Functionalism Theory

Macro, structural, consensus theory

Mechanical society

Very little division of labour, where all members are alike and there is a strong collective concscience

Durkheim

A central value system

Members of society agree on norms and values

Parsons

Judged by the best standards

System organisms

System needs

Functions

Both regulating systems of inter-related, interdependent parts that fit together in fixed ways. In the body these are parts are organs, in society they are institutions

Organisms have needs, if they are not met the organism will die. Functionalists see the social system as having basic needs that must be met if it is to survive, ie socialisation

The function of any part of a system is the contribution it makes to meeting the systems needs and thus ensuring its survival

Socialisation

Social control

Different agencies of socialisation all contribute to this process

Positive sanctions reward conforming, while negative ones punish deviance

Parsons

Adaption

Goal attainment

Integration

Latency

The social system meets its members material needs through the economic sub-system

Society needs to set goals and allocate resources to achieve them. This is the function of the political sub-system, through institutions such as Parliament

The different parts of the system must be integrated together to pursue shared goals. This is the role of the sub-system of religion, education and the media

Processes that maintain society over time. This kinship sub-system provides pattern maintenance and tension management

Instrumental needs

Expressive needs

Societies move from simple to complex structures

Parsons

As a change occurs in one part of the system, it produces a compensatory change in other parts

Indispensability

Functional unity

Universal functionalism

Parsons assumes that everything in society is functional indispensable in its existing form. Untested assumption and he points to the possibility of functional alternatives

Parsons assumes that all parts of society are tightly integrated into a single whole, and that each part is functional for the rest. Some parts may be interdependent.

Parsons assumes that everything in society performs positive functions for society as a whole. Some parts of society may be dysfunctional for certain groups

Teleological (exits because of its effect or function)

Unable to explain conflict and change

Society is not a harmonious whole, based on exploitation and divided into classes with conflicting interests and unequal power

Wrong criticises their deterministic view of the individual

Individuals have no free will or choice

Functionalism assumes that society is stable and orderly, does not account for diversity and instability in postmodern society

Metanarrative