Functionalist Perspective Flashcards
Who are the 3 key theorists of functionalism?
Durkheim, Parsons, Merton
What do functionalists view society as?
A complex system of integrated parts that work together to maintain stability and order
What are social institutions?
Things like family, education and economy
What do functionalists say about social institutions?
They serve specific functions to ensure a smooth running society
What do functionalists emphasise?
The important of consensus, social cohesion, and shared values
Define “functional prerequisites”
Basic needs that must be met for society to function properly
Give examples of “functional prerequisites”
Economic production, socialisation, and social control
What are manifest functions?
The intended consequences of social institutions or actions
What are latent functions?
Unintended/ hidden consequences of social institutions or actions
What is the difference between manifest and latent functions?
Manifest functions are usually recognised
Latent functions may not be immediately recognised
What is a critique of functionalist perspective?
That it overlooks power dynamics and inequalities within society.
And that it assumes all parts of society contribute in a positive way to stability
Who believed that society is a system of independent parts, where the function of each part helps meet the needs of the system?
Parsons
How are individuals integrated into the system?
Through socialisation and social control
