Lecture 2 - Functionalism

Question 1

What is Functionalist Theory also known as?

Answer 1

Structural functionalism or consensus theory

Question 2

Sociology provides a framework within which to view..

Answer 2

Social Problems

Question 3

What Theory presents a macro view of society and focuses on large structures that shape society?

Answer 3

Functionalism

Question 4

What categories do social structures comprise of?

Answer 4

Institutions

Social groups

Statuses

Roles

Question 5

Main social institutions?

Answer 5

Family

Religion

Politics

Economics

Education

Question 6

What is the glue that holds society together?

Answer 6

Social stability
(Stable equilibrium within society)

Consensus
(Agreement within society (about norms and values))

Solidarity
(Mutual support within society)

Question 7

Functionalism Is the opposite of:

Answer 7

Dysfunctional

Question 8

What are the two functions of social institutions?

Answer 8

• Manifest functions

- Latent functions

Question 9

What is a manifest function?

Answer 9

Intended function

Question 10

What is a latent function?

Answer 10

Unintended function

Question 11

In the example of the education system, what are manifest functions and latent functions?

Answer 11

Manifest function: Learning maths, science etc

Latent function: Socialising and making friends or alienation

Question 12

Functionalists or functional theorists describe ways of “seeing society” using a —— perspective

Answer 12

Structural - functionalists perspective

Question 13

What century were early functionalism theorists writing and why?

Answer 13

18th and 19th century in a time of industrialisation and rapid social change in Europe.

(Theories were developed in an attempt to indeed stand this period and rapid social change)

Question 14

What early functionalism theorist coined the term positivism?

Answer 14

August Comte

1798 - 1857

Question 15

What early functionalism theorist was an English philosopher that saw society as an organism like the human body? References made to social Darwinism

Answer 15

Herbert Spencer

1820 - 1903

Question 16

What French sociologist is the most important sociologist for functionalism as a starting point (in the lecturers words) that held the following beliefs:

• Solidarity holds society together
• 2 ways of describing solidarity are mechanical and organic
• introduced idea of collective consciousness (norms beliefs and values)
• introduced idea of anomie: a state of normlessness or lack of the collective consciousness

Answer 16

Emile Durkheim

1858 - 1917

Question 17

Social facts is defined as:

Answer 17

The beliefs, tendencies and practices of the group taken collectively

Question 18

Are all social problems social facts?

Answer 18

Yes

Question 19

What are 2 examples of a social fact?

Answer 19

Divorce and addiction

Question 20

What is Mechanical solidarity

Answer 20

Feel connected through similarities (work, religion, lifestyle and familial networks)

Eg. Traditional farming society

Question 21

What is organic solidarity?

Answer 21

Complex societies, interdependence of component parts.

Eg. Modern society, production - like people flat sharing in cities, people working together and living together that wouldn’t normally or don’t have much in common

Question 22

What is the collective conscious?

Answer 22

Shared norms and beliefs eg marriage, ‘fair go’ and ‘the American dream’

Question 23

What is an anomie or ‘normlessness’?

Answer 23

Lack of collective conscious

Can happen after a big upheaval eg natural disaster, economic downturn, forced migration

Question 24

“Social ties and cohesion produced by the functional and social interdependence of individuals and groups in modern society”

Is called?

Answer 24

Organic solidarity

Question 25

“A society’s collectively shared beliefs and sentiments; has authority over social conduct” Is what?

Answer 25

Collective consciousness

Question 26

“When norms become weak or are in conflict with each other, society is in a state of ————-, or normlessness”

Answer 26

Anomie

Question 27

What functionalism theorist coined the bicycle wheel analogy ( that society is made up of independent but interdependent parts - like wheel spokes - one spoke breaks and the wheel malfunctions)

Answer 27

Talcott Parsons

Question 28

What criticisms did Talcott Parsons theories on functionalism face?

Answer 28

His ideas were too rigid and too conservative

Question 29

What are the four subsystems that Talcott Parsons integrate into his theory regarding society?

Answer 29

Adaptation (Economic subsystem) Integration (Legal subsystem) Goal Attainment (Political subsystem) Latency (Cultural subsystem)

Question 30

What Functionalism Theorist developed Manifest and Latent functions and dysfunctions, functional alternatives, strain theory and strain between culture and structure?

Answer 30

Robert Merton (1910 - 2003)

Question 31

What is known as “the paradigm of deviant behaviour”?

Answer 31

Strain theory

Question 32

Disjuncture between institutionalised means and cultural goals like the ‘American dream’ creates strain, which leads to crime and deviance. What is an example of this?

Answer 32

Mafia Pablo Escobar using illegal ways to rise to the top Great Gatsby - Jay Gatsby goes from rags to riches using illegal routes

Question 33

Functionalism has been a catalyst for what type of structure that has flowed through our society?

Answer 33

Capitalist structure

Question 34

Social pathology Social problems result from some ‘sickness’ in society. Society becomes ill when it’s parts or elements no longer function properly. Give an example:

Answer 34

Poverty results from institutional break down (economic, government and family institutions)

Question 35

Social disorganisation: Rapid social change disrupts the norms in society creating a state of anomie (normlessness). When norms are weak social problems can arise. Give an example:

Answer 35

The break down of a family leads to normlessness: stress drug use etc Could be argued going to university can create social disorganisation if away from family and structure that one has been accustomed to.

Question 36

Crime interestingly serves a function in society. What possible functions could Social Problems (ie crime) serve in society?

Answer 36

Demonstrates the limits of acceptable behaviour Severe punishment for those who breach our most cherished values Some criminal activity may lead to society change (apartheid) Indicates that society is not overly repressive

Question 37

Social problems can be functional or dysfunctional. For the example of homelessness who is it functional and dysfunctional for?

Answer 37

It is functional for: Organisations are created like Centrelink etc It is dysfunctional for homeless people, councils etc

Question 38

What are the criticisms of functionalism

Answer 38

Ignores influences of wealth and power on the formation of society Assumes the ‘balance point of society is fair’ Fails to recognise how inequalities can cause imbalance in society Less considerate for the individual - is focus on macro structure Critical thinking - for whom is the system functional?

Question 39

How can functionalism explain illegal drug use?

Answer 39

Illegal drug use as a response to weakening societal norms and consensus regarding acceptable behaviour Anomie May exist at the societal level, resulting in strains that lead to drug use Anomie May exist at the individual level, resulting in feeling of estrangement and isolation Illegal drug use as a response to the absence of a bind between the individual and society

Question 40

What sociologist coined the term ‘symbolic interactionism’ which focuses on the micro perspective

Answer 40

Herbert blumer. He argued that human beings act towards things based on the meanings attached to them, founded the idea that we are all social beings (building ideas from George H Mead)

Question 41

What sociologist focussed on the link between private troubles and public issues?

Answer 41

Charles Wright Mills