Functionalist Perspective Flashcards
What perspective is functionalism?
A consensus persepective
What are Murdock 4 functions the family performs?
Sexual
Reproductive
Economic
Educational
What is a criticism of Murdock?
These functions can be performed by other institutions
Marxists reject the rose tinted harmonious consensus view that the family meets the needs of both wider society and the different members of the family
What is parsons theory?
The functional fit theory
What two functions does Parsons believe in?
Primary socialisation
Stabilisation of adult personalities
What different family types does parsons talk about?
Nuclear and extended
Which period does extended family fit in?
Pre industrial
What two needs does the industrial society have according to parsons?
Geographically mobile workforce
A social mobile workforce
What is a socially mobile workforce?
Higher status, achieved status
Nuclear family works better as the son lives alone, and is the head of the household
What is stabilisation of adult personalities?
Where adults can relax and release tensions
Return to the work place refreshed
