functionalism

Question 1

what do functionalists believe about families?

Answer 1

most important institution in society

Question 2

what is primary socialisation?

Answer 2

when children are socialised into the norms and values of society by their parents. e.g. manners and expectations

Question 3

A02 - Parsons

Answer 3

parsons argues that primary socialisation is vital to ensure a harmonious and stable society

Question 4

what is the warm bath theory?

Answer 4

stabilisation of adult personalities - the family provides love and emotional support to its members. allows function effectively

Question 5

What did Murdock find?

Answer 5

the nuclear family is universal. nuclear family present in 250 societies that he studied

Question 6

how many nuclear families were present in the societys Murdock studied?

Answer 6

250

Question 7

A03 - evaluation (view, outdated)

Answer 7

• rose-tinted view of the family - ignore negatives such as abuse
• outdated to modern society - we have diverse types which are all effective

Question 8

what does SREE stand for?

Answer 8

sexual - intimate relationships with a partner
reproduction - producing next generation of offspring
economic - providing financial stability
education - socialising the children

Question 9

according to Parsons what is the instrumental role?

Answer 9

men - breadwinner, financial, and makes important decisions

Question 10

according to Parsons, what is the expressive role?

Answer 10

women - nurturing, keeping house clean, caring, biologically suited to role

Question 11

parsons functional fit theory

Answer 11

• extended theories used to be most common, changes meant it was better to become nuclear families
• easier for nuclear families to relocate

Question 12

what does the geographical mobile workforce mean?

Answer 12

the family can now travel easily for work opportunity

Question 13

in terms of socially mobile workforce, what is the ascribed status?

Answer 13

given at birth, e.g. royal status

Question 14

what is the achieved statu?

Answer 14

something an individual has worked hard for

Question 15

what does achieved status cause?

Answer 15

some family members may be more socially mobile than others

Question 16

what does the nuclear family provide a solution for?

Answer 16

if members lived in an extended family, there would be conflict between parents and children if they outranked them