Who developed the organic analogy
Parsons (1951)
What is the organic analogy
Society is made up of different institutions that are all interconnected and interdependent like organs in the human body
Why do functionalists describe society as ‘evolutionary’
If there is change in one part of society, other parts will slowly evolve to adapt to change
What can social ills like crime do to the rest of society
Have a disabling effect on certain parts of society that can gradually infect other parts
How does parsons think social order is achieved
Through existence of shared culture or a central value system- only possible if people agree on it
What are the two mechanisms to ensure people conform to shared values
Socialisation - individuals internalise these values and they are passed down from generation to generation
Reinforced through social control - conformity is reward, non-conformity sanctioned
What did Durkheim argues causes anomie
When society changes too quickly and norms are lost before new ones made - creates instability
What do functionalists argue the social system should cater for
Everyones needs and desires
What can peoples needs be broken down into
Instrumental needs (material) e.g be fed and have a home
Expressive needs (emotional)
What are instrumental needs supported by
Political subsystem
Economic subsystem
What are expressive needs supported by
Kinship subsystem
Cultural subsystems
What did Parsons argue the four basic needs are
Adaptation
Goal attainment
Integration
Latency
What contributions does functionalism make
First theory to attempt to explain society
Influenced development of the new right and other sociological views
Influenced development of sociology as a science
How does Merton criticise functionalism
Indispensability
Functional Unity
Universal functionalism
What is a manifest function according to Merton
Somethings intended function
What is a latent function according to Merton
An unintended function
Why is Merton’s manifest and latent functions useful
Reveals hidden connections between social phenomena which the actors themselves may not be aware of
What is universal functionalism
The idea somethings may be functional for some groups but not for others
What is indispensability
Untested assumption, there may be functional alternatives e.g primary socialisation can be done in communes
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Functionalists19
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Marxism21
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Feminism23
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Social action theory - Weber11
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Social action theory - Goffman6
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Social action theory - Giddens6
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Sociology as a science - positivists11
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Sociology as a science - interpretivists10
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Sociology as a science - falsification7
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Sociology as a science - Paradigm (Kuhn)6
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Sociology as a science - Realism6
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Social policy - Giddens7
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Social policy - Functionalists7
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Social policy - Social democrat8
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Social policy - Marxism8
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Social policy - Feminists7
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Social policy - New Right5
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Sociology should be value free5
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Sociology should be value relevant4
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Sociology is value laden5
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Sociology should be value committed4
