Functionalism Flashcards
(26 cards)
what does durkheim say about society
- to maintain equilibrium must be norms + values to limit our actions
- society functions to value consensus
- if value consensus breaks down then anomie= decline in norms + values
what does an equilibrium mean for society
that each subsystem will adjust to any change in other subsystems + continue to do so until balance
what does organic/human body analogy mean?
- society works like human body
- society has vital institutions like body has vital organs
- institutions work interdependently
usefulness of the organic analogy?
- explains social change eg secularisation (slow, other institutions adapt)
- school closures during lockdown highlighted importance of key institutions eg education
evaluation of organic analogy
- not all institutions work effectively like decline in religion so media has to take larger role to balance equilibrium
what is parsons 3 systems?
Society is made up of 3 systems
1. cultural
2. social
3. personality
usefulness of parsons 3 systems?
- helps to explain how our behaviour can differ depending on context
- trying to explain where norms and values come from
evaluation of parsons 3 systems
oversocalised view of individuals as assumes everybody has same norms + values- little room for individuality
what is parsons functional prerequisites?
Things required in society in order for it to function
1. goal attainment
2. pattern maintenance
3. adaptation
4. integration
evaluation of parsons functional prerequisites
deterministic- claims that agencies of socialisation are able to construct values + beliefs rather than free will
usefulness of pre-requisites
- understands how different institutions contribute to societies stablitity eg education system uses pattern maintence
what is parsons pattern variables ?
maintains value consensus in 2 different societies
preindustrial A + industrial B
evaluation of parsons pattern variables?
- oversocalised view, we dont all share same values subcultures have diff values
- marxist believe values only benefit ruling class
usefulness of parsons pattern variables?
- helps explain inequality
- helps to predict how society would behave in certain situations eg panic buying during covid (self oreintation)
what does merton believe about society?
- softer form of functionalism
- contribution to social system may be positive, negative, non-existent = universal functional
- functional unity- society should be empirically investigated
- indispensability- same functional needs met by diff institutions
- manifest functions (intended)
- latent functions (unintended)
evaluation of merton
teleology- doesn’t explain original cause of phenominon (where norms + values originally come from) also fails to explain true purpose of norms + values
usefulness of mertons theory?
- acknowledges some parts of society have negative impact eg crime
- explains social change eg secularisation. religion disappearing bc no longer has function
What is parsons cultural system?
core values + shared history that make society distinct
What is Parsons personality system?
persons personal beliefs, goals, internalised values
What is Parons social system?
institutionalised expectations in roles eg teacher/student
What is the importance of the social system?
It leads to order/value consensus in society
As it has certain needs for it to survive- these are functional prerequisites
What is goal attainment?
Shared goals and social stratification using the economy
What is pattern maintence?
way to teach new gen values + norms/ passing on values and norms to next gen uses fam + ed system
What is adaptation?
using our environment to meet our needs, evolution of institutes, uses economy and family
