The functionalist perspective

Question 1

What are the 3 different perspectives within functionalism?

Answer 1

MACRO - views society as a whole
STRUCTURAL - Idea that behaviour must be understood in the context of the social system or structure that they live in
TOP-DOWN - The idea that individuals are the product of social structures and socialisation.

Question 2

What are Durkheim’s values?

Answer 2

He values consensus and believes that we share the same values and social norms which lead to cohesion (collective conscience)

Question 3

What are the 3 theories that Parsons supports?

Answer 3

1. Biological sex role theory
2. Warm bath theory
3. The bridge analogy

Question 4

What is special about Merton?

Answer 4

He is an internal critique, he is the functionalist who hates functionalism. He believes the world is too rose tinted and he focuses on Manifest and latent functions.

Question 5

What does ANOMIE mean?

Answer 5

Normlessness

Question 6

What does EGOISM mean?

Answer 6

Selfishness

Question 7

What is a CONSENSUS?

Answer 7

No fundamental conflict - it’s harmonious

Question 8

Explain the ‘biological sex role’ theory

Answer 8

EXPRESSIVE - homemaker = women
INSTRUMENTAL - Breadwinner = men

This is the idea that a nuclear family is centred around a working man who is the breadwinner and the wife will stay home and take care of the children and keep the house clean.

Question 10

Explain the ‘warm bath’ theory

Answer 10

It’s the idea that family are like a warm bath for the working man. Their purpose is to provide emotional support and soothe the man after a long day of work.

Question 11

Explain the bridge analogy

Answer 11

There is a bridge:

Family —————-Education—————society

Parsons focuses on the idea that initially the point of primary socialisation is within the family however that then switches onto the school. The school acts as a bridge between family and society, preparing students for their adult roles in society.

Question 12

What does Durkheim say about crime?

Answer 12

Crime is necessary, beneficial and inevitable

Question 13

What is the manifest of crime? (Intended impact)

Answer 13

The manifest is the criminal justice system, they are aiming to prevent crime.

Question 14

What is the latent function of crime? (the later effect)

Answer 14

Hearings in court can lead to unfair trials through factors such as racism and sexism which are unintentional but still happen due to the manifest.

Question 15

Describe Spencer and Malinowski’s organic analogy

Answer 15

The idea is that humans need the organs like society needs the structures. This creates:
- Interconnectedness
- Reliance
- Necessity

Question 16

Explain strain theory in terms of the American Dream.

Answer 16

The American dream provides the perfect life; white picket fence, lovely house, good job, nice car and family.
When we can’t achieve this, we experience strain and often turn to crime as an escape.

Question 17

Explain the 2 types of social control

Answer 17

FORMAL - the government and the Criminal Justice System; they are secondary socialisation
INFORMAL - family, peers and friends; primary socialisation

Question 18

What does social control sprout from?

Answer 18

Social Order