Functionalist View

Question 1

Media’s role

Answer 1

Functionalism posits that every social institution, including the media, has specific functions that contribute to the maintenance of social order. The media fills a very important duty to provide citizens with news entertainment and socialisation.

Question 2

View of media use for society

Answer 2

Societies are growing bigger and the mass media is a good medium to reach out to many people, which makes the mass media very important when it comes to providing information about what’s going on in other parts of the world to the public.

Question 3

Socialisation

Answer 3

The media is an agency of socialisation and helps to integrate people by communicating the common values, norms of society; it performs complimentary functions to the family and education. The mass media this reflects and reinforces value consensus and individualism, competition and financial success are all emphasised and encouraged.

Question 4

Entertainment

Answer 4

Another important function of the media is to provide entertainment. Television programs, movies, music, and other forms of media offer individuals an escape from their daily lives and a source of enjoyment. This function helps to alleviate stress, provide relaxation, and contribute to overall well-being.

Question 5

Information and Education

Answer 5

The media serves as a vital source of information and education. News outlets, documentaries, and educational programs provide individuals with knowledge about current events, scientific discoveries, and social issues. This function enables individuals to make informed decisions, participate in public discourse, and engage with the world around them.

Question 6

Social Control

Answer 6

The media also plays a role in maintaining social control by setting and reinforcing societal norms and values. Through its portrayal of deviant behavior and the consequences that follow, the media helps to discourage individuals from engaging in behavior that is deemed socially unacceptable. By highlighting the negative consequences of deviance, the media contributes to the maintenance of social order.

Question 7

Criticism- Determisitc

Answer 7

One of the main critiques is that functionalism tends to overlook the potential for conflict and power imbalances within society. It assumes that all individuals and social institutions are working together harmoniously to maintain social order, disregarding the inherent inequalities that exist.

Question 8

Criticism- Manipulation of media

Answer 8

functionalism may fail to account for the influence of the media in shaping public opinion and perpetuating inequalities. Critics argue that the media can be used as a tool of social control by those in power, shaping public discourse and promoting certain ideologies while suppressing others.