C&I Functionalism

• What is the functionalist view of culture?

  Culture promotes social cohesion and stability
• What does social construction refer to?

  Beliefs produced by society, not nature
• What is anomie?

  Unclear norms and values in society
• What does consensus theory suggest?

  Society is based on shared norms and values
• How does social cohesion function in society?

  Individuals are united by shared ideas and values
• What is the main role of culture according to functionalists?

  To promote social cohesion through socialisation
• How did Durkheim compare culture in pre-industrial and modern societies?

  Pre-industrial societies had clear norms; modern societies are complex
• What role did social institutions play in pre-industrial societies?

  They socialised individuals into value consensus
• How did urbanisation and industrialisation affect individual choice?

  They led to more choices in beliefs and actions
• What is the impact of socialisation in modern societies?

  It continues to maintain social order despite complexity
• What do Marxists believe about culture?

  It serves the interests of the ruling class
• How do feminists view the functionalist approach to culture?

  They see it as based on patriarchal interests
• What do interpretivist sociologists argue about functionalists?

  Functionalists overstate the influence of institutions
• What is the postmodernist critique of the functionalist view?

  Culture is diverse, not dominated by one consensus
• What are norms?

  Expected forms of behavior in society
• How do norms vary across cultures?

  They differ by culture and change over time
• What is the role of socialisation in society?

  It passes on norms, values, and culture
• What is consensus in relation to norms and values?

  Members agree on behavior and shared interests