F+H: Functionalism Key terms

Question 1

Functional prerequisites

Answer 1

basic needs for society to survive

Question 2

Murdock’s functions of the family

Answer 2

• sexual (expressing sexuality comfort setting)
• socialisation (Prim soc)
• reproduction(stability for child rearing)
• economic(food+shelter)

Question 3

instrumental role

Answer 3

role of man

• role of breadwinner
• able to destabilise personality

Question 4

expressive role

Answer 4

role of woman

• warm, caring, loving
• relieves tension from instrumental role

Question 5

warm bath theory

Answer 5

woman’s expressive role

• man comes home from work, relaxes into family like a warm bath.
• takes away stress for next working day

Question 6

structural differentiation

Answer 6

The way functions are transferred to other institutions such as the welfare state

Question 7

Parsons

Answer 7

family lost most function due to structural differentiation.

Main func of family is to stabilise personality and give Prim Soc

Question 8

Privatised Nuclear family

Answer 8

individuals more aware of what is happening on TV and fictional characters rather than those living in their community.

Question 9

geographical mobility

Answer 9

move to areas where skills most needed

Question 10

social mobility

Answer 10

higher rates make it easier to move up or down social scale.

Question 11

Domestic division of labour

Answer 11

division of tasks within the household between partners