Functionalism
- shares idea that society needs shared norms and values in order to function properly
- a consensus and macro structuralist theory
- PARSONS developed it as a theory
Macro - analyses society as a whole and how it functions
- View society as a system of integrated parts that function harmoniously together
Organic anology
- believe in general consensus in society - although different cultures and societies differ
- society seeks stability & avoids conflict
Main assumptions
- body made of organs & muscles that work together to maintain body
- see society same way - social institutions being the organs that work together maintaining social order
- suggested that societies have basic needs in order to survive like the body
3 similarities between body & society
- both self-regulating systems - of inter-related parts that fit together. body = organs, society = institutions & individual roles
- both have needs - society needs people to be socialised if society is to continue
- each has different systems that have important functions - e.g economy helps maintain peoples needs for food and culture
value consensus - agreement among society’s members about what values are important; a shared
culture - allows us to get along
- created by socialisation and social control
- society tries to ensure that its members behave as others expect them to
- Four Basic Needs of Society
-Adaption - The economy is the main institution concerned with this function
-Goal Attainment - The government or political systems are responsible for setting goals
- PARSONS argues - social order achieved through shared culture
- provides framework - allows individuals to cooperate by laying down rules about how they should behave and what others expect of them
- Social Order only possible if people agree on the norms & values
-Integration - Adjustment and conflict in society is maintained by the legal system or the law
- latency - maintenance of basic norms/values in society.
Criticisms
- ignores some institutions can be dysfunctional as well as functional
E.G. religion can bring people together but also cause issues
- Rose tinted view of society
focus too much on positives ignoring the negatives