Theory and Methods-Perspectives (Functionalism) (2)

Question 1

What is Functionalism?

Answer 1

-Sees society as a system in which the parts, the structure, direct the behaviour of its members.
-It is a consensus theory.

Question 2

What did Emile Durkheim focus on?

Answer 2

-analysis of functions.
-on social order and social solidarity.

Question 3

What does Durkheim assume?

Answer 3

-society has basic needs which must be met in order to function.

Question 4

What does Durkheim say is the main function of society’s parts?

Answer 4

-“essential similarities which collective life demands.

Question 5

What are the “essential similarities”?

Answer 5

-cooperation
-unity
-social order.

Question 6

What does Durkheim question?

Answer 6

-how groups of society can be brought together to form an ordered society.

Question 7

What has to be “present in an individual”?

Answer 7

-society

Question 8

What is a collective conscience?

Answer 8

-Shared morality
-It binds members of society together
-Makes social solidarity.

Question 9

What does Durkheim see that reinforces shared morality?

Answer 9

-Religion
} strengthens social obligations -> sacred terms.

Question 10

What does Parsons question?

Answer 10

-How social order is possible

Question 11

What was Parson’s answer to his question?

Answer 11

-Value consensus.
}an agreement of members of society about values.

Question 12

If society was committed to the same values what will they share? (Parsons)

Answer 12

• a common identity
  } provides a basis for unity + cooperation.

Question 13

What does value consensus lead to? (Parsons)

Answer 13

• state of equilibrium

Question 14

What were the two ways in which social ⇌ was maintained?

Answer 14

-socialisation
} transmission of society’s values.
} primary function of family + lesser ext. of the education system.

-social control
} from police through dis/approval of family + friends.

Question 15

What does Parson see society as?

Answer 15

• A system of GAIL.

Question 16

What does GAIL stand for?

Answer 16

Goal attainment:
~decides what goals society as a whole should achieve.

ADAPTATION:
~adapt to the environment and the production of goods and services.

INTEGRATION:
~achieve social cohesion.

LATENCY:
~socialise the young into shared values.

Question 17

What does Parsons think about social change?

Answer 17

-no social system in perfect state of ⇌
-certain ° of ⇌ needed for survival of societies.
- moving ⇌

Question 18

What does Merton question?

Answer 18

-some parts of functionalism
-all parts of the social system are functional for the entire system } universal functionalism.

Question 19

Why is universal functionalism doubtful?

Answer 19

-society has various faiths,
} religions may divide than unite.

Question 20

What are the 3 parts a society could be according to Merton?

Answer 20

-Functional- beneficial to society.

-Dysfunctional- harmful to society.

-Non-functional- may have no effect on society.

Question 21

What does indispensable mean? (Merton)

Answer 21

• society cannot operate without them.

Question 22

What does Merton argue about functional prerequisites?

Answer 22

• a wide range of functional alternatives may be able to perform the same task.

Question 23

What does Merton also argue?

Answer 23

-the assumptions of UF and I should not be taken for granted. -> should not be assumed

-parts of society should be analysed by effects on or consequences for society as a whole.

Question 24

What are manifest functions?

Answer 24

-positive functions “intended and recognised by participants in the system.”