Modernist Functionalist

• Functionalism :

  • Structural
  • Macro
  • Consensus
• Parsons :

  • Organic Analogy
  • Society = living being that adapts to its environment
  • Each component performs a function
• Durkheim :

  • Consensus values an important part of society
  • Creates social order + stability
• Consensus theory :

  • people in society have shared interests + society functioning on the basis of collective norms + values
• Primary + secondary socialisation (Parsons) :

  • Socialising agents promote conformity
  • Eg - school, work + parents
  • Failure to conform = sanctions
• Success in society is meritocratic :

  • Based on ability rather than class
• Neo-functionalists Mouzelis + Alexander :

  • Believes that society today does allow people to make individual choices + decisions
• Merton strain theory :

  • Socialised into the American dream
  • Have to work hard to get a reward = meritocracy
  • Conformist, innovator, retreatist, ritualist, rebel
• Merton (func) criticism for func:

  • Assumes something is either functional / not
  • When it can be both
  • Eg - religion can bring people together but also drive them apart
  • Extremism
• Functionist criticism :

  • Naive + openly optimistic
  • Emphasises consensus but ignores widespread conflict
  • Eg -between classes + gender
  • Fails to recognise history where society shaped by struggle
  • Eg - suffregette movement