Theory And Methods

Question 1

Which sociologist came up with the key ideas of functionalism?

Answer 1

Parsons

Question 2

What is the organic analogy and what are the three similarities mentioned by Parsons?

Answer 2

The organic analogy is the idea that society and organisms are similar in three ways:
1. They are both self regulating systems of inter-related parts
eg the body has organs, society has institutions
2. They both have system needs
eg organisms need nutrition, society needs socialisation
3. They both have functions
eg the body has the circulatory system to carry nutrients, the economy maintains the social system by meeting the need for food and shelter

Question 3

What is a culture?

Answer 3

A set of norms, values, beliefs and goals shared by members of a society

Question 4

What is value consensus?

Answer 4

Agreeing on the norms and values of society. The glue which holds society together.

Question 5

What is social order?

Answer 5

Social order is achieved through the existence of a shared culture with everyone agreeing on the norms and values.

Question 6

How does the integration of individuals take place? (2 ways)

Answer 6

1. Socialisation
   Individuals internalise the systems norms.
2. Social control
   The use of positive and negative sanctions to control individuals.

Question 7

What are the parts of the social system

Answer 7

Social system I
Sub systems V
Institutions I
Status roles V
Individual actions V

Question 8

What are the system’s needs?

Answer 8

AGIL Schema:
- Adaptation (instrumental need)
economic subsystem meets material needs
- Goal attainment (instrumental need)
political subsystem sets goals and allocated resources to achieve them
- Integration (expressive need)
the subsystems of religion, education and media integrate the parts of the system
- Latency (expressive need)
The kinship subsystem provides
-> pattern maintenance
-> tension management

Question 9

What are the two types of society?

Answer 9

Modern
• individual self interest
• achieved status
• universalistic standards

Traditional
• collective interests
• ascribed status
• particularistic standards

Question 10

How does Parsons describe social change?

Answer 10

• Change is a gradual, evolutionary process with society becoming complex
• The kinship system perform many functions and meet the system’s needs.
• Society develops and the kinship system loses these functions - structural differentiation
• Gradual change occurs through a moving equilibrium- change in one part produces change in other parts

Question 11

Which sociologist critiques Parsons?

Answer 11

Merton

Question 12

What are the internal critiques of functionalism?

Answer 12

Merton criticises 3 of Parson’s assumptions:
1. Indispensability
not everything is functionally indispensable; there are functional alternatives
2. Functional unity
not all parts of society are a unified whole, some have functional autonomy
3. Universal functionalism
not everything in society performs a positive function, there may be a conflict of interest with some groups disadvantaged

Question 13

What are the external critiques of functionalism?

Answer 13

1. Logical
   Functionalism is teleological and unscientific
2. Action
   WRONG says it is deterministic
   It reifies society
3. Conflict
   Marxists say it is unable to explain conflict and change
   Conflict theorists say it is a conservative ideology
4. Postmodernist
   Assumes society is stable and orderly
   Meta narrative