functionalism

• Who is credited with developing functionalism as a systematic theory of society?

  Talcott Parsons
• What analogy do functionalists use to describe society?

  Organic analogy
• What are the three similarities Parsons identifies between society and a biological organism?

  System, system needs, functions
• What does the term 'system' refer to in functionalism?

  Self-regulating systems of interrelated parts
• What is the function of any part of a system in functionalism?

  Contribution to meeting the system's needs
• How does Parsons define social order?

  Through a shared culture or central value system
• What is value consensus according to Parsons?

  Agreement on norms and values among members
• What role does value consensus play in society?

  It integrates individuals into the social system
• What are the two mechanisms Parsons identifies for ensuring conformity to norms?

  Socialisation and social control
• How does socialisation contribute to functionalism?

  It teaches individuals to internalise norms and values
• What are positive sanctions in social control?

  Rewards for conformity
• What does Durkheim's concept of 'mechanical solidarity' refer to?

  Traditional society with little division of labor
• What is anomie according to Durkheim?

  A state of normlessness threatening social cohesion
• How does Durkheim view society in relation to its members?

  As a separate entity shaping behavior
• What are status-roles in Parsons' model of the social system?

  Positions governed by specific norms or rules
• What is the AGIL schema in functionalism?

  Four basic needs of the social system
• What does 'adaptation' refer to in the AGIL schema?

  Meeting members' material needs
• What is the role of the political sub-system in society?

  Setting goals and allocating resources
• What does 'integration' refer to in the AGIL schema?

  Bringing different parts of society together
• What is the function of the kinship sub-system according to Parsons?

  Providing pattern maintenance and tension management
• How does Parsons describe the process of structural differentiation?

  A gradual process of developing specialized institutions
• What is the difference between traditional and modern societies according to Parsons?

  Norms and values differ between the two types
• What does Parsons mean by 'dynamic equilibrium' in social change?

  A gradual change maintaining balance in society
• What is the organic analogy in sociology?

  It compares organisms to social systems.
• How have organisms evolved according to the organic analogy?

  From simple structures to complex organisms.
• What does Parsons call the process of separate institutions developing in society?

  Structural differentiation.
• What happens to the kinship system as societies develop?

  It loses functions to other institutions.
• What is dynamic equilibrium in Parsons' theory?

  Changes in one part cause compensatory changes elsewhere.
• Who critiques Parsons' systems theory from within functionalism?

  Robert K. Merton.
• What does Merton argue about the assumption of indispensability?

  It is an untested assumption with functional alternatives.
• What does Merton mean by functional unity?

  All parts of society are tightly integrated.
• How does Merton's view differ from Parsons regarding societal parts?

  Some parts may have functional autonomy.
• What is the concept of universal functionalism in Parsons' theory?

  Everything in society performs a positive function.
• What does Merton's idea of dysfunction introduce to functionalism?

  Conflicts of interest among different groups.
• What is the manifest function of the Hopi Indians' rain dance?

  To magically produce rain.
• What is a latent function of the Hopi Indians' rain dance?

  Promoting solidarity in hardship.
• How does Merton's distinction between manifest and latent functions help sociology?

  It reveals hidden connections in social phenomena.
• What are the four types of external critiques of functionalism?

  Logical, conflict perspective, action perspective, postmodernist.
• What is a logical criticism of functionalism?

  It is teleological in its explanations.
• Why is functionalism considered unscientific by some critics?

  It cannot be falsified by testing.