Introduction to Functionalism
- Created by: Sophia Booth
- Created on: 24-09-18 15:22
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INTRODUCTION TO FUNCTIONALISM
SOCIAL ACTION
- interpretivist.
WHAT IS FUNCTIONALISM?
- oldest of the 'grand theories'.
- Parsons was a american theorist and Durkheim was a UK theorist.
- Durkheims view of society can be broadly described as 'functionalist'.
* had the idea that society can be understood scientifically and that human behaviour is governed by a set of understandable 'laws' designed to preserve the 'health' of the wider society. - Functionalists argue that society cannot be understood as a series of isolated component parts.
* sometimes described as a 'consensus theory' because functionalists see society as based on shared values. - Functionalists believe human relationships are governed by rules that reflect the values of society and that those rules and values are then turned into sets of roles and models.
* rule-governed social relationships become the framework or structure of society.
* family, education system and political system are all part of this structure.
+ referred to institutions of society by functionalists. - Key Principles :
* socities need basic needs to live. They are called functional prerequisties. Includes basic things such as producing enough food and housing for the population. - functionalists see society as a system made up of interconnected parts like a machine. Society have to work together or it will breakdown. The 'machine' of society works when a value consensus exists. A general agreement along members of society about the important values that they hold in common.
- believes society needs order…
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