Functionalism

Question 1

How do Functionalists view society?

Answer 1

• is a structural theory, views society as a stable system based on consensus
• social institutions are interdependant parts working together to maintain social order

Institutions - Family,education and religion

Question 2

Functionalism is also a what theory?

Answer 2

• Modernist Theory
• As it argues large scale social structures shape how society functions and influence individual behaviour

Structures: Ecnonomy and the state

Question 3

What did durkheim focus on?

Answer 3

• Effects of rapid social change

Question 4

According to Durkheim what are features of traditional societies?

Answer 4

• strong collective conscience and limited division of labour creating unity and social cohesion

Question 5

According to Durkheim what are features of Modern industrial societies?

Answer 5

• Complex division of labour
• increased individual differences and weakened social solidarity

Question 6

What did durkheim argue that rapid change can lead to?

Answer 6

• Anomie
• a state of normlessness where old values break down before new ones are established ,threatening value consensus

Question 7

What was Parson’s key ideas?

Answer 7

• Organic Analogy, comparing society to a biological organism
• explaining how different parts of society work together to maintain stability

He developed Functionalism as a systematic theory

Question 8

What is the System in The organic analogy?

Answer 8

• Self regulating system of interdependent parts
• parts include Insitutions (family,education,law) and social roles (mother,teacher)
• just like an organism has a self regulating system of interconnected parts: organs,tissues and circulatory systems

Question 9

What is the System Needs in The organic analogy?

Answer 9

• Members must be socialised into shared norms and values, without this society collapses
• just like an organism needs nutrition,oxygen and energy otherwise it will die

Question 10

What is the Functions in The organic analogy?

Answer 10

• Each institution performs functions that benefit society
• e.g Economy meets material needs , education transmits culture and skills
• just like each body part serves function for the body: heart pumps blood,lungs respire

material needs: food,shelter

Question 11

What is Adaptation in The organic analogy?

Answer 11

• Institutions may evolve or adapt to meet society’s changing needs
• New laws for digital safety , revised curricula for economic demands
• Just like organisms evolve to develop immune responses for disease

Question 12

What is Value consensus in The organic analogy?

Answer 12

• Society depends on shared culture or collective values to function smoothly
• Organs require coordination to support life , breathing rate increases with heart rate during exercise

Question 13

What are the 4 basic needs from parsons every society needs to survive and maintain stability?

Answer 13

AGIL
1. Adaptation - must meet members material and economic needs (Food,housing ,employment)
2. Goal attainment - Need to set goals and allocate resources through political leadership (Gov & parliament make collective decisions)
3. Integration - Encourage shared values and social harmony
(Education,religions, mass media promote social cohesion)
4. Latency - ensure stability by managing tensions (family) and maintaining cultural norms (socialising children to shared values - pattern maintenance)

Question 14

What did Parsons argue about social change?

Answer 14

• Occurs through gradual,adapted processes
• Evolves from traditional to modern by structural differentation

Question 15

According to Parsons what are features of traditional societies?

Answer 15

• Status ascribed at birth
• Relationships are personal, e.g mother and child
• Values are particularistic - Treated based on group membership
• Collective orientation dominates - Individuals prioritse needs of group

Question 16

According to Parsons what are features of Modern societies?

Answer 16

• Status achieved through effort and sucess
• Relationships are contractual e.g employers & employees
• Values universalistic - everybody treated by same standards
• individuals act in self interest placing personal goals above group needs

Question 17

4 of Merton’s Internal Critiques of parson?

Answer 17

challenged parsons, arguing society more complex and less harmonious
1. Universal Functionalism
2. Indispensability
3. Functional Unity
4. Manifest and latent functions

Question 18

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What is mertons critique of Universal Functionalims?

Answer 18

• Parsons view all parts of society performs positive functions that benefit all of society
• But some can be Dysfunctional or benefit certain groups at the expense of others

Education system may benefit MC more than WC reinforcing inequality

Question 19

What is mertons critique of Indispensability?

Answer 19

• Parsons views all institutions are essential and irreplaceable for societys needs
• But there are functional alternatives - different structures can perform same roles

Nuclear family & religion but single parent families or extended families can primary socialise

Question 20

What is mertons critique of Functional unity?

Answer 20

• Society is a tightly integrated system where all parts affects all others - one change impacts the rest
• But some parts are functionally autonomous and operate independantly

education may undergo reforms without necessaily affecting legal systems or religion

Question 21

What is mertons critique of Manifest and latent functions?

Answer 21

• focuses on intended (manifest) functions of institutions
• Manifest - deliberate and recognised (education teaches skills)
• Latent - unintended and potentially harmful (schools reinforcing class divisions)

Question 22

Strength of Functionalist Theory

Answer 22

• Shows how institutions (education and family) work together to maintain social cohesion and prevent disorder

Question 23

Marxist criticism of Functionalists Theory

Answer 23

• argue functionalism takes rose tinted view of society ignoring class conflict and inequality
• E.g education legitimises inequality rather than promoting true meritocracy
• Stability is the result of dominant class ability to prevent change by coercion or ideological manipulation

Question 24

Action Theorist’s Criticism of Functionalism

Answer 24

• Wong criticises for being too deterministic and treating people as passive
• Individuals can resist and shape society through interaction - Willis’ study on lads show how students resist school values

Question 25

**Postmodernists Criticism** of Functionalism

Answer 25

* **Outdated assuming univeral norms still exists in a fragmented,diverse society** * Fails to account for individualism,multiculturalism and personal choice in pomo society