Functionalism Theory

AQA Sociology A Level Theory

What type of theory is Functionalism

Macro, structural, consensus theory

What was traditional society based on

Mechanical society

What is mechanical solidarity

Very little division of labour, where all members are alike and there is a strong collective concscience

Who came up with mechanical solidarity

Durkheim

How is social order achieved

A central value system

Value consensus

Members of society agree on norms and values

Organic analogy

Parsons

Universalistic standards

Judged by the best standards

What are the 3 similarities between society and a biological organism

System organisms

System needs

Functions

System organisms

Both regulating systems of inter-related, interdependent parts that fit together in fixed ways. In the body these are parts are organs, in society they are institutions

System needs

Organisms have needs, if they are not met the organism will die. Functionalists see the social system as having basic needs that must be met if it is to survive, ie socialisation

Functions

The function of any part of a system is the contribution it makes to meeting the systems needs and thus ensuring its survival

2 ways of ensuring that individuals conform to shared norms and meet the systems system

Socialisation

Social control

Socialisation

Different agencies of socialisation all contribute to this process

Social control

Positive sanctions reward conforming, while negative ones punish deviance

Functional prerequisites

Parsons

AGIL Schema

Adaption

Goal attainment

Integration

Latency

Adaption

The social system meets its members material needs through the economic sub-system

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

Integration

The different parts of the system must be integrated together to pursue shared goals. This is the role of the sub-system of religion, education and the media

Latency

Processes that maintain society over time. This kinship sub-system provides pattern maintenance and tension management

Adaption and goal attainment

Instrumental needs

Integration and latency

Expressive needs

Structural differentiation

Societies move from simple to complex structures

Dynamic equilibrium

Parsons

What is dynamic equilibrium

As a change occurs in one part of the system, it produces a compensatory change in other parts

Merton EVAL of Parsons

Indispensability

Functional unity

Universal functionalism

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Indispensability

Parsons assumes that everything in society is functional indispensable in its existing form. Untested assumption and he points to the possibility of functional alternatives

Functional unity

Parsons assumes that all parts of society are tightly integrated into a single whole, and that each part is functional for the rest. Some parts may be interdependent.

Universal functionalism

Parsons assumes that everything in society performs positive functions for society as a whole. Some parts of society may be dysfunctional for certain groups

Logical EVAL

Teleological (exits because of its effect or function)

Marxist EVAL

Unable to explain conflict and change

Society is not a harmonious whole, based on exploitation and divided into classes with conflicting interests and unequal power

Social Action EVAL

Wrong criticises their deterministic view of the individual

Individuals have no free will or choice

Postmodernist EVAL

Functionalism assumes that society is stable and orderly, does not account for diversity and instability in postmodern society

Metanarrative