Structural theories- functionalism Flashcards
(30 cards)
Which are our structural theories?
Functionalism
Marxism
Feminism
What are the 3 similarities between society and the human body according to functionalists (organic analogy)?
They are both self-regulating and inter-related, both have needs, and both perform functions
According to Parsons (functionalism), how is social order achieved?
Through the existence of a shared culture, a cetral value system. It provides framework that allows individuals to cooperate, by laying down rules about how they should behave
What is value consensus (Parsons, functionalism)?
Where members agree on norms and values of society, it is the glue that holds society together.
The basic function of value consensus is therefore to make social order possible, how does it do this?
By integrating individuals into the social system, thereby directing them towards meeting the system needs. The system has two mechanisms dose ensuring that individuals conform to shared norms and meets the systems needs
The system has two mechanisms dose ensuring that individuals conform to shared norms and meets the systems needs, what are these?
Socialisation and social control
What is socialisation?
Where the social system teaches individuals socities norms and values. Individuals internalise thes and the norms and values become part of their personalit. There are number of different socialisation agencies.
What is social control?
Where there are positive sanctions that reward conformity, whilst negative sanctions punish deviance
Parsons identifies 4 basic needs, what are these?
Adaption, goal attainment, integration, and latency
What did Parsons mean by adaption?
The social system meets its members material needs. These are met by the economic sub-system
What did Parsons mean by goal attainment?
society needs to set goals and allocate resources to achieve them. This is the function of the political sub-system, through institutions such as parliament.
What did Parsons mean by integration?
the different parts of the system must be integrated together in order to pursue shared goals. This is performed by the sub-system of religion, education and the media
What did Parsons mean by latency?
refers to the processed that maintain society overtime. The kinship sub-system provides a pattern of maintenance and tension management.
What does Parsons describe adaption and goal attainment as?
Instrumental needs, meaning they function as a means to an end e.g., producing food to sustain the population.
What does Parsons describe integration and latency as?
Expressive needs as they involved the expression of channeling of emotions by carrying out their respective functions
Parsons identifies two types of society, what are they?
Traditional and modern
What does the traditional society include?
Collective interests, extended family, self-sufficient, lots of functions, agricultural, and rural
What does the modern society include?
Individual interest, nuclear family, lost functions, urbanisation, and industrial society
Merton criticises parsons’ system theory in 3 ways, what are they?
Indispensability- parsons assumes that everything in society is functionally indispensable, Merton argues that this is an untested assumption and that it i possible to have functional alternatives
Functional unity- complex modern societies have many parts, which are nor necessarily related, some may have functional autonomy from others
Universal functionalism- not everything performs positive functions, some things may be functional for some groups and dysfunctional for others
What is the central point behind Merton’s criticisms?
That we cannot simply assume that society is always and necessarily a smooth-running, well-integrated society.
How would feminists criticise functionalists?
Ignore patriarchy and the oppression on women. Ignores power inequality- gender roles are not biologically natural, they are socially constructed
How would Marxists criticise functionalists?
Ignores capitalism and class based inequality. Education-myth of meritocracy- education promotes ideology- doesn’t benefit everyone
How would action theorists criticise functionalists?
Functionalism is deterministic- it ignores free will and that individuals have choice. Roles aren’t fixed they are negotiated
How would postmodernists criticise functionalists?
Functionalists don’t acknowledge diversity and choice. Outdated, meta narrative view that is not accountable. Family diversity- don’t acknowledge new diversities of family.
