Theory and Methods- Functionalism and New Right

Question 1

How do structural theories view society?

Answer 1

As a whole system made up of different parts that mesh together

Question 2

What is Parsons’ organic analogy?

Answer 2

It shows how society acts like a living organism- an organism has a series or organs that are interconnected and interdependent and Parsons says society is made up of interconnected and interdependent parts

Question 3

Why do functionalists describe change as evolutionary?

Answer 3

If there’s a change in one part of society, other parts will slowly evolve to adapt to this change

Question 4

What is the effect of social ills?

Answer 4

They can gradually ‘infect’ other parts of society

Question 5

What does value consensus mean?

Answer 5

Interrelations between the various parts of society can only happen because all members of society agree on values and norms

Question 6

How do individuals receive agreed values and norms? (2 ways)

Answer 6

• Socialisation
• Social control, conformity is rewarded and non-conformity is sanctioned

Question 7

What is an anomie?

Answer 7

A state of moral confusion and social instability that’s bad for individuals and society

Question 8

Who suggested the concept of anomie?

Answer 8

Durkheim

Question 9

How can an anomie be brought about?

Answer 9

If society changes too quickly and norms are lost before new ones are created

Question 10

What is the AGIL schema?

Answer 10

Adaptation (economic subsystem)
Goal attainment (political subsystem)
Integration (cultural subsystem)
Latency (kinship subsystem)

Question 11

What are the material instrumental needs?

Answer 11

Adaptation and goal attainment

Question 12

What are the emotional expressive needs?

Answer 12

Integration and latency

Question 13

Who were the early functionalists?

Answer 13

Comte, Durkheim and Parsons

Question 14

What kind of theory is functionalism?

Answer 14

Macro-theory

Question 15

Why is functionalism useful?

Answer 15

To show how the main institutions of society are linked to each other

Question 16

How does Durkheim’s study of suicide help to explain activities and actions that superficially seem unusual or strange?

Answer 16

He argues that the social structure and problems in the modern world cause people to commit suicide, what seems to be an individual act is actually part of a wider social picture

Question 17

How does Merton internally criticise functionalism for its focus on harmony and cooperation?

Answer 17

He argues that some things that are functional for one group may cause problems for another

Question 18

How does Wrong (action theorist) criticise functionalism?

Answer 18

He argues that functionalists give too much importance to the role of society in determining people’s behaviour

Question 19

How is functionalism criticised for trying to see a positive purpose in all aspects of society?

Answer 19

Durkheim claimed that if a social phenomenon didn’t fulfil a function, it wouldn’t exist

Question 20

Why do conflict theorists criticise functionalism?

Answer 20

Functionalists say that conflict in society is minimal because people accept that inequality is inevitable but conflict theorists see functionalism as a conservative approach to society that upholds inequality and injustice. Problems suffered by working classes, women and ethnic minorities haven’t been adequately explained and justified by functionalism

Question 21

How is the idea of meritocracy criticised?

Answer 21

Suggests that society is already fair so it’s pointless trying to make things more equal

Question 22

How do postmodernists criticise functionalism?

Answer 22

They argue that society is too diverse for functionalism to be relevant and they say the idea of value consensus can’t account for the variety of lifestyles and values in postmodern society

Question 23

What does the New Right believe?

Answer 23

Traditional institutions and values in society are what maintain social order

Question 24

What do New Right thinkers say about the family?

Answer 24

It is one of the most important social institutions as the family socialises children into traditional norms and values and reinforces traditional gender roles (they believe these roles are essential for society’s stability)

Question 25

What do New Right sociologists favour?

Answer 25

The nuclear family and marriage is crucial

Question 26

Why does the New Right believe that society is breaking down?

Answer 26

Due to a decline in traditional moral standards- they blame changes in family structure, an over-generous welfare state and too much sexual freedom

Question 27

How do feminists criticise the New Right?

Answer 27

For wanting to focus on marriage and children and not work outside the home- this is harmful to women’s rights

Question 28

How do Abbott and Wallace criticise the New Right?

Answer 28

New Right theorists are wrong to prioritise marriage so much because some women feel trapped in unhappy or abusive marriages

Question 29

What do feminists argue about New Right thinking?

Answer 29

It is an attempt to justify a patriarchal society