Theories - Functionalism Flashcards
(27 cards)
Study note
Do this as more of an essay plan
How do Functionalists view society
Society is a system
Certain functions are important to allow this system to work properly and not fall apart.
A01 - Parsons
What is Parsons Organic analogy ?
Society operates like a biological system.
Institutions like - Family - education - government - media - religion all function like organs in a body.
Each part has a role in maintaining social order and stability ensuring society runs smoothly.
This means a value consensus can be maintained.
All these functions work together to keep society moving.
Organs in a body work together to keep the body working.
A02 -
Example of these functions maintaining a value consensus.
Role of Education
Education teaches us specialised skills and core values that help us succeed in the workplace. (Secondary socialisation).
The healthcare system allows members of society to fulfil their roles by making sure we are fit and healthy so we can attend work.
Working members of society can contribute to the economy.
A03 - Criticism of Parson
How does Merton Criticise Parsons ideas?
Merton challenges 3 key assumptions of functionalism.
Indispensability
Functional unity
Universal functionalism
(Talk about further on general criticisms)
What is value consensus how does it help society function?
Durkheim/Parsons
Society will function smoothly when individuals share common values - norms - beliefs.
This shared agreement helps people to cooperate and work towards collective goals.
This prevents chaos/conflict.
Institutions such as family/Education play a crucial role in instilling these values. (Primary/Secondary socialisation)
What is Social order how does it help society function?
What does Durkheim say about collective consciousness ?
What does this ensure?
- Social order is maintained through socialisation and institutions that regulate behaviour.
- Durkheim - Collective consciousness - shared norms and values create unity.
(Laws/traditions/moral codes) reinforce this order. - ensuring individuals conform to societal expectations.
How can this theory be applied to real life examples?
Schools teaching shared values.
(Respect - discipline - societal integration)
Laws - Reflect value consensus by defining acceptable behaviour.
(Keeping order and social cohesion).
Recap what is value consensus?
Glue that holds society together
Socialisation and social control
Parsons
The system has 2 mechanisms for ensuring that individuals conform to shared norms and meet the systems needs.
What is Socialisation?
Individuals internalise the systems norms and values.
Society becomes apart of their personality structure.
Different agencies of socialisation like the family-education system- media all contribute to this process.
What is Social control?
Positive sanctions reward conformity negative sanctions punish deviance.
Mechanisms that regulate behaviour - Laws - educational punishment - family expectations. All help to maintain order and prevent deviance.
What makes orderly social life possible?
The behaviour of everyone will be relatively predictable/stable.
What are Parsons 4 basic needs that ensure societies needs are met?
Adaptation
Goal Attainment
Integration
Latency
Explain Adaptation
The social system meets its members material needs through the economic sub-system.
Society must adapt to its environment by securing resources and distributing them.
(Functional fit theory)
Explain Goal Attainment
Society needs set goals and allocate resources to achieve them.
This is the function of the political subsystem. (Parliament)
Example - Pupil premium policy (Education)
Goal = Improve academic outcomes for students from low-income backgrounds.
Attainment = Resources - extra funding allocated.
Explain integration
The different parts of the system must be integrated together to pursue shared goals.
This is the role of religion - education - family - media.
Example - Vertical integration in the film industry.
(Having control over the media production and distribution allows companies to promote values.
Explain Latency
Processes that maintain society over time.
The kinship sub-system provides pattern maintenance (socialising individuals to perform societies roles) and tension management (a place to relieve stresses after work).
(Warm bath theory)
How do societies change?
Move from simple to complex structures
Development of society
Structural differentiation
Gradual change (Dynamic equilibrium)
Move from simple to complex structures
(In traditional society a single institution would perform multiple functions - family)
Development of society means certain systems loses functions to schools/Workplace
Parsons calls this (Structural differentiation)
A gradual process in which separate functionally specialised institutions develop.
Each meeting a different need.
Gradual change (Through Dynamic equilibrium) - As change happens in one institution it produces compensatory changes in another part.
(Extended nuclear families).
Recap - Criticisms of functionalism
(Internal criticism)
(Merton - another functionalist)
(Against Parsons ideas)
Indispensability
Functional Unity
Universal functionalism
What is Indispensability ?
Parsons assumed that every institution in society is necessary in its current form.
Merton - Alternative structures could serve the same function
(Other family types can perform same function as the nuclear family)
What is Functional Unity ?
Parsons believed all parts of society are interconnected and work harmoniously.
Merton - Some institutions operate independently.
Society wouldn’t necessarily collapse if one changed or was removed.
What is universal functionalism?
Parsons assumed that all aspect of society provide a positive function.
Merton - Some institutions can be dysfunctional for certain groups.
(Align more with conflict perspectives - Marxism)
Criticisms of functionalism
External
Conflict theorists
Social action
Postmodernism
