Functionalism Lecture Notes

Flashcards reviewing key vocabulary and concepts from a Sociology lecture on Functionalism.

Functionalism

A sociological theory that considers that in every society there is a broad consensus amongst its members regarding shared norms and values.

Socialization

The process by which individual members of society are taught shared norms and values by various agencies such as family, religion, and the education system.

Social Control

Mechanisms to maintain social order by ensuring individual members adhere to shared norms and values; can be formal or informal.

Status

A position that we occupy in society with associated expectations.

Role

Expectations from the occupant of a particular status.

Social Institutions

Various parts of society that perform certain essential tasks for the continued existence and maintenance of the society.

Function

The positive effect or contribution of any social institution to the maintenance and well-being of the society as a whole.

Functional Prerequisites

Requirements that must be met if a society is to endure; a certain degree of order and stability is essential for the survival of social systems.

Conservative Bias (Criticism of Functionalism)

Functionalism is criticized for its inability to greatly account for changes in society and for justifying continuity.

Value Consensus (Criticism of Functionalism)

Functionalism is criticized for assuming there is value consensus in society when, in reality, there is often not.

Deterministic View (Criticism of Functionalism)

Functionalism is criticized for its deterministic view of human action and for ignoring conflict, violence, and oppression.

Teleological Explanations (Criticism of Functionalism)

Critics argue that functionalists employ teleological explanations that mistake the effect as a cause.

Ecological Fallacies (Criticism of Functionalism)

Functionalists are criticized for faulty reasoning in their interpretation of statistical data, deducing inferences about individuals from inferences about groups.

Organic Analogy

The idea that society is like an organism and its various parts, requiring an understanding of each part's relationship to other parts and to the maintenance of society and order.