Functionalists sociologists

Question 1

What did Parsons (1955) argue?

Answer 1

That the nuclear family is essential for modern industrial society due to its functions like socialisation and stabilisation of adult personalities

Question 2

What key things did Parsons (1955) identify?

Answer 2

Primary socialisation
Stabilisation of adult personalities
Geographically and Socially mobile workforces
Nuclear and extended family structures

Question 3

What is the evaluation of Parsons (1955)?

Answer 3

Down plays the role of conflict in society and is outdated

Question 4

What did Murdock (1949) identify?

Answer 4

4 key functions of the family: Sexual regulation, reproduction, economic support and socialisation

Question 5

What is the evaluation of Murdock (1949)?

Answer 5

Deterministic, neglects conflict and exploitation

Question 6

What did Young and Willmott (1973) study?

Answer 6

Family structures and found a move towards symmetrical families, with men and women sharing more roles equally

Question 7

What did Fletcher highlight?

Answer 7

The importance of the family in fulfilling essential social functions, arguing that its role has evolved and strengthened in modern society

Question 8

What did Laslett (1972) study?

Answer 8

English households from 1564 to 1821 and found that they were almost always nuclear