functionalism

how does functionalism view society?

it sees society as a stable function based on consensus

what is consensus?

an agreement on shared norms, values and beliefs.

how does functionalism view social institutions?

functionalists view the family, education and religion as connected parts which work together to maintain social order,

what kind of theory is functionalism

structural and modernist 

why is functionalism a modernist theory?

because it argues that large social structures (the state and economy) shape society and individual behaviour.

what were Durkheim’s key ideas?

• rapid social change affects society 

• social facts are external factors (laws, norms, values) that exist outside the individual but shape behaviour. 

• collective conscience creates social solidarity

who developed the core ideas of functionalism?

Emile Durkheim

what does Parson’s believe?

that society is the same as the human body - if one area fails then the other parts are affected (lungs, heart) + (family life, education)

what do functionalists believe about social instututions?

functionalists believe that education , work, religion , family have a specific role to maintain society and keep it stable. They also believe that every instutution helps to support us into the next instutuion and therefore fit into society.

what are functional prerequisites?

norms and values which induviduals need to abide by so that society stays stable and is maintained.

what do functional prerequisites include?

looking after the young and old, maintaining order / abiding by the rules and cooperating, teaching people skills, norms and values

what is the value consensus?

where society stays stable and peaceful because everyone shares the same values, norms and beliefs.

what does the value consensus help to achieve?

helps to determine the difference between right and wrong and reduces conflict as everyone agrees with each other.

what do functionalists believe about the value consensus

that it is a key to keep society alive and stable

what do functionalists believe about education

that if everyone values education and works hard then most people will abide by school rules and aim for success, this therefore creates order rather than chaos.