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Summary Theory and Methods ( Theories )
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Functionalism - (consensus and structuralism)- Modernist structuralist consensus theory rooted in the work of durkheim, refined by Parsons and Merton
- Very popular in the 1950s and 1960s
- Now it is regarded as inadequate and old fashioned
- Society =stable harmonious and integrated social system with social order and cohesion maintained
through value consensus.
- they see the structure of society as directing the behavior of its members. This structure consists of
institutions such as the family, religion and the judicial and political systems. These parts have a function that is the
contribution they make to maintain the whole.
1) Value Consensus 2) Integration of individuals 3) The parts of the social
system
society = stable harmonious and the system has to ensure that people’s
integrated social system with social material needs are met so it has a general each individual action we
order and cohesion maintained through value about the need for people to work perform helps build the
value consensus socialisation-teaching individuals to want social system
shared culture-central value system to do what the system requires them to each action we perform has
framework for individuals to cooperate keep it working norms or rules; these norms
by laying down rules about how they social control-positive sanctions reward come in clusters called
should behave conformity while negative ones punish status-roles
defines the goals people should pursue deviance
social order is only possible because of
this value consensus
4) The system’s needs 5) Types of Society 6) Social Change
adaptation- the social system meets its traditional society: structural differentiation - a
members’ material needs, these needs ascripton; status is based on fixed gradual process which
are met by the economic sub-system characteristics such as gender. diffuseness; separate, functionally
(shops, farms, banks etc..) relationships are broad with a range of specialised institutions
goal attainment - society needs to set purposes. particularism; norms emphasise develop each meeting a
goals and allocate resources to treating people differently. collective different need.
achieve them, this is done through orientation; putting the group’s interest first.
political sub-system moving equilibrium- a
integration - different parts of the modern society change occurs in one part
system must be integrated together to achievement; status is based on of the system, and therefore
pursue shared doals, this is done performance such as effort in education. produces changes in other
through subsystem of religion, specificity; relationships are narrow and parts.
education and media limited to specific purposes. universalism;
latency - processes that maintain norms emphasise treating everyone the
society over time, the kinship subsystem same. self orientation; individualism,
provides pattern maintenance and pursuing one’s own self interest.
tension management
, Topic 1: Functionalism
Key points Notes
Structural consensus Structural consensus theory. Agencies of socialisation pass on shared norms &
Value consensus values to create a harmonious society (value consensus). Society meets all
Functional members of society's needs.
Durkheim: Positivism, Key thinkers:
social cohesion. 1) Durkheim: Positivist – uses social facts to make conclusions about society.
Social order is maintained through similarity (social cohesion). Society moves
Parsons: Goal attainment, forward using deviant behaviours & evolving social norms/values.
adaptation, integration, 2) Parsons: Society is a system that has 4 functional prerequisites:
latent functions. A) Goal attainment: Resources need to be allocated to ensure needs of all in
society are met (e.g. government)
Merton: Internal criticism B) Adaptation: Ability of economy to meet material needs of the population
of Functionalism. C) Integration: How the population understands norms & values.
Dysfunctional. D) Latent functions: Pattern maintenance which prepares people for their
roles in future society (meritocracy). Tension management which allows
Evaluation: individuals to express tension in different ways.
Issues with falsifiability, Social changes occur in one part of the system which facilitates changes
determinism & ignoring elsewhere in society.
conflict. 3) Merton: Criticism of concept of universal functionalism (mainly Parsons).
Society can be dysfunctional. Strain theory suggests that inequality in
Contribution: society is the source of criminal behaviour. Sections of society can be
Grand narrative, independent/replaced (criticises organic analogy).
Positivism, New Right.
Evaluation:
● Functionalists find explanations for something that has already happened
(teleology– working backwards – meaning it is not scientific or falsifiable.
● Overly deterministic
● Ignores conflict in society (Feminism/Marxism)
Contributions of Functionalism
● First grand narrative – attempt to scientifically explain social behaviours
● Positivist methodology & influenced development of Sociology as a social
science
● Influenced the development of the New Right & understanding of a wide
variety of social structures (e.g. family & education).
Functionalism is a structural consensus theory. Society meets all members of
societies needs & creates a value consensus. There are 3 key thinkers. Durkheim,
Parsons & Merton. They have differing beliefs on the functions of society & how
social change occurs. Functionalists have been criticised for their issues with
Summary
falsifiability, determinism & ignoring conflict. They have made valuable
contributions to understanding society as they were the first grand narrative, they
influenced the development of Sociology as a social science with Positivism & the
influenced the New Right.
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