functionalism theory

Question 1

define the organic analogy

Answer 1

Organic analogy → society is referred to as all institutions work together to perform a function
Parsons identifies three similarities between the body and society

Question 2

How does Parsons belive social order is achieved?

Answer 2

Value consensus

Question 3

define the term Value Consensus

Answer 3

Parsons argues that a central value system with a set of norms,values,beliefs and goals shared by members of society is needed.

• As this provides a framework for individuals to co-operate. So the agreement collectively on these norms and values is the VC.

Question 4

What are the two factors that Parsons argues ensures the value consensus is upkept?

Answer 4

• socialisation
• social control

Question 5

How does socialisation upkeep value consensus

Answer 5

The social system ensures that its needs are met through teaching individuals what it wants them to do through socialisation.

• This includes individuals internalising the shared norms and values so society becomes part of their personality structure.
  Institutions - such as media, family , education, religion all contribute to this.

Question 6

How does social control upkeep value consensus?

Answer 6

Positive sanctions reward conformity whilst negative punish deviance
E.g Reward - those who conform to educational success → rewarded with diplomas and qualification
Deviate - Are stigmatised as layabouts
Carried out by agents - informal (parents / peers) Formal ( police)

Question 7

How can intergration affect behaviour?

Answer 7

By being integrated into this value consensus it makes behaviour much more predictable and stable allowing social life possible

Question 8

Define the term functional prerequisites

Answer 8

are things that societies need in order to survive. Just like human beings need certain things to survive, every society has to have certain things in order to function properly.

Question 9

What is the GAIL schema

Answer 9

For any society to survive there are four basic needs to be met - if they are not met by social institutions society will break down

Question 10

identify the four needs in the GAIL schema

Answer 10

Goal attainment
Adaptation
Intergration
Latence

Question 11

Define Goal attainment and what subsystem meets this need?

Answer 11

Goals need to be set for members → political sub-system as without this → anomie (normlessness)

Govt - parliament
Education
Media

Question 12

Define adaption and what subsystems meet this need?

Answer 12

Social system meets its material needs through the economic subs system

Employment - £ to purchase materials to meet the need
Govt. - welfare state

Question 13

Define intergration and what subsystems meet this need?

Answer 13

Members must feel a part of their society,which enables cooperation and solidarity. = social solidarity
If not causes anomie - normlessness

Education → british values / lit / ethnocentric curriculum
Families

Question 14

Define latency and which subsystems meet this need?

Answer 14

Refers to the process of maintaining society over time.

Media (escapism)
Family (warm bath)

Question 15

What is meany by anomie?

Answer 15

(normlessness)
A lack of socialisation / Goal setting / intergration

Question 16

What does Parsons argue about social change?

Answer 16

a gradual process in which a separate, functionally specialised institutions develop,each meeting a different need ( schools 0 education / hospitals - healthcare)

through - structural diffrentiation

Question 17

What is the second reason parson argues for social change?

Answer 17

Additionally, he sees a gradual change through dynamic equilibrium - as a change occurs in one part it produces a compensatory effect within an other

Example → functional fit (extended / nuclear family)

Question 18

What are mertons 3 internal criticisms ?

Answer 18

• indispensibility
• Universal functionalism
• Functional Unity

Question 19

What does Merton mean by the Indispensibility critique?

Answer 19

parsons assumes that everything in society is indispensable (nothing can replace it) → but actually other institutions can perform the functions ‘functional alternatives’

E.g lone parent families can equally perform the socialisation process like the nuclear family

Question 20

What does Merton mean by the critique of Universal functionalism?

Answer 20

Parsons assumes everything in society performs a positive function - however some of the functions may be dysfunctional for some individuals

• Suggests their may be conflicts of interest with some groups have power to keep arrangements for themselves at the expense of others

Education system → doesn’t benefit all individuals such as teaching of specialist skills in schools may not benefit W/C

Question 21

What does Merton mean by the critique of Functional Unity?

Answer 21

Parsons argues that all parts of society are interdependent - but it may actually be that some parts have ‘functional autonomy’

E.g banking does not affect the roles of netball

Question 22

Define what Merton meant by Manifest functions?

Answer 22

an intent function ( from a scientific viewpoint is unlikely) - ie singing away the rain

Question 23

What does Merton mean by a latent function?

Answer 23

an unintended function ie singing away the rain may bring a sense of social solidarity

Question 24

Action theory criticism of functionalism

Answer 24

Wrong criticised → for being deterministic view of the individual → critique the view of individuals being merely a puppet from the social system → with no free will
*Argue individuals create society by their interaction → own choice such as creating own family structure *

Question 25

Conflict perspectives criticisms of functionalism

Answer 25

Criticised for its inability to explain change and conflict →argue that functionalism is used to legitimise and justify the social order through universal functionalism and indispensability

Question 26

Post modern criticism of functionalism

Answer 26

• Argue that functionalism assumes society is stable - cannot account for diversity and instability that exists in contemporary society.
• Critique it for being a meta-narrative that attempts to create a model for society as a whole - but due to fragmentation this is not possible