![]() This post provides an introduction to some of the key ideas of Emile Durkheim and Talcott Parsons, two key functionalist thinkers and some overall evaluations of the Functionalist Perspective. In a successful or ‘healthy’ society, for example, social life is organised so that the family socialises the young and meets emotional needs, school teaches us broader life skills, and the workplace is where we contribute to the economy.įunctionalists generally believe institutions perform positive functions (they do good things for the individual and society), and social institutions work together to provide social order and prevent too much crime and deviance. This value consensus enables people to co-operate and to work together to achieve shared goals.įunctionalists also believe that a successful society has a stable social structure, in which different institutions perform unique functions that contribute to the maintenance of the whole – in the same way that the different organs of the body perform different functions to keep a human being healthy. The ‘ consensus bit’ means that Functionalists believe that a successful society is based on ‘value consensus’ – people agree around a set of shared norms and values. The ‘ structural bit’ means that Functionalists argue there is a social structure that shapes individual behaviour through the process of socialisation. Functionalism is a ‘structural-consensus theory’ This post has primarily been written as an introduction to Functionalism for AS and A level sociology students. Evaluations of Functionalism including criticisms and ways in which it may be relevant in contemporary society.A summary of the key ideas of Taloctt Parsons: the organic analogy, the importance of socialisation, value consensus and functional prerequisites.A summary of the key ideas of Emile Durkheim: social facts, social solidarity, and anomie.Definitions of the key Functionalist concept: structural and consensus. ![]() Institutions such as the family and education socialise individuals and create value consensus. Functionalists believe there is a social structure made up of institutions which shape individual behaviour. Ways in which Functionalism may still be useful for understanding contemporary societyįunctionalism is a structural consensus theory.The Organic Analogy – we should see society as a system.Social solidarity, socialisation and anomie.Functionalism is a ‘structural-consensus theory’.
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