functionalism

Question 1

Durkheim’s four key points

Answer 1

Organic analogy: Comparison between society and a living organism. Each social institution performs specialized, interdependent functions. If one fails, the body (society) begins to fail.

Value consensus: Shared norms and values of society.

Collective conscience: The bond that keeps society together, based on shared norms and values.

Anomie: A state of too much individual freedom leading to normlessness and chaos.

Question 2

Parsons’ contributions to functionalism

Answer 2

Introduced the term core values (values shared by EVERYONE in society).

Identified four functional prerequisites: adaptation, goal attainment, integration, and latency.

Question 3

What is the special name given to the four basic needs of society?

Answer 3

Functional prerequisites.

Question 4

Outline Talcott Parsons’ AGIL model

Answer 4

A= Adaptation: How well society can secure material resources from the environment and adjust to external challenges. Example: the economy provides jobs, food, and housing to meet basic needs.

G = Goal attainment: How well society can set and achieve goals (e.g., government setting priorities and mobilizing resources).

I = Integration: How well society can coordinate and regulate relationships among its parts (e.g., legal system enforcing norms).

L = Latency (pattern maintenance): How well society can maintain and renew shared values and motivations (e.g., family and education socializing members).

Question 5

Functionalist views of the family

Answer 5

Nuclear family is universal because it is the most successful (Murdock).

Structural differentiation (Parsons).

SOAP theory.

Warm bath theory.

Primary socialization.

Question 6

Functionalist view of education

Answer 6

Bridge between family and society; between particularistic and universalistic principles (Parsons).

Agent of secondary socialization.

Meritocratic: provides equality of opportunity.

Role allocation (TEA).

Promotes social solidarity (Durkheim).

Transmits specialist skills (Durkheim).

Acts as a mini-society (Durkheim).

Question 7

Evaluation of Functionalist theory (external critique)

Answer 7

Unscientific: Functionalism is teleological — it explains institutions by their functions, not by evidence of how or why they exist.

Ignores conflict and exploitation: Overlooks power struggles, inequality, and domination (e.g., Marxists argue it hides class conflict).

Over-socialized view of individuals: Assumes people always conform to norms, ignoring human agency, resistance, or deviance.

Reifies society: Treats society as if it is a thing with needs, rather than a product of individual actions.

Too positive: Tends to see everything as functional, ignoring dysfunctions or negative effects of institutions.

Outdated and too conservative: Focuses on stability and consensus, reflecting 1950s nuclear-family ideals; doesn’t account for social change, diversity, or postmodern complexity.

Question 8

Evaluation of Functionalist theory (internal critique)

Answer 8

Assumes everything is indispensable.

Assumes functional unity.

Assumes universal functionalism.

Question 9

Different types of functions (Merton)

Answer 9

Functionalism should study both intended and unintended functions.

Manifest functions: intended and recognized functions.

Latent functions: unintended functions, which can be positive or negative for individuals/society.

Question 10

Which Sociologist provided the internal critique for functionalism

Answer 10

Robert K. Merton

Question 11

Examples of manifest and latent functions:
Education
Family
Religion

Answer 11

Education:
Manifest: Teaching literacy and skills.
Latent: Creating social networks, reinforcing class inequalities.

Religion:
Manifest: Providing moral guidance.
Latent: Promoting social division or conflict.

Family:
Manifest: Socializing children, reproduction.
Latent: Reinforcing gender roles, providing emotional support.