Functionalism

What is functionalism about

• • - structural consensus approach → behaviours are governed by structures
    - rose-tinted view of society
    - focus on positive aspects of behaviour & how culture works

• • - structural conflict approach → behaviours are governed by structures
    - rose-tinted view of society
    - focus on negative aspects of behaviour & how culture works

• • - structural consensus approach → behaviours are governed by action
    - rose-tinted view of society
    - focus on positive aspects of behaviour & how culture works

• • - structural conflict approach → behaviours are governed by action
    - dark-tinted view of society
    - focus on positive aspects of behaviour & how culture works

What does social solidarity means

• togetherness

• a set of values that people believe in

• structure of society

• how people behave

What does social order means

• togetherness

• a set of value that every one believes in

• structure of society

• how people behave

What is value consensus

• togetherness

• a set of belief of a system that everyone is socialised into

• structure of society

• how people behave

What is functional prerequisite

• togetherness

• a set of values that everyone is socialised into

• certain basic needs/ requirements of society

• structure of society

What does Durkheim said relating to a structural consensus theory?

• culture of society (structure) is more important than individual

• the system has 2 mechanisms of ensuring that individuals' conform: social control & socialisation

• society is built up & functions like a human body with interrelated parts working together to ensure the system works effectively

What are the two mechanisms to ensure conformity & according to who?

• social control & socialisation - Parsons

• social control & social order - Durkheim

• socialisation & social order - Parsons

• social order & social solidarity - Durkheim

How does a certain functionalist describe a society?

• society is built up & functions like a human body with interrelated parts working together to ensure the system works effectively - Durkheim

• society is based on the conflict between classes & the upper class will always take advantage of the lower classes - Marx

• society is no longer existed as a united body but rather compose of singular people following their own order - Pakulski & Waters

• society is based on patriarchal foundation - Greer

What is the role of a family, according to Parsons

• • - socialise children into desirable traits for society (Personality Factory)

  • - allows room for same sex socialisation

  • - adopt treatment based on individual child

• • - socialise children into dominant ideology of the ruling class

• • - socialise children into patriarchal ideology

  • - supports boys more than girls

• • - the family doesn't have any effect on children as they can reject what they have been taught

What theory agrees with Functionalism in terms of the importance of nuclear family? What did they say?

• absent fatherism' can lead to a lack of socialisation for a son - New Right

• absent fatherism' can lead to a lack of socialisation for a son - Marxist

• nuclear family is no longer important as there is no empirical evidence to prove children from other families perform worse - New Right

• nuclear family is no longer important as there is no empirical evidence to prove children from other families perform worse - Postmodernist