THEORY AND METHODS

Question 1

What is mechanical solidarity?

Answer 1

A form of moral regulation based on shared values

Question 2

What is organic solidarity?

Answer 2

A form of solidarity based on the interdependence of a specialised division of labour

Question 3

What is collective conscience?

Answer 3

Shared norms, values, beliefs and knowledge that make social life and cooperation between individuals possible

Question 4

What are functional prerequisites?

Answer 4

Basic needs that must be met if society is to survive

Question 5

What are the instrumental needs?

Answer 5

Setting and achieing basic social goals and needs

Question 6

What are expressive needs?

Answer 6

Expression or channeling of emotions, maintaining solidaity

Question 7

What’s the term for various systems of society remining in balance and working well?

Answer 7

Social Equilibrium

Question 8

2 examples of Parson’s 5 sets of norms differing in traditional and modern societies

Answer 8

1. Particularism - Universalism: - Particularism - treating everyone differently e.g. employing family members
   - Universalism - treating everyone the same e.g. employing the best person
2. Collective orinetation - Self-orientation
   - Collective orientation - putting group’s interests first
   - Self-orientation - pursuing one’s self-interest

Question 9

What do functionalists call sub-systems?

Answer 9

Social institutions like family and education satisfying functional pre-requisites

Question 10

What is the example of a type of suicide from Durkheim’s suicide study?

Answer 10

Fatalistic suicide - resulted from too much regulation in pre-industrial societies, such as suicide of slaves

Question 11

What’s the example for Parsons’ organic analogy?

Answer 11

Each organ has a specialised function. Stomach = disgestion
Each institution has a specialised function. Economy = food and shelter

Question 12

What are the 4 parts of Parsons’ GAIL system?

Answer 12

1. Goal attainment - society sets goals and allocates resources to achieve them
2. Adaptation - material needs and resources to achieve goals
3. Integration - coordinating all parts → shared goals & a sense of belongingness
4. Latency (pattern maintenance) - maintaining society over time, preserving commitment to culture and pattern of values

Question 13

What are the 3 Mertin’s (neo-functionalism) criticisms of functionalism

Answer 13

1. functional indispensability → functional alternatives
2. functional unity → functional autonomy
3. functional universalism → dysfunction

examples:
1. primary socialisation by nuclear family → one-parent family
2. education system becomes less effective = effect on the job market → no connection between manking and the rules of netball