Functionalism

Question 1

Emilie Durkheim function

Answer 1

Specialised skills
Social solidarity

Question 2

Emilie Durkheim examples

Answer 2

Specialised skills - qualifications
Social solidarity - team sports to encourage cooperation and teamwork

Question 3

Parsons function

Answer 3

Bridge between family and society
Meritocracy

Question 4

Parsons examples

Answer 4

Adult relationships being more formal than family but not as much as the world of work
Reward schemes

Question 5

Davis and Moore function

Answer 5

School allocates pupils to jobs most beneficial to society based off skills and qualifications

Question 6

Davis and Moore examples

Answer 6

Further and higher education
Exams

Question 7

Durkheim criticisms

Answer 7

Education doesn’t teach specialised skills adequately - employers are failing to provide good apprenticeships
We aren’t taught the skills or to a level that prepares us for the workplace

Question 8

Parsons criticisms

Answer 8

doesn’t account for conflict, power dynamics, or social change within the education system
Myth of meritocracy - Wealth, privilege, and social background play a significant role in academic success and access to opportunities, not just individual merit
Education is a level playing field is challenged by evidence showing that students from disadvantaged backgrounds face significant barriers to academic success

Question 9

Davis and Moore criticisms

Answer 9

Children from higher social classes tend to achieve better educational outcomes and go on to higher-paying jobs, perpetuating the cycle of inequality rather than creating a meritocracy
The system may favor certain types of intelligence or learning styles, potentially disadvantaging students from diverse backgrounds or those with different learning needs

Question 10

Primary socialisation

Answer 10

First socialisation you receive, given by your family
First transmission of culture, starting to form beliefs and values

Question 11

Secondary socialisation

Answer 11

Socialisation with people outside your family
Start learning more social skills,beliefs, values and ideas

Question 12

Social solidarity

Answer 12

‘Social glue’
Emphasises the interdependence between individuals to feel that they enhance the lives of others
Community

Question 13

Anomie

Answer 13

Chaos, breakdown of norms

Question 14

Value consensus

Answer 14

A society in which everyone can agree on morals, goals and ethics to stop anomie and people pursuing their own self interest

Question 15

Consensus theory

Answer 15

Based on the idea that society is dependant upon the mutual cooperation of its members

Question 16

Ascribed status

Answer 16

Status that is already given to you and don’t earn by family e.g birth order

Question 17

Achieved status

Answer 17

Status that you have acquired through your skills and achievements
How it works in society

Question 18

Particularistic values

Answer 18

Social norms and values serve a purpose in maintaining social order and cohesion

Question 19

Universalistic values

Answer 19

Based on the belief that all individuals should be treated equally and given equal opportunities

Question 20

Meritocracy

Answer 20

A measurement of success based of values and achievements, a society where by jobs are allocated based on an individuals talents and achievements

Question 21

Collective consciousness

Answer 21

Shared set of values or beliefs (by society) that people have
For functionalists, this is achieved through successful socialisation through family, education and other institutions
Ensures society functions properly and able to change organically + in an orderly way

Question 22

Organic analogy

Answer 22

Durkheim
Each part of the body represents an institution in society e.g education, religion
If one part fails, then the whole body will fail, society must adapt to survive