Functionalism

Question 1

Modernity

Answer 1

Science replacing religion

1- industrial revolution
Family ties were weakened and geographical mobility increased

2- the enlightenment

Question 2

Organic analogy

Answer 2

Durkheim and Parsons
See society working in a similar way to the human body

Equilibrium- balance

Question 3

Prerequisites

Answer 3

Basic needs for existence

Question 4

Emile Durkheim

Answer 4

Society are constrained by ‘social facts’

Ways of acting and thinking

Question 5

Social facts

Answer 5

Cause people to behave in certain ways

E.g.- religion, location all impact

Question 6

Collection conscience

Answer 6

Consensus
Common beliefs

Without social solidarity would be impossible

Question 7

Threats to social stability

Answer 7

Egoism and anomie

Example- 2011 riots

Question 8

Anomie

Answer 8

Norm-lessness

No expected behaviour

Question 9

How is social equilibrium maintained?

Answer 9

Socialisation

Social control

Question 10

Fictional prerequisites

Answer 10

Pattern maintenance
Adaptation
Goal attainment
Interpretation

Question 11

Strengths

Answer 11

Useful in pointing out how society shapes individuals

Explains how most of the time social life is extremely ordered and predictable

Question 12

Weaknesses

Answer 12

Social action- would say that functionalism as a structural theory paints a passive picture of individuals

Deterministic theory- sees people as a creation of the system

Social action- norms and values can be rejected