Theories - Functionalism Flashcards
The theories of society
- Divided into structural (macro) and social action/interpretivists (micro) approaches
- two types of structural theories - functionalism or consensus theory and conflict theories
- bottom up approach
The roots of functionalism
- can be traced back to Durkheim in the 19th century.
- talcott parsons developed functionalism as a systematic theory of society in mid 20th century
- functionalism is a macro, structural theory
- the needs of a social system as a whole - how these needs shape the main feature of society
- consensus approach
- modernist theory
- they believe we can obtain true knowledge of the functioning of society and this knowledge of the functioning of society and this knowledge in turn can be used to improve society
Durkheim
- concerned with rapid social change and the transition to industrial society
- traditional society = little division of labour, strong collective conscience
- modern society = bigger division of labour, promotes differences between groups, weakens social solidarity.
- Anomie
- society exists above and beyond its members
- social facts can be explained in terms of their functions - basic principle of functionalist analysis
The society as a system
- organic analogy
- parsons identifies 3 similarities between society and biological organism
1. System - where the organisms are self regulating systems to inter related, interdependent parts that fit together
2. Systems needs - organisms have needs. If these are not met, the organism will die. In order for society to survive it needs its members to be socialised
3. Functions - function of any part of the system is the contribution it makes to meeting the systems needs and therefore survival
How is social order possible?
Social order is achieved through shared culture to ‘central value system’
Value consensus and social order
Culture = set of norms, values, beliefs and goals shared by members of society
- only possible if members agrees on the norms and values
- value consensus
- the glue that holds society together
Integration of individuals
- value consensus makes social order possible
- integrates individuals into social system = steers them towards meeting systems needs
Parsons 2 mechanisms for ensuring conformity
- Socialisations - society ensures its needs are met by teaching individuals to want to do what it requires of them. Individuals internalised the systems norms and values. Different agencies contribute to this process
- Social control - positive sanctions reward conformity, negative ones punish deviancy
- individuals oriented towards pursuing society’s shared goals and meeting needs. Behaviour is stable and predictable
The systems needs
- goal attainment - social needs to set goals and allocate resources to achieve them. Function of the political sub systems
- adaptation - social system meets its members material needs through economic sub systems (these two are seen as instrumental needs)
- integration - different parts of the system must be integrated together to pursue shared goals. Done through sub systems or religion, education and the media
- latency - processes that maintain society. Kinship sub system provides pattern maintenance and tension management (these two are seen as expressive needs)
Social change
- two types of society - traditional and modern
- modern society = pursuit of individual self interest, achievement of status and judged by universalistic standards
- structural differentiation - a gradual process in which separate functionally specialised institutions develop, each meeting a different need
- moving equilibrium - as a change occurs in one part of systems it produces compensatory changes in other parts
Mertons internal critique of functionalism
Merton - key function. Most critical of parsons systems theory and criticises 3 key assumptions:
1. Indispensability- parsons assumes that everything in society is functionally indispensable in its existing form. Merton argues this is an untested assumption. He suggests there could be ‘functional alternatives’
2. Functional unity - parsons assumes all parts of society are tightly integrated each part is functional for the rest. Change in one part will have a knock on effect on the rest. Merton argues that this not necessarily true - ‘functional autonomy’
- universal functionalism - parsons assumes everything in society performs a positive function. The ides of dysfunction introduces the idea that there may br conflicts of interest. Some groups may be able to keep arrangements in place that benefits them at the expense of others. Conflict theorist develop this further.
Merton argues we cannot assume the society is always a smooth running, well integrated system.
Manifest and latent functions
- Merton provides distinction between manifest and latent functions
- manifest function = produce rain
- latent functions = promotes solidarity
- helps us to reveal the hidden connections between social phenomena which the social actors may not be aware of themselves
Logical criticisms
- teleological- the idea that things exist because of their effect or function. E.g the family exits because of the need to socialise children. The existence of the family is explained in the terms of its effect
- critics say an explanation should be one thing that identifies its cause
- unscientific- functionalists theories are not falsifiable. The functionalists theory cannot be disproved. E.g deviancy is seen as both functional and dysfunctional
Conflict perspective criticisms
- functionalism doesn’t explain conflict and change
- Marxist - society is not harmonious as a whole
- stability only comes because dominant class is able to prevent change
Shared values are a ‘cloak’ that conceal the interest of dominant class - conservative ideology legitimating Staus quo
Actions perspective criticisms
- functionalism is a deterministic view of the individual. Individuals is a deterministic view of the individual. Individuals have no free will or choice. They are socialised to behave in a way that meets the systems needs
- action theory sees it that individuals create society by their interactions
