Lecture 2 - Functionalism Flashcards
What is Functionalist Theory also known as?
Structural functionalism or consensus theory
Sociology provides a framework within which to view..
Social Problems
What Theory presents a macro view of society and focuses on large structures that shape society?
Functionalism
What categories do social structures comprise of?
Institutions
Social groups
Statuses
Roles
Main social institutions?
Family
Religion
Politics
Economics
Education
What is the glue that holds society together?
Social stability
(Stable equilibrium within society)
Consensus
(Agreement within society (about norms and values))
Solidarity
(Mutual support within society)
Functionalism Is the opposite of:
Dysfunctional
What are the two functions of social institutions?
- Manifest functions
- Latent functions
What is a manifest function?
Intended function
What is a latent function?
Unintended function
In the example of the education system, what are manifest functions and latent functions?
Manifest function: Learning maths, science etc
Latent function: Socialising and making friends or alienation
Functionalists or functional theorists describe ways of “seeing society” using a —— perspective
Structural - functionalists perspective
What century were early functionalism theorists writing and why?
18th and 19th century in a time of industrialisation and rapid social change in Europe.
(Theories were developed in an attempt to indeed stand this period and rapid social change)
What early functionalism theorist coined the term positivism?
August Comte
1798 - 1857
What early functionalism theorist was an English philosopher that saw society as an organism like the human body? References made to social Darwinism
Herbert Spencer
1820 - 1903
What French sociologist is the most important sociologist for functionalism as a starting point (in the lecturers words) that held the following beliefs:
- Solidarity holds society together
- 2 ways of describing solidarity are mechanical and organic
- introduced idea of collective consciousness (norms beliefs and values)
- introduced idea of anomie: a state of normlessness or lack of the collective consciousness
Emile Durkheim
1858 - 1917
Social facts is defined as:
The beliefs, tendencies and practices of the group taken collectively
Are all social problems social facts?
Yes
What are 2 examples of a social fact?
Divorce and addiction
What is Mechanical solidarity
Feel connected through similarities (work, religion, lifestyle and familial networks)
Eg. Traditional farming society
What is organic solidarity?
Complex societies, interdependence of component parts.
Eg. Modern society, production - like people flat sharing in cities, people working together and living together that wouldn’t normally or don’t have much in common
What is the collective conscious?
Shared norms and beliefs eg marriage, ‘fair go’ and ‘the American dream’
What is an anomie or ‘normlessness’?
Lack of collective conscious
Can happen after a big upheaval eg natural disaster, economic downturn, forced migration
“Social ties and cohesion produced by the functional and social interdependence of individuals and groups in modern society”
Is called?
Organic solidarity
“A society’s collectively shared beliefs and sentiments; has authority over social conduct”
Is what?
Collective consciousness
“When norms become weak or are in conflict with each other, society is in a state of ————-, or normlessness”
Anomie
What functionalism theorist coined the bicycle wheel analogy ( that society is made up of independent but interdependent parts - like wheel spokes - one spoke breaks and the wheel malfunctions)
Talcott Parsons
What criticisms did Talcott Parsons theories on functionalism face?
His ideas were too rigid and too conservative
What are the four subsystems that Talcott Parsons integrate into his theory regarding society?
Adaptation
(Economic subsystem)
Integration
(Legal subsystem)
Goal Attainment
(Political subsystem)
Latency
(Cultural subsystem)
What Functionalism Theorist developed Manifest and Latent functions and dysfunctions, functional alternatives, strain theory and strain between culture and structure?
Robert Merton (1910 - 2003)
What is known as “the paradigm of deviant behaviour”?
Strain theory
Disjuncture between institutionalised means and cultural goals like the ‘American dream’ creates strain, which leads to crime and deviance. What is an example of this?
Mafia
Pablo Escobar using illegal ways to rise to the top
Great Gatsby - Jay Gatsby goes from rags to riches using illegal routes
Functionalism has been a catalyst for what type of structure that has flowed through our society?
Capitalist structure
Social pathology
Social problems result from some ‘sickness’ in society. Society becomes ill when it’s parts or elements no longer function properly. Give an example:
Poverty results from institutional break down (economic, government and family institutions)
Social disorganisation:
Rapid social change disrupts the norms in society creating a state of anomie (normlessness). When norms are weak social problems can arise. Give an example:
The break down of a family leads to normlessness: stress drug use etc
Could be argued going to university can create social disorganisation if away from family and structure that one has been accustomed to.
Crime interestingly serves a function in society. What possible functions could Social Problems (ie crime) serve in society?
Demonstrates the limits of acceptable behaviour
Severe punishment for those who breach our most cherished values
Some criminal activity may lead to society change (apartheid)
Indicates that society is not overly repressive
Social problems can be functional or dysfunctional. For the example of homelessness who is it functional and dysfunctional for?
It is functional for:
Organisations are created like Centrelink etc
It is dysfunctional for homeless people, councils etc
What are the criticisms of functionalism
Ignores influences of wealth and power on the formation of society
Assumes the ‘balance point of society is fair’
Fails to recognise how inequalities can cause imbalance in society
Less considerate for the individual - is focus on macro structure
Critical thinking - for whom is the system functional?
How can functionalism explain illegal drug use?
Illegal drug use as a response to weakening societal norms and consensus regarding acceptable behaviour
Anomie May exist at the societal level, resulting in strains that lead to drug use
Anomie May exist at the individual level, resulting in feeling of estrangement and isolation
Illegal drug use as a response to the absence of a bind between the individual and society
What sociologist coined the term ‘symbolic interactionism’ which focuses on the micro perspective
Herbert blumer.
He argued that human beings act towards things based on the meanings attached to them, founded the idea that we are all social beings (building ideas from George H Mead)
What sociologist focussed on the link between private troubles and public issues?
Charles Wright Mills
