2.1: Functionalism

Question 1

Sociological theories help make sense of how society works and what causes societies to change.
Theories are often built around important what?

Answer 1

Theories are often built around important:
1. Concepts
Or,
2. Ideologies

Question 2

Consensus theories

Answer 2

Consensus theories are theories in sociology that see society as based on shared values

Question 3

Consensus theories are theories in sociology that see society as based on shared values.
Consensus theories emphasise the idea that human societies work best when what?

Answer 3

Consensus theories emphasise the idea that human societies work best when their members agree on fundamental principles of how society should be organised

Question 4

Consensus theories are theories in sociology that see society as based on shared values.
Consensus theories emphasise the idea that human societies work best when their members agree on fundamental principles of how society should be organised and share common what?

Answer 4

Consensus theories:

1. Emphasise the idea that human societies work best when their members agree on fundamental principles of how society should be organised
2. Share common norms, values and beliefs

Question 5

Consensus theories are theories in sociology that see society as based on shared values.
Consensus theories emphasise the idea that human societies work best when their members agree on fundamental principles of how society should be organised and share common norms, values and beliefs.
This does what and means that there is what in society?

Answer 5

This:

1. Makes social life more predictable
2. Means that there is a social order in society

Question 6

Consensus theories are theories in sociology that see society as based on shared values.
Consensus theories emphasise the idea that human societies work best when their members agree on fundamental principles of how society should be organised and share common norms, values and beliefs.
This makes social life more predictable and means that there is a social order in society.
Example

Answer 6

For example, in schools and colleges:
1. Students
2. Teachers
know what to expect of one another in their roles

Question 7

Consensus theories are theories in sociology that see society as based on shared values.
Consensus theories emphasise the idea that human societies work best when their members agree on fundamental principles of how society should be organised and share common norms, values and beliefs.
This makes social life more predictable and means that there is a social order in society.
Consensus theories also examine what?

Answer 7

Consensus theories also examine how different social institutions in society work together to ensure that members of society get the things they need

Question 8

Consensus theories are theories in sociology that see society as based on shared values.
Consensus theories emphasise the idea that human societies work best when their members agree on fundamental principles of how society should be organised and share common norms, values and beliefs.
This makes social life more predictable and means that there is a social order in society.
Consensus theories also examine how different social institutions in society work together to ensure that members of society get the things they need.
Example

Answer 8

For example, schools and colleges exist to educate their students, but they also serve the needs of:

1. Businesses
2. The economy

Question 9

What is the most influential consensus theory in sociology?

Answer 9

Functionalism is the most influential consensus theory in sociology

Question 10

Functionalism is the most influential consensus theory in sociology.
Functionalism has its origins in the work of early sociologists such as who?

Answer 10

Functionalism has its origins in the work of early sociologists such as Emile Durkheim

Question 11

Functionalism is the most influential consensus theory in sociology.
Functionalism has its origins in the work of early sociologists such as Emile Durkheim (what years)?

Answer 11

Functionalism has its origins in the work of early sociologists such as Emile Durkheim (1858 - 1917)

Question 12

Functionalism is the most influential consensus theory in sociology.
Functionalism has its origins in the work of early sociologists such as Emile Durkheim (1858 - 1917).
Durkheim argued that members of societies need to feel what?

Answer 12

Durkheim argued that members of societies need to feel a sense of social solidarity

Question 13

Social solidarity

Answer 13

Social solidarity is a sense of unity and belonging in a group created by shared:

1. Values
2. Experiences

Question 14

Functionalism is the most influential consensus theory in sociology.
Functionalism has its origins in the work of early sociologists such as Emile Durkheim (1858 - 1917).
Durkheim argued that members of societies need to feel a sense of social solidarity.
Durkheim was concerned that what?

Answer 14

Durkheim was concerned that in large modern societies, people would lose their sense of belonging

Question 15

Functionalism is the most influential consensus theory in sociology.
Functionalism has its origins in the work of early sociologists such as Emile Durkheim (1858 - 1917).
Durkheim argued that members of societies need to feel a sense of social solidarity.
Durkheim was concerned that in large modern societies, people would lose their sense of belonging and become anonymous individuals uncertain about how to behave or what their roles are in society.
Durkheim described this as a sense of what?

Answer 15

Durkheim described this as a sense of:
1. ‘Anomie’
Or,
2. Normlessness

Question 16

Anomie

Answer 16

Anomie is a state of:
1. Normlessness
Or,
2. Uncertainty
about how to behave in a situation where there is rapid change in society

Question 17

Theory

Answer 17

A theory is a simply an idea about how something works

Question 18

Emilie Durkheim, the founder of functionalism, argued that people’s behaviour is shaped by what?

Answer 18

Emilie Durkheim, the founder of functionalism, argued that people’s behaviour is shaped by social forces

Question 19

Emilie Durkheim, the founder of functionalism, argued that people’s behaviour is shaped by social forces.
Durkheim argued that our sense of culture and identity is the result of being what?

Answer 19

Durkheim argued that our sense of:
1. Culture
2. Identity
is the result of being socialised into a modern society

Question 20

Emilie Durkheim, the founder of functionalism, argued that people’s behaviour is shaped by social forces.
Durkheim argued that our sense of culture and identity is the result of being socialised into a modern society.
We learn norms and values from our what?

Answer 20

We learn:
1. Norms
2. Values
from our society

Question 21

Emilie Durkheim, the founder of functionalism, argued that people’s behaviour is shaped by social forces.
Durkheim argued that our sense of culture and identity is the result of being socialised into a modern society.
We learn norms and values from our society and these enable us to share ways of what in society?

Answer 21

We learn norms and values from our society and these enable us to share ways of:
1. Thinking
2. Behaving
in society

Question 22

Emilie Durkheim, the founder of functionalism, argued that people’s behaviour is shaped by social forces.
Durkheim argued that our sense of culture and identity is the result of being socialised into a modern society.
We learn norms and values from our society and these enable us to share ways of thinking and behaving in society.
Durkheim described this shared way of thinking as what?

Answer 22

Durkheim described this shared way of thinking as the collective conscience of society

Question 23

Functionalists argue that in order for society to exist, there must be what?

Answer 23

Functionalists argue that in order for society to exist, there must be a shared sense of social order

Question 24

Functionalists argue that in order for society to exist, there must be a shared sense of social order.
Durkheim wanted to explain how social order is what?

Answer 24

Durkheim wanted to explain how social order is maintained

Question 25

Functionalists argue that in order for society to exist, there must be a shared sense of social order.
Durkheim wanted to explain how social order is maintained.
Durkheim’s answer was that societies need to be based on what?

Answer 25

Durkheim’s answer was that societies need to be based on value consensus

Question 26

Functionalists argue that in order for society to exist, there must be a shared sense of social order.
Durkheim wanted to explain how social order is maintained.
Durkheim’s answer was that societies need to be based on value consensus.
Value consensus

Answer 26

Value consensus is shared agreement about what is:

1. Worthwhile
2. Desirable

Question 27

Functionalists argue that in order for society to exist, there must be a shared sense of social order.
Durkheim wanted to explain how social order is maintained.
Durkheim’s answer was that societies need to be based on value consensus.
The function of agents of socialisation like the family, education and religion is to do what?

Answer 27

The function of agents of socialisation like:
1. The family
2. Education
3. Religion
is to socialise individuals into this value consensus

Question 28

Functionalism is a what theory?

Answer 28

Functionalism is a:
1. Consensus
2. Macro
3. Structural
theory

Question 29

Functionalism is a consensus, macro and structural theory.

Consensus reflects what?

Answer 29

Consensus reflects agreement

Question 30

Functionalism is a consensus, macro and structural theory.

Macro reflects that functionalism does what?

Answer 30

Macro reflects that functionalism generalises

Question 31

Functionalism is a consensus, macro and structural theory.

Macro reflects that functionalism generalises and so is not what?

Answer 31

Macro reflects that functionalism:

1. Generalises
2. So is not applicable to everyone

Question 32

Functionalism is a consensus, macro and structural theory.

Structural reflects what?

Answer 32

Structural reflects the 6 agents of socialisation

Question 33

Functionalism is a consensus, macro and structural theory.

Structural reflects the 6 agents of socialisation and leads to what in society?

Answer 33

Structural:

1. Reflects the 6 agents of socialisation
2. Leads to a lack of tolerance in society

Question 34

AO3: Functionalism is too what?

Answer 34

Functionalism is too rose-tinted

Question 35

A03: Functionalism is too rose-tinted.

It ignores what?

Answer 35

Functionalism ignores the negative aspects of:

1. Society
2. The agents of socialisation

Question 36

Functionalism was mainly written when?

Answer 36

Functionalism was mainly written in the:

1. 1950s
2. 1960s

Question 37

Functionalism was mainly written in the 1950s and 1960s, although there are now what?

Answer 37

Functionalism was mainly written in the 1950s and 1960s, although there are now Neo (new) Functionalists

Question 38

Functionalism was mainly written in the 1950s and 1960s, although there are now Neo (new) Functionalists.
AO3: This reflects that functionalism is what?

Answer 38

This reflects that functionalism is outdated

Question 39

Functionalism was mainly written in the 1950s and 1960s, although there are now Neo (new) Functionalists.
AO3: This reflects that functionalism is outdated and so is not as what?

Answer 39

This reflects that functionalism is outdated and so is not as:
1. Relevant
Or,
2. Applicable
to contemporary British society anymore

Question 40

Functionalists always ask about the what of an institution or agent of socialisation?

Answer 40

Functionalists always ask about the:
1. Purpose
2. Positive function(s)
of an institution or agent of socialisation

Question 41

Functionalists believe that all agencies of socialisation play a what?

Answer 41

Functionalists believe that all agencies of socialisation play a positive function

Question 42

Functionalists believe that what control our behaviour?

Answer 42

Functionalists believe that:
1. Society
2. Agencies of socialisation
control our behaviour

Question 43

Functionalists believe that society and agencies of socialisation control our behaviour.
A02: Functionalists believe that society and agencies of socialisation control our behaviour, through what?

Answer 43

Functionalists believe that:
1. Society
2. Agencies of socialisation
control our behaviour
,through social control

Question 44

Functionalists believe that society and agencies of socialisation control our behaviour.
A02: Functionalists believe that society and agencies of socialisation control our behaviour, through social control, including what?

Answer 44

Functionalists believe that society and agencies of socialisation control our behaviour, through social control, including:

1. Formal and informal social control mechanisms
2. Positive and negative sanctioning

Question 45

Functionalists believe in what families?

Answer 45

Functionalists believe in:
1. White
2. Heterosexual
3. Middle class
4. Nuclear
families

Question 46

Functionalists believe in white, heterosexual, middle class, nuclear families.
This means that Functionalists think that other family types, such as same-sex families, are what and should not (or do not) what?

Answer 46

This means that Functionalists think that other family types, such as same-sex families:

1. Are not good for society
2. Should not (or do not) exist

Question 47

Functionalists believe in white, heterosexual, middle class, nuclear families.
This means that Functionalists think that other family types, such as same-sex families, are not good for society and should not (or do not) exist.
AO3: This is not true where?

Answer 47

This is not true in contemporary British society

Question 48

Functionalists believe in white, heterosexual, middle class, nuclear families.
This means that Functionalists think that other family types, such as same-sex families, are not good for society and should not (or do not) exist.
AO3: This is not true in contemporary British society, because there are indeed other family types that are not what in society and are what?

Answer 48

This is not true in contemporary British society, because there are indeed other family types that are:

1. Not deviant in society
2. Successful

Question 49

Functionalists believe in white, heterosexual, middle class, nuclear families.
This means that Functionalists think that other family types, such as same-sex families, are not good for society and should not (or do not) exist.
AO3: This is not true in contemporary British society, because there are indeed other family types that are not deviant in society and are successful, such as what?

Answer 49

This is not true in contemporary British society, because there are indeed other family types that are:
1. Not deviant in society
2. Successful
,such as lone-parent families

Question 50

Functionalists believe that without consensus and harmony, there is what Functionalists call what?

Answer 50

Functionalists believe that without consensus and harmony, there is what Functionalists call anomie

Question 51

Functionalists believe that without consensus and harmony, there is what Functionalists call anomie.
Society does not function with what?

Answer 51

Society does not function with anomie

Question 52

AO3: Neo (new) Functionalists could argue that Functionalism is not outdated and is relevant and applicable to society, because although Functionalism was mainly written in the 1950s and 1960s, there are now what?

Answer 52

Neo (new) Functionalists could argue that Functionalism is:
1. Not outdated
2. Relevant and applicable to society
,because although Functionalism was mainly written in the 1950s and 1960s, there are now Neo (new) Functionalists

Question 53

AO3: The negatives of all 6 agencies of socialisation.

Not all agencies play a positive function in society, because not everyone has what?

Answer 53

Not all agencies play a positive function in society, because not everyone has access to all agencies of socialisation

Question 54

AO3: The negatives of all 6 agencies of socialisation.
Not all agencies play a positive function in society, because not everyone has access to all agencies of socialisation.
Example

Answer 54

For example, some people:

1. Are unemployed
2. So don’t belong to a workplace

Question 55

Functionalism is the most influential consensus theory in sociology and has its origins in the work of early sociologists such as Emile Durkheim (1858 - 1917).
Another Functionalist sociologist, who, emphasised what?

Answer 55

Another Functionalist sociologist, Talcott Parsons, emphasised the important role of socialisation in creating value consensus in society

Question 56

Functionalism is the most influential consensus theory in sociology and has its origins in the work of early sociologists such as Emile Durkheim (1858 - 1917).
Another Functionalist sociologist, Talcott Parsons (what years), emphasised the important role of socialisation in creating value consensus in society?

Answer 56

Another Functionalist sociologist, Talcott Parsons (1902 - 1979), emphasised the important role of socialisation in creating value consensus in society

Question 57

Another Functionalist sociologist, Talcott Parsons (1902 - 1979), emphasised the important role of socialisation in creating value consensus in society.
Parsons saw key institutions and agencies of socialisation as working together to do what to each new generation?

Answer 57

Parsons saw:
1. Key institutions
2. Agencies of socialisation
as working together to transmit shared norms and values to each new generation

Question 58

Another Functionalist sociologist, Talcott Parsons (1902 - 1979), emphasised the important role of socialisation in creating value consensus in society.
Parsons saw key institutions and agencies of socialisation as working together to transmit shared norms and values to each new generation, ensuring what in society?

Answer 58

Parsons saw key institutions and agencies of socialisation as working together to transmit shared norms and values to each new generation, ensuring:
1. Stability
2. Continuity
in society

Question 59

Another Functionalist sociologist, Talcott Parsons (1902 - 1979), emphasised the important role of socialisation in creating value consensus in society.
Parsons saw key institutions and agencies of socialisation as working together to transmit shared norms and values to each new generation, ensuring stability and continuity in society.
Parsons saw such institutions of society as working together in what?

Answer 59

Parsons saw such institutions of society as working together in harmony

Question 60

Another Functionalist sociologist, Talcott Parsons (1902 - 1979), emphasised the important role of socialisation in creating value consensus in society.
Parsons saw key institutions and agencies of socialisation as working together to transmit shared norms and values to each new generation, ensuring stability and continuity in society.
Parsons saw such institutions of society as working together in harmony, with each institution doing what?

Answer 60

Parsons saw such institutions of society as working together in harmony, with each institution:

1. Depending on the others
2. Contributing to maintaining society as a whole

Question 61

Functionalists sometimes use an organic analogy, seeing society as like what with what?

Answer 61

Functionalists sometimes use an organic analogy, seeing society as like a human body with different organs contributing to the whole

Question 62

Functionalists sometimes use an organic analogy, seeing society as like a human body with different organs contributing to the whole.
Example

Answer 62

For example:

1. Our lungs provide oxygen for the blood, which is pumped around the body by the heart
2. The kidneys remove waste matter from the blood

Question 63

Functionalists sometimes use an organic analogy, seeing society as like a human body with different organs contributing to the whole.
For example, our lungs provide oxygen for the blood, which is pumped around the body by the heart and the kidneys remove waste matter from the blood.
In the same way, in society, what?

Answer 63

In the same way, in society:
1. Families
2. Educational institutions
socialise future workers

Question 64

Why is functionalism often referred to as a structural theory?

Answer 64

Functionalism is often referred to as a structural theory, because of the way it sees parts of society as linked together in a structure

Question 65

Structural theories

Answer 65

Structural theories are theories that see society as a structure that influences individuals to behave in:
1. Orderly
2. Patterned
ways

Question 66

Macro theories

Answer 66

Macro theories are theories that focus on understanding:

1. Society as a whole
2. The relationship between parts of society

Question 67

Functionalism is so-called, because Functionalists tend to analyse social institutions in terms of the what they perform for society?

Answer 67

Functionalism is so-called, because Functionalists tend to analyse social institutions in terms of the functions they perform for society

Question 68

Functionalism is so-called, because Functionalists tend to analyse social institutions in terms of the functions they perform for society.
For example, Parsons saw the functions of families in what societies in terms of what?

Answer 68

For example, Parsons saw the functions of families in industrial societies in terms of:

1. Socialising children
2. Providing psychological security for adults

Question 69

Functionalism is so-called, because Functionalists tend to analyse social institutions in terms of the functions they perform for society.
For example, Parsons saw the functions of families in industrial societies in terms of socialising children and providing psychological security for adults.
Durkheim saw the function of religion as what?

Answer 69

Durkheim saw the function of religion as creating a sense of solidarity through individuals:

1. Participating in acts of collective worship
2. Focusing on shared symbols

Question 70

Functionalism was probably the most influential theory in sociology up to the 1950s.
Functionalism is particularly effective at analysing how different parts of a society work together to do what?

Answer 70

Functionalism is particularly effective at analysing how different parts of a society work together to provide for its members’ needs

Question 71

Functionalism was probably the most influential theory in sociology up to the 1950s.
Functionalism is particularly effective at analysing how different parts of a society work together to provide for its members’ needs.
Functionalism also highlights how societies tend to do what when people can agree and cooperate?

Answer 71

Functionalism also highlights how societies tend to operate more effectively when people can:

1. Agree
2. Cooperate

Question 72

Functionalism was probably the most influential theory in sociology up to the 1950s.
Functionalism is particularly effective at analysing how different parts of a society work together to provide for its members’ needs.
Functionalism also highlights how societies tend to operate more effectively when people can agree and cooperate.
However, since the 1960s, functionalism has come under what?

Answer 72

Since the 1960s, functionalism has come under strong criticism from other theories

Question 73

Functionalism was probably the most influential theory in sociology up to the 1950s.
Functionalism is particularly effective at analysing how different parts of a society work together to provide for its members’ needs.
Functionalism also highlights how societies tend to operate more effectively when people can agree and cooperate.
However, since the 1960s, functionalism has come under strong criticism from other theories and only a few sociologists today would describe themselves as functionalists.
In particular, functionalism fails to explain what?

Answer 73

In particular, functionalism fails to explain conflicts in society

Question 74

However, since the 1960s, functionalism has come under strong criticism from other theories and only a few sociologists today would describe themselves as functionalists.
In particular, functionalism fails to explain conflicts in society and tends to assume that what?

Answer 74

In particular, functionalism:

1. Fails to explain conflicts in society
2. Tends to assume that society operates for everyone’s benefit equally

Question 75

However, since the 1960s, functionalism has come under strong criticism from other theories and only a few sociologists today would describe themselves as functionalists.
In particular, functionalism fails to explain conflicts in society and tends to assume that society operates for everyone’s benefit equally.
In a multicultural society like the UK, there may be conflicts between different what?

Answer 75

In a multicultural society like the UK, there may be conflicts between different:
1. Religious
2. Ethnic
3. Cultural
groups

Question 76

However, since the 1960s, functionalism has come under strong criticism from other theories and only a few sociologists today would describe themselves as functionalists.
In particular, functionalism fails to explain conflicts in society and tends to assume that society operates for everyone’s benefit equally.
In a multicultural society like the UK, there may be conflicts between different religious, ethnic and cultural groups over, for example, what?

Answer 76

In a multicultural society like the UK, there may be conflicts between different religious, ethnic and cultural groups over, for example, the:
1. Role of women
2. Acceptability of homosexuality
Or,
2. Teaching of religion in schools

Question 77

However, since the 1960s, functionalism has come under strong criticism from other theories and only a few sociologists today would describe themselves as functionalists.
In particular, functionalism fails to explain conflicts in society and tends to assume that society operates for everyone’s benefit equally.
In a multicultural society like the UK, there may be conflicts between different religious, ethnic and cultural groups over, for example, the role of women, the acceptability of homosexuality or teaching of religion in schools.
It could also be argued that where conflicts exist, what?

Answer 77

It could also be argued that where conflicts exist, it is the:
1. Ideas
2. Beliefs
of more powerful groups that tend to dominate

Question 78

Functionalists argue that society is based on what?

Answer 78

Functionalists argue that society is based on:

1. Value consensus
2. Harmony (agreement)

Question 79

Consensus theories are theories in sociology that see society as based on shared values.
Consensus theories emphasise the idea that human societies work best when their members agree on fundamental principles of how society should be organised and share common norms, values and beliefs.
This makes social life more predictable and means that there is a social order in society.
Consensus theories also examine how different social institutions in society work together to ensure that members of society get the things they need.
For example, schools and colleges exist to educate their students, but they also serve the needs of businesses and the economy by doing what?

Answer 79

For example, schools and colleges exist to educate their students, but they also serve the needs of businesses and the economy by ensuring that future workers:

1. Are suitably socialised
2. Have the skills needed by employers

Question 80

Functionalism is the most influential consensus theory in sociology.
Functionalism has its origins in the work of early sociologists such as Emile Durkheim (1858 - 1917).
Durkheim argued that members of societies need to feel a sense of social solidarity.
Durkheim was concerned that in large modern societies, people would lose their sense of belonging and become what?

Answer 80

Durkheim was concerned that in large modern societies, people would lose their sense of belonging and become anonymous individuals

Question 81

Functionalism is the most influential consensus theory in sociology.
Functionalism has its origins in the work of early sociologists such as Emile Durkheim (1858 - 1917).
Durkheim argued that members of societies need to feel a sense of social solidarity.
Durkheim was concerned that in large modern societies, people would lose their sense of belonging and become anonymous individuals uncertain about what?

Answer 81

Durkheim was concerned that in large modern societies, people would lose their sense of belonging and become anonymous individuals uncertain about:
1. How to behave
Or,
2. What their roles are in society