Functionalist Theory

Question 1

Define

Answer 1

Functionalism is a Structural/Systems Theory - it focuses on the needs of the social system as a whole; it is a consensus theory – it sees society as based on shared values; it is also a modernist theory – it believes that research can find the truth and lead to progress.
Functionalism is closely related to the New Right and Modernisation Theory.

Question 2

Introduction/ Society as a System

Answer 2

 Historical Context: the 1890s to the 1950s
 Parsons uses the term ‘organic analogy’ to describe society.
 Parsons sees three similarities between society and a biological organism: both are self-
regulating, both have needs, both have sub-systems which perform specific functions.

Question 3

Emile Durkheim’s Functionalism (1858 – 1917) –

Answer 3

The first ever ‘Sociologist’
 Concerned with understanding rapid social change brought about with industrialisation
 Traditional society based on ‘mechanical solidarity’ and strong collective conscience
 Industrial society = more complex causes change and anomie, challenge of modernity = how to achieve ‘organic solidarity’
 Society exists as a separate entity above its members, as a system of ‘social facts’. It affects people irrespective of their individual thoughts and feelings.
 Studied suicide to illustrate the above.

Question 4

Talcott Parson’s Functionalism

Answer 4

 Society is based on value consensus and social order
 Society needs individuals to be integrated – this is achieved through socialisation and social control
 The social system has four basic needs: instrumental (adaptation and goal attainment) and expressive (integration and latency)
 Social change is gradual and evolutionary/ progressive – societies gradually evolve by moving from simple to more complex and larger structures.

Question 5

Robert Merton’s Functionalism

Answer 5

• Merton’s Three Internal Critiques of Functionalism: Not everything is necessary; not everything is interconnected; some institutions are dysfunctional
• Merton’s ideas of Latent and Manifest Functions: Intended and unintended (so functions may be more complex than Parson’s suggests)

Question 6

Overall Evaluations of Functionalism (positive)

Answer 6

 Durkheim’s study on suicide – trends still true today
 Governments view society as a system
 Development theorists view society as a system.

Question 7

Overall Evaluations of Functionalism (negative)

Answer 7

X – Logical Criticisms – Functionalism is teleological – it explains an institutions existence in terms of its effect, and the effect may not be necessary.
X - Conflict Perspectives – Functionalism ignores power inequality and exploitation
X - Action Perspectives – Functionalism is deterministic
X - Postmodernist Critiques – society is not as stable, orderly, or predictable as Functionalists suggest.