Functionalism

Question 1

What is functionalism

Answer 1

• structural consensus theory
• society is shaped by social institutions (eg education, family, religion) that socialise its members into norms and values of society
• society is harmonious because of value consensus and a collective conscience
• society fulfils the functional pre-requisites of its individual members

Question 2

What did Durkheim say

Answer 2

• society exists as a seperate entity over and above its members
• a system of external social facts shaping their behaviour to serve societies needs
• these facts can be measured objectively to show patterns of behaviour
• he did this in his study of suicide ( crime and deviance link )

Question 3

What did parsons say - organic analogy

Answer 3

• parsons identifies the similarities between society and a biological organism
• system, institutions ( education system, government ) work together like organs In the body
• system needs, body needs nutrients so does society. He calls them functional prerequisites
• functions, each organ has a function, so does each institution

Question 4

What did parsons say about social order and socialisation

Answer 4

• social order is achieved through a shared culture in a ‘ central value system ‘
• teaching individuals shared norms and values ( or a value consensus )
• main institutions do this eg family education religion and the media
  To reinforce socialisation, you will be rewarded with good behaviour and punished with bad behaviour, these are called negative and positive sanctions

Question 5

What did parsons say about system needs

Answer 5

Functional prerequisites = the system needs
1. Adaptation - meets the material needs ( food and shelter ) = met by the economic sub system
2. Goal attainment - collective goals are set and allocate resources to achieve them = met by the political sub system
3. Integration - the different parts of the system must be integrated together to pursue shared goals. This the role of the sub system of religion education and media
4. Latency - refers to the process that maintain society over time. The family sub system provides pattern maintenance ( socialising individuals to perform societies roles ) and tension management ( a place to relieve stress after work )

Question 6

What did Merton say

Answer 6

• Merton criticises parsons
• we cannot assume as parsons does that society is a ways a smooth running, well integrated system

Question 7

What method to functionalist prefer

Answer 7

• quantitative method - numerical data to find patterns and trends eg official statistics, questionaires and surveys
• structured methods such as structured interviews to get consistent comparable data
• looking for cause and effect
• macro approach