Functionalism

Define ‘consensus theory’

Believes that the institutions of society are working together to maintain social cohesion and stability

Define ‘structural theory’

Looks at how the social institutions influence the running of society and individuals behaviours

Define ‘value consensus’

A majority of society agree with the goals that society sets to show success

Define ‘anomie’

A feeling of normalessness where a person doesn’t know what it means to be normal within society

What are social facts and who is the key thinker?

Durkheim → social facts are things such as institutions, norms and values which exist external to the individual and constrain the individual

Durkheim’s Ideas of Society:

• Society shapes the individual. It is a top down theory where the institutions of society influence the behaviour of the individual

• Social solidarity and cohesion is achieved and maintained through the socialisation process and learning of norms and values. Without this society can fall into anomie (normalessness)

What is the organic analogy and who used it?

Talcott Parsons → Society acts in a similar way to the human body through the way that social institutions interact in the same way as human organs

What are the three similarities between society and biological organisms?

1. System - Society and humans are systems of interconnected and interdependent parts which function for the good of the whole

2. System needs - Organisms like the human body have needs that need to be met and so does society. Social institutions have evolved to meet society’s needs

3. Functions - Just as the organs of the body function for the good of the whole so do social institutions, which have evolved functions which benefit society as a whole

What are the two means of maintaining value consensus and social order?

1. Formal social control - Official groups who enforce societies laws, such as the criminal justice system and the police

2. Informal social control - Other social groups such as family and peers who keep us in line through punishment and ostracization

What are the four basic needs of society?

(G) Goal attainment → Political function

(A) Adaption → Economic function

(I) Integration → Social harmony

(L) Latency → The unstated consequences of actions

(G) Goal attainment → Political function

Societies set goals and decisions about how power and economic resources are allocated

(A) Adaption → Economic function

Every society has to provide for the needs of its members in order for the society to survive

(I) Integration → Social harmony

Specialist institutions are developed to reduce conflict in society. Eg education and media create a sense of belonging

(L) Latency → The unstated consequences of actions

There are 2 types: Pattern maintenance = maintaining value consensus through socialisation and Tension management = opportunities to release tension in a safe way

Merton’s three main criticisms of Parson’s assumptions…

1. Indispensability

2. Functional unity

3. Universal Functionalism

Merton’s criticisms → Indispensability

Not all social institutions are functionally indispensable and there are functional alternatives. Eg the family are not the only institution that can perform primary socialisation

Merton’s criticisms → Functional unity

Not all social institutions are as tightly linked as Parsons suggests. Some institutions are quite far removed from each other eg the rules of banking and education

Merton’s criticisms → Universal Functionalism

Not all the institutions of society perform a positive function for society, instead for some people they are dysfunctional, eg domestic abuse makes the family dysfunctional for its members

What is the manifest function?

The intended function of a social institution. Eg the rain dance performed by the Hopi Indians with the intention of making it rain

What is the latent function?

The unintended function of a social institution. Eg the Hopi Indians, the rain dance helps to maintain social solidarity

Evaluation - Logical criticisms

• The theory is teleological: A thing exists because of its function or effect

• Contradictory: How can something be both functional and dysfunctional

• Unscientific: Impossible to falsify or verity the theory

Evaluation - Conflict Perspective

• Unable to explain conflict and change in society

• It is a conservative ideology that tries to maintain the status quo

• Legitimises the position of the powerful

Evaluation - Action Perspective

• Wrong (1961) says Functionalism is deterministic

• Functionalism reifies society, treating it as a distinct ‘thing’

Evaluation - Postmodern Perspective

• Unable to explain diversity and instability in society

• Functionalism is outdated due to being a metanarrative