Theory

Question 1

Functionalism - value consensus

Answer 1

Parsons - social order is achieved through the existence of a shared culture or a central value. Social order is only possible so long as memebers of society agree to norms and values

Completed through socialisation and social control

Question 2

Social change

Answer 2

Functionalism

Parsons - tradition and modern

Modern - pursue individual self interest achieve our status and are all judges by the same universalistic values

Traditional - put collective interests first status is slascribed and judged by particularistic values

Society evolves slowly - organic analogy - societies move from simple to complex structures leading to structural differentiation

Question 3

Marxist critique of functionalism

Answer 3

Unable to explain conflict - society is not harmonious and is actually based on exploitation of the wc - stability is simply the result of the dominant class being able to prevent change by using coercion and ideological manipulation

Question 4

Criticism of functionalism - Postmodernist

Answer 4

Argue functionalism aaaumes society is stable so cannot account for the diversity and instability in today’s postmodern society

Functionalism is an example of a meta narrative that attempts to create a model of the workings of society as a whole but this is no longer possible because today’s society is increasingly fragmented