Functionalist Theories of Society

Question 1

What 5 theories come under functionalism?

Answer 1

• the organic analogy
• the needs of society
• value consensus
• social integration
• social change

Question 2

According to functionalists, what is the organic analogy?

Answer 2

Functionalists use a biological analogy to describe how society is organised

Question 3

According to functionalists, what are the 3 ways in which society works like a human body (organic analogy)?

Answer 3

• society and the body are both systems made up of interrelated parts
• body and society have needs that need to be met
• society and the body have different roles to play in order for it to function properly

Question 4

Evaluation of the organic analogy theory by functionalists?

Answer 4

Some institutions have no real impact on other parts of society therefore meaning institutions may not be interdependent on each other

Question 5

According to functionalists, what are the GAIL needs of society?

Answer 5

• goal attainment
• adaptive
• social integration
• latent needd

Question 6

Explain the goal attainment function of society according to functionalists and GAIL?

Answer 6

People are provided with goals to work towards and are given a means to achieve them

Question 7

Explain the adaptive function of society according to functionalists and GAIL?

Answer 7

Society must provide people with the resources in order to secure human existence. Economy needs to keep up to date so people have adequate resources.

Question 8

Explain the social integration function of society according to functionalists and GAIL?

Answer 8

People must have a sense of belonging to their community, this is achieved through socialisation organisations such as school or the family.

Question 9

Explain the latent needs of society function according to functionalists and GAIL?

Answer 9

Somethings need to be met to ensure stability. For example, people need an outlet to minimise stress to prevent social conflict.

Question 10

Evaluation of the functionalist view of the GAIL needs of society?

Answer 10

Parsons exaggerates the need for each function, Merton argues not every function or institution is vital

Question 11

According to functionalists, what is the value consensus function of society?

Answer 11

The main thing that shapes human behaviour is socialisation into value consensus. This is collection of norms and values which most people agree upon.
Norm = expected behaviour
Value = core beliefs which is agreed upon
Without it, society would fall into a state on anomie or normlesness whereby people no longer know how to behave
Some people do break this, they are called ‘deviant’

Question 12

Evaluation of value consensus theory from functionalists?

Answer 12

Marxists and Feminsts reject the view that society is built upon the shared agreements of key values. Believe society is built upon economic conflict or patriarchy

Question 13

According to functionalists, what is the social integration function of society?

Answer 13

In order to achieve value consensus, people need to feel a sense of belonging to society

Question 14

What two ways is social integration achieved according to functionalists?

Answer 14

• primary and secondary socialisation

- social control

Question 15

According to functionalists, how does primary and secondary socialisation achieve social integration?

Answer 15

People learn about their culture, norms and values through the family and education

Question 16

According to functionalists, how does social control achieve social integration?

Answer 16

Positive sanctions are rewarded to people for following the rules
Negative sanctions to those who breach them, such as fines or jail

Question 17

Evaluation of the social integration view of society according to functionalists?

Answer 17

Social action theorists argue it is deterministic. People are free to chose how to act in situations

Question 18

According to functionalists, what is the social change theory of society?

Answer 18

Society has slowly developed over time.

Question 19

According to functionalists, what was society like in pre industrial times (social change)

Answer 19

Society was built upon a greater sense of community where everyone lived in isolated families. Durkheim calls this ‘mechanical solidarity’, status was ascribed and people were judged by particularistic standards

Question 20

According to functionalists, what was society like in modern times (social change)?

Answer 20

People became increasingly individualistic and communities broke down because of urbanisation. Durkheim calls this ‘organic solidarity’, where people play different roles but are interdependent on each other. Status is achieved and people are judged via universalistic standards

Question 21

According to functionalists, what is structural differentiation (social change)?

Answer 21

Where specialist institutions arose which took responsibility away from the family. School provides education and hospitals provide healthcare
Parsons notes change happens through dynamic equilibrium where social change in one area leads to change in another
For example, women enter workplace, more childcare is needed

Question 22

Evaluation of the social change theory of society put forward by functionalists?

Answer 22

Deterministic in the way social change occurs (gradually and steadily), he assumes universal functionalism. Some groups do rebel however and try to bring about social change rapidly for example the franchise