THEORIES- FUNCTIONALISM Flashcards
What is Functionalism?
Functionalism is a macro, structural theory that examines how the social system works as a whole. It studies how social institutions (e.g., family, education, religion, mass media) shape individuals’ behavior. It aims to provide a complete theory of society.
What type of theory is Functionalism?
Functionalism is a consensus theory. It sees society as based on agreement among its members on shared values.
What methodology does Functionalism adopt?
Functionalism adopts the Positivist methodology, arguing that:
Society can be studied objectively.
Objective study provides truths about the functioning of society.
These truths can be used to improve society.
Who are the key figures in the development of Functionalism?
Émile Durkheim: Introduced foundational ideas in the 19th century.
Talcott Parsons: Developed the theory further in the 20th century.
Robert Merton: Critiqued and expanded on Parsons’ work.
What is the organic analogy in Functionalism?
Parsons compared society to a human body, highlighting three similarities:
Interrelated parts: Society (social institutions) and the body (organs) are systems of interdependent parts.
Needs: Both need essentials to survive (e.g., society needs socialization, the body needs nourishment).
Functions: Each part performs specific roles (e.g., family = socialization, heart = pumping blood).
How does Functionalism explain value consensus and social order?
Parsons argued that:
Society achieves social order through value consensus, where members share the same culture (norms, values, beliefs, and goals).
Value consensus is maintained through:
Socialization: Institutions like family and
education internalize norms and values.
Social control: Rewards and sanctions (formal and informal) orient individuals toward shared goals.
What are the parts of the social system, according to Parsons?
The social system consists of:
Sub-systems: E.g., education.
Institutions: E.g., schools.
Status roles: E.g., teacher.
Individual actions: E.g., being fair.
What are the system’s needs (functional prerequisites) identified by Parsons?
Parsons identified four needs met by different sub-systems:
Adaptation: Material needs (food, shelter) met by the economic sub-system.
Goal Attainment: Decision-making and goal-setting by the political sub-system.
Integration: Value consensus through family, education, and religion.
Latency: Maintaining society over time, including emotional regulation.
How are system needs categorized?
Instrumental needs: Adaptation and goal attainment (means to an end, e.g., food production).
Expressive needs: Integration and latency (expression or regulation of emotions).
What functions do social institutions perform, according to Parsons?
Family: Primary socialization and stabilization of adult personalities.
Education: Secondary socialization and acts as a bridge between family and society.
Religion: Promotes value consensus and social solidarity.
Crime: Reinforces societal norms by highlighting deviance (details unfinished).
How does Parsons explain social change, from traditional to modern?
Societies transition from traditional to modern through:
Structural differentiation: Functions once performed by one institution (e.g., family) are taken over by specialized institutions (e.g., education, welfare).
Dynamic equilibrium: A change in one part of the system leads to changes in others (e.g., economic shift from agriculture to industry changes family structure).
Norms and values differ:
Traditional societies: Collectivism, ascribed status, particularistic standards.
Modern societies: Individualism, achieved status, universalistic standards.
What criticisms does Merton make of Parsons’ assumptions?
Indispensability: Parsons assumes all institutions are indispensable. Merton argues there are functional alternatives (e.g., foster care for primary socialization).
Functional unity: Parsons assumes all parts of society are interdependent. Merton points out functional autonomy (e.g., banking and sports rules).
Universal functionalism: Parsons assumes all aspects of society are functional. Merton argues some are dysfunctional (e.g., industrialization causing pollution).
What are manifest and latent functions, according to Merton?
Manifest functions: The intended, obvious purpose of an action.
Latent functions: The unintended, hidden purpose of an action.
Example: The manifest function of a hospital is curing illness; its latent function might be meeting potential partners. A dysfunctional effect could be spreading infections like MRSA.
Merton offered the example of the Hopi Americans engaging in ceremonial dances to encourage rain in order to illustrate latency function.
According to Robert Merton, the rain dance ceremony of Hopi culture promoting the cohesion of Hopi society is an example of a latent function. Latent functions are the unsought consequences of a social process. The Hopi rain dance ceremony might be primarily intended to bring rain, but a latent function of this ceremony is that it reinforces social ties and mutual support among the Hopi people, thus contributing to the cohesion of their society.
What are the strengths of Merton’s approach?
Merton highlights that:
Functions can be both functional and dysfunctional.
Functions can have direct, intended purposes (manifest) and indirect, unintended purposes (latent).
What are the criticisms of Functionalism?
Deterministic: Overemphasizes the influence of society on individuals, ignoring free will.
Over-socialised view: Assumes everyone shares the same norms and values, ignoring resistance to socialization.
Ignores dysfunction: Overlooks negative aspects like domestic abuse.
Teleological: Explains institutions by their effects rather than their causes.
Conflict perspective: Marxists argue that society is based on exploitation, not harmony, maintained through coercion and ruling-class ideology.
Action perspective: Claims Functionalism ignores individual free will (Wrong’s critique).
Postmodernist critique: Argues Functionalism is outdated, ignoring societal diversity and instability in postmodernity.
