Functionalism Key Terms Flashcards
Theory (16 cards)
Socialisation
The process through which people learn the culture of their society
Division of labour
The separation of a work process into a number of tasks, with each task performed by a separate person or group of persons
Value consensus
The shared ideas and behaviours in a society that are considered ‘good’.
Social order
how institutions, groups, and values work collaboratively to keep a society stable and in order.
Collective conscience
All share value in total.
The set of shared beliefs, ideas, and moral attitudes which operate as a unifying force within society
Institutions
Structures that meet the needs of society. E.g. school, hospitals, post offices.
Dynamic conservatism
Energy being consumed to keep everything the same
Anomie
Normlessness/A break down of societal norms and expectations
Adaptation
Refers to the trade function/ability to adapt to the environment and meet the material needs of the people - Economic factor
Goal attainment
Society’s ability to set and meet goals for future development. E.g. to make profits, raise taxes plan + manage services - Political function
Integration
Societies abilities to maintain cohesion and social control by defining and dealing with deviance - Socialisation + Social control
Latency
Society’s need to have norms + values internalised (invisible) by its members through families, schools, religion etc - Primary and secondary socialisation
Manifest function
Things put in place intentionally to keep society moving forward
Latent Function
Unintended consequences from manifest functions
Functional structure
A theory that explains how parts of society work together to maintain stability + promote solidarity
Inequality
When some individuals or groups have more chance of success than others because of unfair advantages
