theories in theory and methods

Functionalism is a macro structural theory which focuses on the needs of the system as a whole and how these needs shape all the main features of society (People at the top structure of society and influential) Feminist Marxist and functionalist think this

It believes society is based on agreement among its members about values and goals and rules (We shape the structure of society through nitrations) Interactionlists think this

Parsons

Functionless society as being like a biological organism such as the human body. The body is made up of different parts E.G calls organs etc that function together to meet its needs and maintain the social system as a whole

System - organisms (Body, society) Are self regulating systems of Independent parts that fit together to fixed ways. in the body this is organ and cells and in society it is institutions like education system and the family and the individual roles teacher and mothers, System needs - Organisms have needs, e.g. nutrition If needs are not met the organism will die. Society has needs that must be met if it is going to survive E.G members need to be socialised for society to continue., Functions - The function of any part of a system is the contribution it makes to meeting the systems needs ensuring its survival E.G circulatory system carries oxygen organs economy maintains social systems by meeting the needs for food and shelter

However, functionalist are wrong to see society as a separate thing over above individuals with its own needs this comes from an action perspective

recognises that societies based on value consensus this is the glue that hold society together. The agreement on norms and values allows for social order to be possible the value consensus shared culture allows individuals to cooperate by laying down rules about how they should behave and what others should expect from them . The basic function of value consensus is to make Social order possible.

Individuals are integrated Into the social system directing them to meet the systems needs E.G. The system has to make sure that peoples material needs on that so the consensus includes the value about the need for people to work

Socialisation - The system socialise individuals to do what it wants to do society therefore becomes part of the individuals personality structure, Social control - conforming to the value consensus must be rewarded but Davian ax must be punished as a result an individual behaves in an orientated way towards pursuing societies goals and meeting needs

Individual actions governed by norms, These norms come in clusters called the status role (Statuses are positions that exist in a given social system E.G teachers. Roles are sat on norms at talus how the applicant of the status must carry out their duties.), status roles also come in clusters known as institutions. Related institutions are grouped into subsystems. E.G factories, shops, farms, banks, these subsystems make up the social system

Adaption - The economic system meets its members material needs, goal attainment- The political sub system set goals and resources to achieve them, Integration - The religion, media and education subsystems integrated to pursue shared goals, Latency - The kinship subculture provides pattern management (Socialisation) And tension management (A place to let off steam)

in traditional societies we were Ascription -Status is based on fixed characteristics whereas in modern society We have achievement - Status is based on performance, in traditional societies, we had diffuseness - Relationships broad with a range of purposes whereas in modern society they are specifically-Relationships are narrow and limited to specific purposes, In traditional society, we were particularism - norms Emphasis treating people differently whereas in modern society we have universalism – norms emphasis equality, In traditional societies we had Affectivity - immediate gratification of desires where is in modern society we have affective neutrality - Deferred gratification, In traditional societies we had collective orientation – putting the groups interest first whereas in modern society we have self orientation – individualism

As society developers the kinship system loses its functions to factorise,political parties,school,churches. structural differentiation refers to the gradual process in which Separate functionally specialised institutions develop Each meeting a different need. Gradual change also occurs through movements or dynamic equilibrium. As a change occurs in one part of the system it produces compensatory changes in other parts. E.G the rise of industrial brings change in the family from extended to nuclear therefore society gradually changed from one type to another.

indispensability- parson assumes that the family, religion etc is functionally indispensable. Merton reckons that are functional alternatives for example a single parent family could carry out primary socialisation just as effective as a nuclear family, Functional unity - 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., Universal functionalism - Parsons assumes that everything in society performs a positive function. Some things may be functional for some but dysfunctional for others. Parsons ignores these negative functions E.G conflicts of interest some groups have the power to make arrangements that benefit them at the expense of others conflict theories

Merton

Merton also contributes a useful distinction between manifest and latent functions. He he gives the example of the Hopi Indians who in times of drought perform a reign dance with the deliberate aim of magically producing rain. This is manifest (intended) function. The ritual may also have a latent(unintended) function such as promoting a sense of social solidarity in times of hardship. This distinction is useful in helping to reveal the hidden connections between social phenomena which the actors themselves may not be aware of.

some argues that functionalism is teleological. teleology Is the idea that things exist because of the effect or function? E.G the family exist because children need to be socialised. Many argues that something exists because it’s cause- A course comes before an effect, It is also criticised for being un scientific. A theory is only scientific if it is falsifiable by testing E.G they see deviant as dysfunctional and functional. The theory can therefore not be Proven and so isn’t scientific

Marxist criticise functionalism for its inability to explain conflicts and change. This is partly because of the organic analogy -Organisms are stable and harmonious where all parts work together for the common good marxist argue that society is not harmonious. It is based on exploitation and divided into classes where there are conflicting interests and unequal power. Stable existence as the Dominant class prevents change by using coercion or ideological manipulation. Shad values are a cloak hiding the interest of the dominant class., they see functionalism as a conservative ideology legitimising the status quo. it focuses on Harmony and stability instead of conflict and change among with its assumptions of universal function ism and in desirability all help to justify existing social order as inevitable and desirable. this legitimates the privileged position of powerful groups who would have the most to lose from any fundamental changes in society

Wrong criticises functionalists over socialised(deterministic) of the individual. He argues functionalists effectively say individuals have no free will and we are puppets whose strings are pulled by the social system. In contrast. The action approach sees individuals as creating society by their interactions. Our related criticism is that functionalism reifies society (they treat it as a distinctive thing over and above individuals with no needs)