talcott parsons

sociology

who is he ?

• key thinker of functionalism

• extended Durkheim’s work

• developed functionalism as a systematic theory

how is parsons view of functionalism different to Durkheim’s?

parsons developed functionalism as a systematic theory

Durkheim developed functionalism as a modernist, structural theory

what does parsons view society as, and what is the name for it

parsons views society as a biological organism

this is called the organic analogy

how did Parson’s use the organic analogy to describe society as a system?

Parson’s described society as a self regulating system of inter-dependant parts. eg: family, education, law. Parson’s relates this to the system of inter-connected parts within an organism, eg: circulatory system.

how did parsons use the organic analogy to desribe socital needs

to survive, society must meet basic needs, induviduals need to be socialised and taught basic needs and values, without this society would collpase. Parson’s relates this to how an organism cannot survive without oxygen or food.