Consensus structural theory: Functionalism

Why do functionalists believe that society is based on conformity?

-Functionalists believe that there is a value consensus in society which means that all members of society agree on values and norms. -They say that individuals receive these norms and values through two ways: 1)Socialisation: performed by the many agents, passed down from generation to generation 2) Social control: rewards for conformity and punishments for deviance keep us in line and remind us of what is acceptable.

Functionalism is a structural theory that aims to explain everything.

-It's a macro theory, it tries to create a theory to explain the operation of the whole of society. -It's useful in showing how all the main institutions are linked together. -It helps to explain activities and actions that superficially seem unusual or strange. Examples: -Durkheim's study of suicide (1897): Durkheim argued that social structure and problems in the modern world cause people to commit suicide. So what seems to be an individual act is actually a part of a wider social picture. -Warning Function: Albert Cohen. He argued that, like a body, if society is 'unwell' there will be certain symptoms. E.g. He argued that the deviance among working class boys was caused by the anomie they faced from the middle class dominated school system. They suffered cultural deprivation and lacked the skills to achieve. This leaves them at the bottom of the official status hierarchy. As a result of being unable to achieve status by legitimate means, they suffered status frustration and turned to crime.

The New Right as a type of consensus structuralism

-Like functionalist sociologists, New Right sociologists believe that traditional institutions and values in society are what maintain social order. -They see the family as one of the most important social institutions. The family socialises children into norms and values, and reinforces the traditional 'breadwinner' role and 'female housewife'. -The new right argue that society is breaking down and this has come from a decline in traditional moral standards. They blame changes in family structures, an over-generous welfare state, and too much sexual freedom for society's problems.

What is the Organic Analogy (Talcott Parsons 1951)?

-The organic analogy is used by Talcott Parsons (1951) to show how society acts like a living organism. -An organism has a series of organs that are interconnected and interdependent, and Parsons says that likewise society is a set of parts that are all interconnected, and all interdependent.

Criticisms of the functionalist consensual structural view of society

1) It fails to take into account the differences and conflicts between groups in society. E.g. Merton (1968) argues that some things that are functional for one group may cause problems for another e.g. poverty may benefit the rich and cause problems for the poor. 2) It's criticised by action theorists who argued that functionalism doesn't take into consideration the free will of individuals in making their own choices. They place too much importance on the role of society in determining people's behaviour. 3) Conflict theorists disagree that conflict in society is minimal as people merely accept that inequality is inevitable. On the contrary. they argue that functionalism is a conservatism approach that upholds inequality. They argue that problems suffered by the working class, women and ethnic minorities have not been adequately explained. 4) Postmodernists argue that today's society is too diverse for functionalism to be relevant. They say that the idea of a value consensus cannot account for the variety of lifestyles and values in postmodern society.

What are the four major subsystems which functionalists say meet society's needs?

The four major subsystems are broken down into instrumental needs and expressive needs. 1) Instrumental needs: these are material needs, the need to be fed, the need to have a home. These needs are supported by: the political subsystem (e.g. political parties and trade unions) the economic subsystem: industries 2) Expressive needs are emotional e.g. the need to belong. These needs are looked after by: the kinship subsystem (marriage and families) the cultural subsystem (schools and churches).

Why do feminists criticise the New Right

They criticise the New Right theorists for wanting women to focus on marriage and children and not work outside the home. Feminists see this as harmful to women's rights. They argue that New Right thinking is an attempt to justify a patriarchal society

What do structural theorists see society as?

They see society as a whole system made up of different parts that mesh together. Functionalism is a consensus structural theory. Durkheim 'social solidarity'