functionalism

Question 1

What is Parson’s value consensus?

Answer 1

• shared norms and values
• social order is only possible if people agree on these values

Question 2

What is Parson’s organic analogy?

Answer 2

• the idea that society works like a human body, with different systems to meet different needs

Question 3

What are the two mechanisms to Parson’s central value system?

Answer 3

• socialisation – individuals are taught to want to do what is needed to be done. The norms and values are internalised
• social control – positive sanctions reward conformity and negative ones punish deviance

Question 4

How does social change support the organic analogy?

Answer 4

• the shift from traditional societies to modern societies shows how the systems adapt to the new needs

Question 5

What is an evaluation to the functionalist view of society?

Answer 5

• logical criticism – functionalists say things exist because of their function however a real explanation should identify somethings cause.
• conflict perspective criticism – society is not harmonious. This view is harmful as it legitimises inequality
• action perspective criticism – functionalists view people as puppets on strings who have no free will. Individuals create society not the other way round
• postmodernist criticism – todays society is so fragmented that no meta narrative can explain society