functionalism

What are the key features

. Structural approach - society shapes & influences the individual

. Consensus theory - all institutions should work together to maintain stability & cohesion - held together by creating a value consensus

. Modernist theory - we can obtain true knowledge of the functioning of society - used to improve society

Durkheim key beliefs

Collective consensus

Social solidarity

Social order is important because we are naturally greedy so we need to be constrained

As societies evolved people became more individualistic & maintaining order became difficult

What are the two types of social solidarity

Mechanical - based on shared values & similarities

Organic - based on interdependence, individuals fulfil specialised roles but rely on each other to function

What are social facts

Institutions, norms & values which exist external to the individual

E.g. gender, the nuclear family, queuing

- violating social facts confirms their existence - those who act against them are typically sanctioned

What did Durkheim find in his suicide study

Unmarried & childless individuals were more likely to commit suicide because they lacked social integration & felt disconnected

Evaluations of Durkheim

. Conflict perspective - unable to explain conflict within society - legitimises the position of the powerful

Action perspective - Dennis Wrong - deterministic, treats individuals like passive puppets rather than active members of society

Postmodern perspective - outdated, unable to explain diversity & instability in society

What are Parsons theories

Organic analogy

4 needs for society - GAIL

What are the 3 parts of the organic analogy

1. Society & humans are systems of interconnected & independent parts which function for the good of the whole

2. Both society & the human body have needs that need to be met - social institutions have evolved to meet societies needs

3. Social institutions & the body function for the good of the whole

What are the 4 functional prerequisites

1. Goal attainment - the setting & achievement of societal goals

2. Adaption - the systems ability to adapt to its environment

3. Integration - the need to maintain social unity

4. Latency - maintaining norms & values across generations

Who criticises Parsons & why

Merton

- not all social institutions are indispensable because there are functional alternatives e.g. communes rather than family

- not all institutions perform a positive function e.g. dark side of the family

According to Merton what are the 2 functions social institutions perform

Manifest (intended) functions

Latent (unintended) functions

He argued that every social institution could have unintended consequences that might actually work against social stability (dysfunctions)

Evaluations of Merton

Makes functionalism more realistic by acknowledging that not every social structure works to maintain harmony

Allows functionalists to explain both positive & negative consequences - preventing them from being rose-tinted