Functionalism

• In a nutshell

  Functionalism is a structural perspective that views social order as based on value consensus. Parsons believes society is a system of independent parts, in which the function of each part is to help meet the needs of the system. Individuals are integrated into the system through socialisation and social control.
• Organic analogy (Parsons)


  SYSTEM - Organisms and societies are both self-regulating system of interrelated parts that fit together in fixed ways. In the body, these are cells whereas in society these are institutions (education system, government etc).

  ​SYSTEM NEEDS- Organisms have needs, if these needs are not met, the organism will die. Functionalists see the social system as having basic needs (Eg. adequate socialisation) to maintain social order and survive.

  FUNCTIONS - The function for any system is based on the contribution it makes to meeting the system needs, which ensures survival.
• VALUE CONSENSUS & SOCIAL ORDER (PARSONS)

  Social order is achieved through a shared culture in a ‘central value system’.

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  A culture is a set of norms, values, beliefs and goals shared by members of society, that provides the framework for cooperation between individuals, and allows them to define general goals, norms and values for society.

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  Social order is only possible if we conform to such norms and values. Parsons calls this value consensus.
• INTEGRATION OF INDIVIDUALS (PARSONS)


  The system has two basic mechanisms for ensuring individuals conform to shared norms and meet systems needs:

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• INTEGRATION OF INDIVIDUALS (PARSONS)

  The system has two basic mechanisms for ensuring individuals conform to shared norms and meet systems needs:

  SOCIALISATION- The social system can ensure its needs are met by teaching individuals to internalise the norms and values through socialisation. Agents of socialisation include family, education system, media and religion.​ SOCIAL CONTROL - Positive sanctions reward conformity, negative ones punish deviance. (Eg. the value system stresses individual achievement through educational success, those who conform are rewarded with degrees).​
• SYSTEM NEEDS (PARSONS) ADAPTATION

  The social system meets its members’ material needs through the economic sub-system.
• SYSTEM NEEDS (PARSONS) GOAL ATTAINMENT


  Society needs to set goals and allocate resources to achieve them. This is the function of the political sub-system, through institutions such as parliament.​
• SYSTEM NEEDS (PARSONS) INTERGRATION

  The different parts of the system must be integrated together to pursue shared goals. This is the role of the sub-system of religion, education and media.
• SYSTEM NEEDS (PARSONS) LATENCY


  Refers to the processes that maintain society over time. The kinship sub-system provides pattern maintenance (socialising individuals to perform societies roles) and tension management (a place to relieve stresses after work).
• SOCIAL CHANGE (PARSONS)


  Parsons identifies the two types of society (traditional and modern):
• SOCIAL CHANGE (PARSONS) - TRADITIONAL SOCIETY

  Ascribed status - status based on fixed traits by virtue of existence (eg. royal family).

  Collective orientation - putting the group need before the individual need.

  Diffuseness - relationships are broad with a wide range of functions.

  Particularism - norms emphasise treating people differently through kinship.

  Affectivity - immediate gratification of desires.
• SOCIAL CHANGE (PARSONS) - ​MODERN SOCIETY


  Achieved status - status based on performance (eg. education).

  Self-orientation - individualism and pursuing self-interest.

  Specificity - relationships are narrow and limited to specific purposes and functions.

  Universalism - norms and values that apply to the whole nation and emphasise treating people equally.

  Affective neutrality - deferred gratification (eg. working for qualifications and long-term goals