Essay
Explain and briefly evaluate functionalism (12 marks)
- Course
- Institution
- Book
Explain and briefly evaluate functionalism (12 marks)
[Show more]
Connected book
Book Title:
Author(s):
- Edition:
- ISBN:
- Edition:
More summaries for
-
Assess the view that the nuclear family can no longer be seen as the normal family in UK society (24 marks)
-
OCR Research methods Revision knowledge organiser
-
5 types of culture and sociological Theorys
Seller
Follow
farahkarim
Content preview
Explain and briefly evaluate functionalism (12 marks)The concept of functionalism by a sociological definition is the theory that society is a complicated
system that has specific parts that work together to create social solidarity and stability. Sociologists
such as Durkheim believe that the members within the society must work together to feel a sense of
social solidarity and a feeling of belonging. Durkheim argues that for society to work properly, the
individuals must not put themselves before their society as a whole. If an individual does this they
may feel a sense of “anomie” or normlessness. The individual may lose their sense of identity and
belonging. Anomie is the break down of society due to an individual putting themselves before the
larger society. The individual won’t feel a sense of belonging and part of said society.
Another functionalist sociologist “Parsons” saw the importance of socialisation and value consensus
within society. Socialisation from primary socialisation like family is important for the values and
norms within the individual. But where it gets interesting is secondary socialisation which relies on
the institutions within society like school, the workplace and some aspects of religion. These
institutions must work together to create the shared norms and values within society. Organic
analogy is often the comparison used for society. Each part of the system is a vital piece for it to run
and function. Functionalism is often described as a structural theory due to its clearcut structure.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller farahkarim. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $13.85. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
52510 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy study notes for 14 years now