Theory and methods – SCLY4 - PowerPoint Presentation

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Theory and methods – SCLY4How useful is functionalism?

Learning outcome – to have total mastery of functionalism at wizarding level 10+Slide2

Useful

Uses a straightforward analogy – organic analogy (Parsons) to explain how society is set up

The organic analogy is…Slide3
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Not usefulFunctionalists are wrong to see society as a separate ‘thing’ over an above individuals with it’s own needs (this comes from an action perspective)Slide5
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Useful

Explains social order well through arguing that this is achieved through the existence of shared culture, norms, values, beliefs… (Parsons – Value Consensus)

However not useful because…Slide7

Not usefulFunctionalist assume society is stable and orderly. As such, it can’t account for the diversity and instability in our post modern society.Slide8

Useful

3. Explains well how we learn shared norms and values – socialisation and social control. We can clearly see when people haven’t been effectively socialised…Slide9
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Not usefulDenis Wrong (1961) – action perspective

Functionalists present an ‘over socialised’ and deterministic view of the individual

Functionalists say that we are shaped to meet the systems needs by performing prescribed roles = no free will, we are just puppets whose strings are being pulled by the systemSlide11
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useful

Recognises issues to do with rapid social change/how our society has changed

Durkheim was concerned with how society had changed from being traditional (based on mechanical solidarity – characterised by little division of labour + strong collective conscience) to modern society which has a division of labour which undermines social solidarity.

Rapid social change = anomieSlide13
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usefulExplains how we fit into the system of society and how society works

Parson’s AGIL model (adaptation, goal attainment, integration, latency) says society has basic needs for it to run smoothlySlide15
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Useful – Parsons explains the differences between traditional and modern societySlide18

UsefulCraib

1992

notes that Parsons’ theory ‘has it’s faults, but at least it is a theory of society as a whole’Slide19

Useful

Parsons (like Durkheim) was concerned with social change

As societies develop the kinship systems lose functions to schools, churches, hospitals

etc

This is called his ‘loss of functions thesis’

Not a bad thing

Family becomes specialised through structural differentiationSlide20

Not useful – teleological criticismHow can we explain things in terms of there function being the cause

E.g. the functionalists claim that the family exists to socialise kids – it explains the family in terms of its effect

Logically things need to be explained in terms of the cause and how this relates to effectSlide21
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Not useful

Merton criticises Parsons

Parsons assumes that the family, religion etc is functionally indispensable. Merton reckons there are ‘functional alternatives’ i.e. a single parent family could carry out primary socialisation just as effectively as a nuclear family

Parsons assumes that all parts of society are tightly linked and that each is functional for the rest – this isn’t true in complex modern society – some parts may only be distantly linked

Parsons assumes that everything in society performs a positive function – some things may be functional for some but dysfunctional for othersSlide23

So basically Parsons makes lots of assumptions…Slide24

UsefulMerton introduces the notion of manifest and latent functions – this seems to make sense and reveals hidden aspects which we might not be aware of. Slide25
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useful

Durkheim did research on suicide using the scientific methodSlide27
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Not usefulFunctionalism is criticised for being unscientific – i.e. how can something be functional and dysfunctional at the same time (deviance) – this can’t be disproved and therefore is unscientificSlide29
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So – how useful do you think functionalism is as a theory of society???