FUNCTIONALISM

Question 1

What is the theory centred on?

Answer 1

The way different components of society work together to produce a stable society

Question 2

What did Durkheim emphasise and what did he compare society to?

Answer 2

Durkheim emphasised the importance of a socially integrated society held together by the collective consensus of the people. Furthermore, he compared a working to society with an analogy of the human body

Question 3

How did parsons develop durkheims initial analogy?

Answer 3

He claimed that society has 4 basic needs which are met by different subsystems in society. Similar to how the human bodies needs are met by organ systems.

Question 4

State the four basic needs and subsystems which they are met with

Answer 4

Adaptation (providing basic living) met by banks and factories.
Goal attainment (decision making) met by political institutions.
Integration (ensuring shared goals) met by schools and media
Latency (coping with society) met by family

Question 5

What does Merton think of parsons analogy?

Answer 5

He claims his approach is too simplistic as he does not address variations of institutions (like working dysfunctional families etc). He also doesn’t address hidden functions of institutions such as workplaces being places where couples meet and subsequently families begin.

Question 6

Give two advantages of the functionalist perspective

Answer 6

Provides basic reasoning and explanation for social stability.
Recognised links between major institutions in society

Question 7

Give two disadvantages of functionalism

Answer 7

Downplays the extent of conflict and unequal distribution of power
Ignored all harmful dysfunctions and unequal distribution of power