Topic 3: Structural Theories

Question 1

briefly describe structural theories?

Answer 1

• macro large scale
• society shapes our behaviour by external social forces
• individuals are puppets, manipulated by society
• identity if fixed

Question 2

Functionalists say that society is like the body, this is referred to as the organic analogy. What are the 3 similarities between the body and society?

Answer 2

• both are self regulating and inter-related
• organisms have need, if they’re not met the organism and society will die
• both perform positive functions of ensuring its survival

Question 3

according to parsons, how is social order achieved and what does it provide?

Answer 3

social order is achieved through the existence of a shared culture and provides a framework that allows individuals to cooperate by laying down rules of how they should behave

Question 4

according to functionalists, what is the basic function of value consensus?

Answer 4

• make social order possible by integrating individuals into the social system and directing them towards meeting society’s needs
• they do this by socialisation and social control

Question 5

parsons identifies 2 types of society, what are they?

Answer 5

• traditional
• modern

Question 6

parsons claims the family has changed to fit society, what does this mean?

Answer 6

• parsons refers to this as the functional fit
• traditionally, the family was extended, self-sufficient, agricultural and rural
• however, it underwent gradual evolutionary change and became nuclear. The family is smaller and is now able to be socially and geographically mobile

Question 7

how does merton criticise parsons system theory?

Answer 7

• we cannot assume that society is always smooth and well integrated
• not everything in society performs positive functions