Functionalism Flashcards
(14 cards)
What type of theory is functionalism?
It is a structuralist perspective. Functionalists argue that the structure of society moulds and shapes an individual. It views society as a system that is made up of early interconnected parts that together from a whole.
What is the analogy drawn between society and organisms in the body?
PARSONS came up with the organic analogy. This is the belief that society has basic needs that must be met to continue to exist. Which are referred to as functional prerequisites. In the same way that the skin holds the human body, the norms and values holds society together. The brain represents the institutions like the educational system and the heart represents the family.
What did Durkheim believe?
Social order could be achieved through consensus. This consists of common beliefs and sentiments, without consensus social order would be impossible. If there is consensus within a society then there is social solidity which enables society to meet the functional prerequisites of society.
What did Parson’s say about consensus?
He believed that only a commitment to social norms and values provides the basis of order in society. This commitment is referred to as value consensus, which is the glue that holds society together. An example of when there wasn’t value consensus is the Russian revolution which caused society to suffer.
What is social equilibrium and how is it maintained?
When values are institutionalised and behaviour is structured the result is a stable system meaning a state of social equilibrium is achieved. It is maintained through:
-socialisation as individuals are taught to want to do what is needed to be done and so norms are internalised.
-social control as positive sanctions rewards conformity and negative ones punish deviance.
What is the needs of society (functional prerequisites) and what roles do they have?
-adaptation (instrumental)
-goal attainment (instrumental)
-integration (expressive)
-latency (expressive)
What is meant by adaptation and goal attainment?
-adaptation is society’s basis needs like food and water
-goal attainment is society’s set goals like safety, justice that uses politics to achieve them.
What is meant by integration and latency?
-Integration is the different parts of society like religion and education and how they work together to help people share common goals.
-latency is how the family helps maintain social order by managing stress and keeping traditions going over time.
What is the support for the organic analogy and the functional prerequisites?
How society has changed over time. Parsons viewed social change as a process of social evolution from simple to more complex forms of society.
What are some examples of how society has changed from traditional society’s to modern societies?
-in traditional societies ascribed status was more common which was where status in society was decided from birth whereas now in modern society there’s a bigger focus on achieved status which is where status is based on abilities and talents.
-in traditional societies they were more affectively neutral meaning they had a strict level of emotions allowed in each situations whereas now in modern society affectivity is more normalised which is where there’s freedom of emotions in all situations.
Who was Merton and what did he believe ?
Merton was a functionalist who criticises parsons for suggesting that all institutions have positive and beneficial functions. He argues that in a highly complex and interdependent social system there’s a lot of space for things to go wrong which he called as ‘dysfunctions’. Dysfunctions are parts of social structure that don’t contribute to the maintenance and wellbeing of society but creates tension. For example dysfunctional families have consequences beyond the family such as mental health issues.
What are manifest and latent functions?
-manifest functions are the intended and recognised consequences of an institution
-latent functions are the unintended and unrecognised consequences
POSITIVE LATENT AND MANIFEST FUNCTION for example in a hospital manifest function is that they are dispensing healthcare and provides and latent function is that they are providing jobs for individuals who can better their lifestyle.
NEGATIVE is that manifest is while they are providing health care for sick people the latent is that they spreading infectious diseases.
What are some strengths of functionalism?
-it recognises the importance of social structure in understanding society and how it constrains individual behaviour
-it provides an explanation for social order and stability and why most people generally conform to the rules of society.
What are some limitations of functionalism?
-Marxists criticise functionalist as they argue that a consensual society is far from accurate as there are many societies which there is no shared value consensus, yet there is some degree of stability.
-feminists criticise functionalist as they say functionalist ideas ignore the position of women in society and consigns them to the traditional roles such as being the housewife and the mother.
