Theories pt 2

Question 1

(FUNC.) identify Parson’s 3 similarities between society and a biological organism (organic analogy)

Answer 1

• system
• system needs
• functions

Question 2

(FUNC.) outline system as a similarity between society and a biological organism

Answer 2

• the human body and society are both self regulating systems of independent parts that work together (organs - institutions)

Question 3

(FUNC.) outline system needs as a similarity between society and a biological organism

Answer 3

• organisms and the social system have needs that must be met to survive
• e.g. members must be socialised

Question 4

(FUNC.) outline functions as a similarity between society and a biological organism

Answer 4

• the function of a system it makes to meet the system needs ensures its survival
• e.g. the circulatory system carries oxygen + nutrients to the tissues and the economy helps maintain social order by meeting the need for food and shelter

Question 5

(FUNC.) how does Parsons think social order is achieved

Answer 5

• it is achieved through the existence of a central value system (a shared culture) as it provides a framework for individuals to cooperate through how they should behave etc
• social order is only possible as long as members of society agree on these norms + values (value consensus)

Question 5

(FUNC.) what is the function of the value consensus

Answer 5

• to make social order possible through integrating individuals into society, thus meeting the system’s needs
• e.g. system has to ensure peoples material needs are met, and so with the consensus would value the need for people to work

Question 6

(FUNC.) what are the 2 ways Parsons says the system enforces a value consensus

Answer 6

• socialisation
• social control

Question 7

(FUNC.) how does socialisation ensures individuals to conform to the value consensus

Answer 7

• through socialisation, individuals internalise the systems norms and values so that society becomes part of their personality structure

Question 8

(FUNC.) how does social control ensure individuals to conform to the value consensus

Answer 8

• positive sanctions reward conformity, whilst negative ones punish deviance
• e.g. those who conform to the norm of individual success through education are rewarded with educational certificates whilst those who deviate are stigmatised

Question 9

(FUNC.) outline the second half of Parsons ‘building block’ model for describing the parts of the social system

Answer 9

• instututions are grouped to form sub-systems; e.g. shops
• these form the economic sub-system; whose function is to meet socitiy’s material needs
• finally these sub-systems make up the social system

Question 9

(FUNC.) outline the first half of Parsons ‘building block’ model for describing the parts of the social system

Answer 9

• at the bottom, is individual actions; each action is governed by a social norm/ rule
• these norms come in clusters called status-roles; statuses are the positions that exist in a given social system - e.g. teacher
• status-roles also come in clusters, known as institutions; e.g. the family

Question 10

(FUNC.) outline the A in Parson’s AGIL schema

Answer 10

• Adaption: the social system meets its members’ material needs through the economic sub-system

Question 10

(FUNC.) define Parsons AGIL schema to outline the sub-systems needed to meet societies needs

Answer 10

• Adaption
• Goal attainment
• Integration
• Latency

Question 11

(FUNC.) outline the I in Parson’s AGIL schema

Answer 11

• Integration: the separate parts of the system must be integrated together to pursue shared goals. this is the role of the sub-system of religion, education and media

Question 12

(FUNC.) outline the G in Parson’s AGIL schema

Answer 12

• Goal attainment: society needs to set goals and allocate resources to achieve them. this is the function of the political sub-system, through institutions like parliament

Question 13

(FUNC.) outline the L in Parson’s AGIL schema

Answer 13

• Latency: refers to the processes that maintain society over time. the kinship sub system provides pattern maintenance and tension management

Question 14

(FUNC.) define pattern maintenance and tension management in relation to Latency in Parsons AGIL schema

Question 15

(FUNC.)

Question 16

(FUNC.)