Right Functionalism Flashcards
1
Q
Right Functionalism
Social Class
A
- Form of statisfcation: organising individuals based on social or economic characteristics.
- Upper class, those with inherited wealth and status in society.
- Middle class, those in non-manual and profession occupations (e.g. doctors).
- Lower/working class, those in manual occupations (e.g. construction workers).
2
Q
Right Functionalism
Measuring Social Class
A
- Different social classes have different cultures - tastes, attributes, attitudes.
- Education and social connections are also a measure of social ties between people.
3
Q
Right Functionalism
Theoretical Views of Social Class
A
- Functionalists suggest society is meritocratic and social mobility is possible.
- Social class inequality is inevitable as not everybody has the skills or attributes to be in higher social classes.
- Marxists argues that social class is dependent upon an individual’s relationship to the means of production - either bourgeoisie or proletariat.
4
Q
Right Functionalism
Beliefs About Class
A
- Functionalism is bases on the premise that all aspects of society serve a purpose.
- All aspects are therefore indispensible for the long-term survival os society.
5
Q
Right Functionalism
Durkheim’s Theory
A
- Main concern was with the analysis of social order.
- How stability is created, how the collective is maintained.
- These concerns were not surprising give the socio-cultural context within with he worked.
- Durkheim’s work was an attempt to engage with the problems of the era, with the intention of creating a solution.
6
Q
Right Functionalism
Basic Ideas
A
- Deviance acts in a positive way to reinforce ideas of right and wrong.
- Deviance provides work.
- Looks for the source of deviance within socity as a whole, rather than the biological explanations or psychological nature of the individual.
7
Q
Right Functionalism
Functions of Crime
A
- Functionalists see society as a stable system based on value consensus (shared norms, beliefs, goals)
- Produces social solidarity that bonds individuals together in a harmonious unit.
- While crime disrupts social stability, functionalists see it as inevitable (inadequate sociability, specialised divisions of labour, diversity/unclear rules of behaviour - anomie).
- Crime is a normal part of all healthy societies.
8
Q
Right Functionalism
Boundary Maintenance
A
- Crime produces a reaction from society, uniting its members against the wrongdoers.
- Reinforcing commitment to the value consensus.
- The function of punishment is to reaffirm shared rules and reinforce solidarity.
9
Q
Right Functionalism
Adaptation to Change
A
- All change starts as deviance.
- Individuals with new ideas must challenge existing norms - which will be views as deviant.
- If this is suppressed, society’s ability to make necessary adaptive changes will stagnate.
10
Q
Right Functionalism
Positive Function of Crime
A
- Safety value: argues prostitution acts as releasement for sexual frustration.
- Warning light: argued deviance indicates an institution is malfunctioning.
- High truancy rates may indicate problems with educational systems.
