functionalism

• system = they’re both self-regulating systems of independent parts that work together e.g for society its institutions • system needs = society has basic needs to survive e.g humans need to be socialised • functions = the function of a system is the things that allow the system to meet these needs and ensure survival

social order is achieved through a shared culture - a central value system that provides. framework by laying down rules on how to behave social order is only possible if people agree on these values - a value consensus

• Adaption = Every society has to provide for the needs of its members in order for the society to survive • Goal attainment = a society is only possible when there are common standards: the society must have a collective goal, and acceptable means for achieving it. • Integration = Specialist institutions develop to reduce conflict in society. For example, education and media create a sense of belonging. • latency = The unstated consequences of actions, processes that maintain society – there are 2 types of latency: Pattern Maintenance: Maintaining value consensus through socialization and Tension Management. Opportunities to release tension in a safe way

adaption and goal attainment instrumental refers to the means to an end

integration and latency involve the expression or channeling of emotions

parsons assumes everything in society is necessary in its existing form - merton says this is an untestable assumption and points to the possibility of a functional alternative e.g lone parent family instead of nuclear

socialisation - the social system can ensure its needs are met by teaching individuals to want to do what it requires them to do - internalise the norms social control - positive sanctions reward conformity while negative ones punish deviance

Parsons assumes that an everything in society performs a positive function for society as a whole - but somethings may be functional for some groups but dysfunctional for others

parsons assumes that all parts of society are tightly integrated into a unity and that each part is functional for the rest assumes that change in one part will have a knock on effect on all other parts but complex modern societies have many parts which may be distantly related instead of functional unity some parts have functional autonomy - independence from others

they criticise functionalism for their inability to explain conflict and change society is not harmonious - its based on exploitation and class division with unequal power stability is the result of the dominant class being able to prevent change

criticised for being deterministic functionalists see humans as shaped by society but action approach - individuals create society with their interactions