functionalism theory Flashcards
define the organic analogy
Organic analogy → society is referred to as all institutions work together to perform a function
Parsons identifies three similarities between the body and society
How does Parsons belive social order is achieved?
Value consensus
define the term Value Consensus
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.
What are the two factors that Parsons argues ensures the value consensus is upkept?
- socialisation
- social control
How does socialisation upkeep value consensus
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.
How does social control upkeep value consensus?
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)
How can intergration affect behaviour?
By being integrated into this value consensus it makes behaviour much more predictable and stable allowing social life possible
Define the term functional prerequisites
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.
What is the GAIL schema
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
identify the four needs in the GAIL schema
Goal attainment
Adaptation
Intergration
Latence
Define Goal attainment and what subsystem meets this need?
Goals need to be set for members → political sub-system as without this → anomie (normlessness)
Govt - parliament
Education
Media
Define adaption and what subsystems meet this need?
Social system meets its material needs through the economic subs system
Employment - £ to purchase materials to meet the need
Govt. - welfare state
Define intergration and what subsystems meet this need?
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
Define latency and which subsystems meet this need?
Refers to the process of maintaining society over time.
Media (escapism)
Family (warm bath)
What is meany by anomie?
(normlessness)
A lack of socialisation / Goal setting / intergration
What does Parsons argue about social change?
a gradual process in which a separate, functionally specialised institutions develop,each meeting a different need ( schools 0 education / hospitals - healthcare)
through - structural diffrentiation
What is the second reason parson argues for social change?
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)
What are mertons 3 internal criticisms ?
- indispensibility
- Universal functionalism
- Functional Unity
What does Merton mean by the Indispensibility critique?
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
What does Merton mean by the critique of Universal functionalism?
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
What does Merton mean by the critique of Functional Unity?
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
Define what Merton meant by Manifest functions?
an intent function ( from a scientific viewpoint is unlikely) - ie singing away the rain
What does Merton mean by a latent function?
an unintended function ie singing away the rain may bring a sense of social solidarity
Action theory criticism of functionalism
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 *
Conflict perspectives criticisms of functionalism
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
Post modern criticism of functionalism
- 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
