functionalist key terms

consensus theory

people in society as having shared interests and society functioning on the bias of there being a broad consensus on its norms and values

organic analogy

society functions like the body- its organic system that is self maintained and self supporting and helps to maintain other aspects of society so the various institutions act as the organs of the body (e.g brain is education)

primary socialisation

takes place during childhood years when infants learn basic skills (language and cognitive) and values from their primary relationships which are usually the family

secondary socialisation

takes place within a small group or community (e.g school) that are beyond family but part of society

value consensus

need for societies to have a common set of beliefs and principles to work with and forward

social solidarity

is the idea of a well-intergrated and functioning society where all members have to socialised into its share norms and values

collective consciousness

the collective consciousness of society is the shared set of values or beliefs that people have. for functionalists this is achieved through successful socialisation through family, education and other institutions and ensures that society functions properly and is able to change organically and in an orderly way

anomie

state of normlessness: the lack of cohesion and solidarity that is oftern accompanied rapid social change

particularistic values

the social group of norms and values that are specific to a particular group in society. they shape an individuals behaviour and interactions in the communities

universalistic values

set of shared norms and values which are universal, these help individuals understand their roles and responsibility within society

meritocracy

society where by jobs+pay are allocated based on an indivduals’s talent +achievements rather than social status

ascribed status

social status assigned from birth or assumed involuntary later in life

achieved status

the position of society in which individuals gain through their own efforts rather than being born into