SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY - Functionalism

Question 1

What is a perspective (like Functionalism)?

Answer 1

A perspective is a way of interpreting social phenomena; the way in which a sociologist views the world around them through a certain lens!

Question 2

What type of approach is Functionalism?

Answer 2

Functionalism is a structural (macro) consensus approach!

Question 3

What does anomie mean?

Answer 3

A sense of normlessness, uncertainty and confusion over social norms.

Question 4

What is meant by a structural consensus approach?

Answer 4

A structural theory is a theory that says society is controlled by the institutions within it and a consensus theory says that society functions when people have shared norms and values.

Question 5

What does macro mean?

Answer 5

This refers to the way you get your data –> Macro means BIG data in society!

Question 6

What are social facts?

Answer 6

A phenomena which exists outside the individual and independently of their minds, but constrain or mould their behaviour –> Also known as social laws.

Question 7

What sociologist created social facts?

Answer 7

Durkheim - A positivist!

Question 8

What does Parsons call the shared norms and values of society?

Answer 8

Value consensus!

Question 9

What is Functional Unity?

Answer 9

Parsons said that Functional Unity is where all the parts of society are tightly integrated into a single whole or ‘unit’; this suggests that one part of society of functional for the rest (links to Organic Analogy).

Question 10

What is a Functional Prerequisite?

Answer 10

Parsons said a Functional Prerequisite is something in society that is required in order for society to function! Just like the human body needs the brain to survive, society needs these prerequisites.

Question 11

What does the GAIL model stand for?

Answer 11

G - Goal Attainment
A - Adaptation
I - Integration
L - Latency

Question 12

What does Goal Attainment (part of the GAIL model) mean?

Answer 12

Deciding what the need/goals of society are and ensuring that these can be achieved and met - usually through politicians allocating resources

Question 13

What does Adaptation (part of the GAIL model) mean?

Answer 13

Society must adapt to meet the needs of all the individuals within it! The ability of society to provide for the material needs of the population. EXAMPLE = The economy needs to adapt to ensure that these needs are met, ie: through employment

Question 14

What does Integration (part of the GAIL model) mean?

Answer 14

How the population understands the norms and values of society through socialisation.

Question 15

What does Latency (part of the GAIL model) mean?

Answer 15

Individual beliefs and values - this explains how individuals cope in society and is divided into two main areas:

Pattern maintenance = Prepares people for their future roles in society and promotes meritocracy

Tension management = Ability to release tensions - to minimise conflict in society

Question 16

Which term describes the similarities between the human body and society?

Answer 16

Organic analogy!

Question 17

What is the ‘Organic Analogy’?

Answer 17

Durkheim and Parsons = He argued that society is like a human body; both the human body and society have working parts that achieve an overarching goal - Each part of this analogy is each part is necessary to maintain social solidarity (social control and social cohesion); if any ‘organ’ or ‘institution’ have to maintain and work together, in order to keep the ‘body’ or ‘society’ alive and working!

Question 18

According to a sociologist named Merton, what two types of functions exist in society?

Answer 18

Manifest Functions = These are the intended functions of society, which aim to do good for society.

Latent functions = Unintended functions and they can have both positive and negative impact on society).

Question 19

Do manifest functions have obvious or non-obvious outcomes?

Answer 19

OBVIOUS - Manifest functions are the INTENDED functions/outcomes of an institution or activity!

Question 20

Do latent functions have obvious or non-obvious outcomes?

Answer 20

NON-OBVIOUS - Latent functions are the UNINTENDED functions/outcomes of an institution or activity!

Question 21

What example did Merton use for the Manifest/Latent functions?

Answer 21

The example of the Hopi Tribe - This tribe would perform rain dances to make it rain when it was dry.

Manifest function - Performing rain dances to produce rain!

Latent function - The activity would promote hope and solidarity within the tribe during difficult times.

Question 22

What term does Durkheim use that described the selfishness that he suggests needs to be avoided in society?

Answer 22

Egoistic attitdes!

Question 23

What are the 3 strengths of functionalism? HINT: Shaping people, social solidarity, first perspective!

Answer 23

• It recognises the influence of social institutions in SHAPING an individual.
• Functionalism’s overall goal it to promote and maintain social solidarity and order - an overly POSITIVE outcome!
• It was the FIRST PERSPECTIVE and explained how people could be influenced by society! The organic analogy by Parsons and Durkheim helps us understand how different parts of society work together.

Question 24

Summarise Merton’s internal critiques of Parsons regarding relative autonomy!

Answer 24

MERTON (INTERNAL CRITIQUE) = Suggests that some institutions can be independent of others (relative autonomy).

Question 25

Who did Merton internally critique?

Answer 25

He internally critiqued another functionalist, Parsons!

Question 26

What were Merton’s 4 arguments against Parsons’ ideas?

Answer 26

1. Parsons’ ideas were too simplistic (Manifest and Latent Functions).
2. Merton said that some parts of society could be replaced d with another that could do the job just as well (Functional Alternatives)
3. Parsons says that there is functional unity in society, whilst Merton disagrees! (Functional Autonomy)
4. Parsons says that there is ‘Universal functionalism’ in society, whilst Merton disagrees and says that whilst one thing may be functional for one person, it may be dysfunctional for another!

Question 27

What is Functional Autonomy?

Answer 27

Merton said that Functional Autonomy is the opposite of Functional Unity - This is where the institutions and parts of society have independence from one another!

Question 28

What are Functional Alternatives?

Answer 28

Merton says these are alternatives to the institutions in society; these alternatives may perform just as good of a job as the other institutions. EG: Do single-parent families have better primary socialisation for children in comparison to the nuclear family?

Question 29

What is the Feminist Critique of Functionalism?

Answer 29

FEMINIST CRITIQUE = Functionalism ignores GENDER inequalities!

Question 30

What is the Marxist Critique of Functionalism?

Answer 30

MARXIST CRITIQUE = Functionalism ignores SOCIAL CLASS inequalities (perhaps functionalism is too positive)!

Question 31

Give 2 criticisms of Functionalism. HINT: Overly positive and over-emphasising value consensus.

Answer 31

Functionalism seems to be OVERLY POSITIVE - It ignores exploitation of certain classes and groups, EG: Women!

Functionalism may OVER-EMPHASISE the amount of consensus and agreement within society (is there truly a value consensus?)