is dysfunction suggested by Merton?

Answer 7

Argued in highly complex social systems a lot can go wrong, causing unforeseen consequences when apparently beneficial functions are preformed
- dysfunctions can affect all other parts of the system

Question 8

What are manifest and latent functions?

Answer 8

• Mainfest: intended + recognised (e.g. education providing teaching)
• Latent: unintended + unrecognised (education causing bullying)

Question 9

How can Functionalism be applied to the family?

Answer 9

Parsons: 
- segregated conjugal roles
- SOAP
- primary socialisation 
Murdock:
- 4 functions = universal

Question 10

How can Functionalism be applied to Education?

Answer 10

Parsons:
- meritocracy 
- particularistic vs. universalistic standards
Durkheim: 
- specialised skills 
- social solidarity
Davis + Moore:
- role allocation

Question 11

How can Functionalism be applied to crime?

Answer 11

Durkheim:
- c+d are necessary and inevitable parts of society
Merton:
- anomie is useful in explaining the range of responses to the mismatch between society’s goals and how they can be achieved

• Deviance can be used to provide boundaries and reinforce society’s value consensus

Question 12

How can Functionalism be applied to beliefs?

Answer 12

Durkheim:
- totemism, profane, scared
Malinowski:
- life crisis 
Parsons:
- core values
Bellah
- civil religion - Americanism

Question 13

What are 4 strengths of Functionalism?

Answer 13

1) Points to the power of society in socialising us into conformity
2) Mainly ‘fits the facts’ - there is value consensus, society is stable, democracy is accepted etc
3) Explains how society can slowly change and adapt over time
4) Explains the functions of institutions - manifest and latent

Question 14

What are 4 weaknesses of Functionalism?

Answer 14

1) Feminists argue it ignores patriarchy and fails to give due consideration to the key variable of gender
2) Tends to see the world through M/C, male eyes - hence society seen as good
3) PM argue society is characterised by diversity and choice not value consensus - pick and mix identities
4) Ignores the micro perspective level of analysis. For interactionists individuals are not puppets moulded by society, but active, thinking beings