Topic Exploration Pack
Functionalism
Instructions and answers for teachers ........................................................................................2
Introduction ...................................................................................................................................3
Different perspectives on the social world..................................................................................5
Section 1: What are social theories? ...........................................................................................5
Task 1: Changes in society (with answers) ............................................................................6
Section 2: What kind of theory is functionalism? .......................................................................7
Task 2: Functionalist concepts (with answers) .......................................................................7
Task 3: Evaluating functionalism .......................................................................................... 10
Section 3: Key functionalist thinkers ........................................................................................ 11
Durkheim (including Task 4 with answers) ........................................................................... 11
Parsons (including Tasks 5, 6 and 7 with answers) .............................................................. 13
Section 4: Applying functionalism to component 1 ................................................................. 16
Task 8: Functionalists and gender roles (with answers) ....................................................... 17
Task 9: Applying functionalist ideas (with answers).............................................................. 19
Section 5: Consolidation activity .............................................................................................. 20
Task 10: Key concepts: word matching activity and fill the gap activities (with answers) ..... 20
Student activities .......................................................................................................................22
Different perspectives on the social world ............................................................................... 22
Section 1: What are social theories? ........................................................................................ 22
Task 1: Changes in society worksheet ................................................................................ 22
Section 2: What kind of theory is functionalism? .................................................................... 24
Task 2: Functionalist concepts worksheet ........................................................................... 25
Version 1
1
Copyright © OCR 2016
Task 3: Evaluating functionalism ......................................................................................... 27
Section 3: Key functionalist thinkers ........................................................................................ 28
Task 4: Durkheim ................................................................................................................ 28
Task 5, 6, 7: Parsons .......................................................................................................... 31
Section 4: Applying functionalism to component 1 ................................................................ 35
Task 8: Functionalism and gender roles .............................................................................. 36
Task 9: Applying functionalist ideas .................................................................................... 37
Section 5: Consolidation activity .............................................................................................. 39
Task 10: Key concepts: word matching activity and fill the gap activities ............................. 39
Instructions and answers for teachers
These instructions cover the student activity section which can be found on page 22. This Topic
Exploration Pack supports OCR AS and A Level Sociology.
When distributing the activity section to the students either as a printed copy or as a Word
file you will need to remove the teacher instructions section.
ABC – This activity offers an opportunity
for English skills development.
Version 1
2
Copyright © OCR 2016
Introduction
This pack introduces students to social theory and allows them to apply their knowledge in
different ways to various component 1 topics. It aims to provide a basic understanding of
functionalism and also begin to develop these skills in an engaging and interesting way. It should
be possible for students to begin to apply their theoretical knowledge to any issue or topic.
Initially this pack locates functionalist ideas both historically – as some of the founding ideas of
sociology - and also in terms of the type of theoretical perspective that it is. Essentially, students
should be aware that functionalism emerged in the context of huge social changes in society and
sought to understand and explain these as part of the 18th century enlightenment movement within
which it coincided. The emergence of functionalism is also very much linked with the development
of sociology as a distinct and important social science.
In many respects this document works alongside the Marxism Exploration Pack in that it helps
students to identify the way in which the theories relate to each other. It identifies that, as structural
theories, functionalism and Marxism share the view that society is powerful in shaping the
individual. It is important that students begin to appreciate (albeit in a simple way) how the theories
emerged and why.
Given that our specification has a stronger focus on globalisation than previous specifications, it is
also worth considering the fact that functionalist theories very much reflect the ideas of the various
European and Northern American thinkers, who were predominantly male, white and middle aged.
This is especially relevant when thinking about the value of applying functionalist ideas to today’s
world, which is, by contrast, rich in cultural diversity as well as the fact that we are now entering an
era characterised by post-industrial, postmodern ideas. At the same time, whilst we want to
encourage students to be critical, it is also important that they appreciate the contribution which
functionalism has made - and continues to make - to sociological thought.
Students might like to consider their own responses to the theoretical ideas that they learn about.
Students should be aware of the political spectrum along which lie the social theories they are
expected to engage with. It is worth students learning about the New Right as an extension of
functionalism, showing them various policies or issues which reflect the views that functionalists
and the New Right share.
Once the students have understood what kind of social theory functionalism is, and the context
from which it emerged, this pack moves on to explore how the theory can be applied to various
parts of component 1. Finally they will be asked to explore various higher-level skills through some
application activities.
Version 1
3
Copyright © OCR 2016
Aims and objectives:

To understand what perspectives and social theories are

To understand the historical context from which functionalism emerged and its role in
defining and developing sociology

To apply functionalist ideas to various topics within component 1: socialisation, culture and
identity.
Formative assessment:
A range of tasks throughout the topic exploration pack to check learning and understanding.
Summative assessment
Examine the usefulness of functionalism in understanding the concept of socialisation within
contemporary society.
Version 1
4
Copyright © OCR 2016
Different perspectives on the social world
Section 1: What are social theories?
A theory is a set of ideas about society, which seek to explain and social changes.
Here are some of the major changes in society which sociologists have tried to understand and
explain:
Version 1
5
Copyright © OCR 2016
Task 1: Changes in society (with answers)
In small group discuss the changes that you see in the images above.
People working
based on a family
agricultural
system.
Children being
taught skills and
possibly
writing/educated
at home.
agricultural
system.
Children
working.
Women working
and caring for the
young.
agricultural
What are the system.
possible effects of these changes?
People living
in cities and
towns.
agricultural
system.
Older
people
working
without
retirement.
agricultura
l system.
Care of the
sick at home.
agricultural
system.
Specialised institutions
taking over what were
roles of the family, for
example the NHS and
care of the elderly, or
education.
Changing
roles in the
family.
Work and the
home become
separate.
agricultural
system.
Greater
affluence.
Women experiencing
greater burden/power
and autonomy.
Many of the changes that you see above related to the changes that early functionalists were
interested in:
Urbanisation
The movement of people living in the
countryside (rural areas) to living in towns and
cities (urban areas)
Industrialisation
The change in economy from agriculture to an
economy based on industry
The emergence of the state and the role it
plays in social life
The expansion of the welfare state following
the Beveridge Report post WW2 as well as
the expansion of other areas of the state,
education, the law etc.
Version 1
6
Copyright © OCR 2016
Section 2: What kind of theory is functionalism?
There are different types of theoretical perspective; structural theories argue that society shapes
the individual whereas social action theories suggest that the individual has a greater role in
shaping society through their thoughts and actions.
Functionalism is a structural theory, which argues that society plays a powerful role in shaping the
individual. Below are the concepts which are central to this theoretical perspective.
Task 2: Functionalist concepts (with answers)
Version 1
7
Copyright © OCR 2016
In small groups discuss each of the concepts and give an example of each concept, this might
relate to your own experience.
Look at the images below. Link each image to a functionalist concept, explaining the link.
Anomie – not being fully integrated into society
Norms
Collective conscience
Primary socialisation
Version 1
8
Copyright © OCR 2016
Value consensus
Collective conscience as it is recognition of
contribution to society
Consensus versus conflict theories
As well as being a structural theory, functionalists regard society as essentially having positive
effects on the individual and the wider social group, which is referred to as a consensus view.
Functionalists argue that in general there is agreement or consensus amongst people in society
about what is considered right and wrong, as well as having a shared view about the importance of
the wider social group. This makes functionalists different to other theorists who argue that society
is made up of different groups with opposing interests and views.
Version 1
9
Copyright © OCR 2016
Task 3: Evaluating functionalism
When many functionalists wrote, the world was a very different place. It was made up largely of
people of similar ethnic backgrounds. Today society is very different, there are many more people
from a wide range of different cultural backgrounds living together in UK society. Therefore it can
be more difficult to agree on common values. Consider differing views on what is considered ‘right’
and ‘wrong’ among different religious groups. In fact in many cases, these different views can lead
to social conflict. This has caused some to question if functionalist ideas are relevant today.
Using the examples below explain how each challenges the functionalist view that there is value
consensus within UK society.
The historical conflict between Protestants
and Catholics in Northern Ireland suggests
that religion may not in fact be an institution
which contributes to shared (religious)
values. Rather, religion in this context
actually created conflict. This challenges
Durkheim's view that society is made up of
singular institutions which are based on
consensus. In fact religious diversity has
brought various groups into conflict with
each other.
A lack of social harmony, in this case
frustration and economic problems.
These demonstrations are a public rejection
of the government's decision to cut state
spending on benefits and other public
services which has been met with a lot of
criticism by different groups and individuals.
This suggests that Durkheim's idea that the
institution of government which in his view
should reflect the views of the people it
serves thus creating social harmony, is not,
in fact always the case.
Version 1
10
Copyright © OCR 2016
Section 3: Key functionalist thinkers
Emile Durkheim (1858-1917)
One of the earliest sociologists was the French academic Durkheim who was responsible for
developing the discipline in terms of setting it apart from other disciplines and showing how it is
possible for the study of society to be rigorous, scientific and relevant.
Durkheim started from the view that people are basically selfish and that they need to be
encouraged to think about the wider social group or else there is a danger that they will simply
think of themselves and society would break down. Durkheim called this shared set of ideas about
the importance of the wider social group the collective conscience.
Durkheim, like Parsons and other social theorists, explored the change in society from small scale,
tight knit communities to complex industrialised societies. Durkheim believed that social forces are
very important in shaping the individual and that if people are not integrated into society fully,
anomie and disorder will occur. Durkheim believed that it is possible to ascertain social facts
about society which could be used to understand and overcome social problems.
Task 4: Durkheim
1.
What assumptions does Durkheim make about people in general?
That they are selfish and will automatically put their interests first unless they are
encouraged not to.
2.
What is the collective conscience?
Shared ideas about the importance of the wider social group.
3.
Give some examples of ‘social disorder’
The riots in London in 2011, high rates of antisocial behaviour.
Version 1
11
Copyright © OCR 2016
Talcott Parsons (1902 – 1979)
The American sociologist Parsons (1970) developed the ideas of Durkheim and argues that it was
useful to draw an analogy (or similarities) between society and the human body. This is known as
the organic analogy. Parsons argues that the organs within the body are like institutions in
society such as the family, education, the law and religion. Parsons argues that if one part of the
body fails, then the rest will fail too. This is because the organs are interdependent – they rely on
each other.
Version 1
12
Copyright © OCR 2016
Task 5: Parsons
1.
Look at the diagram above, and explain in your own words what is meant by the organic
analogy.
This is where the body is compared with society, and the idea that all the organs
work together in order for society to work. If one organ or institution breaks down
then the rest will also break down.
2.
Can you think of an example of how problems within the family, such as the increase in
divorce rate over recent years might lead to problems in other parts of society?
Potentially it means that people are poorer if they are raising children alone,
affecting the economy.
3.
Think of one other way in which institutions are related to each other, for example, the
education system and the economy (the world of work).
The education system provides the appropriately skilled people for the demands of
the time. For example, currently IT skills are required in the workforce and so
education responds by teaching children IT skills.
Parsons argued that the central question in sociology is how do people cooperate in society and
how is social order possible? And the answer he developed is that people share a set of cultural
values which allows people to decide what is important and what is not. This set of ideas about
what is considered to be important is known as value consensus.
The process by which people learn to be part of society and the value consensus is through their
integration into society. Parsons argues that people become integrated through two key
processes:
A summary of Parson’s processes through which people become integrated into society.
Version 1
13
Copyright © OCR 2016
How does society change?
Parsons argues that society can and does change and this is achieved by a process known as
structural differentiation. Parson’s view was that essentially society is becoming more and more
complex. Whereas in the past the family carried out a number of important functions (such as
learning to write, healthcare and work), nowadays other institutions have replaced these functions
and have become specialised institutions themselves. Think of the expansion of the welfare state
and the NHS which is where we now turn for healthcare for example, rather than the family.
Structural differentiation: the process through which social change occurs, involving the loss of
functions of institutions and the increasingly specialised functions of a wider range of institutions.
4.
How do the images above reflect Parson’s theory of structural differentiation?
The idea that older people are being increasingly cared for outside the home by specialist
services for the elderly, meaning increasingly specialised institutions taking over functions
in the family.
5.
How do these images support the idea that social change is possible and desirable?
The idea that the people are better cared for as the service is more specialised.
Version 1
14
Copyright © OCR 2016
Evaluation of Parsons
Although Parsons had some very well-known and respected ideas he has been criticised. Parsons
argues that social harmony is both possible and desirable, and in reality, it could be argued that
there is not harmony but in fact, different groups experience conflict in values. Parsons is therefore
criticised for being overly optimistic. Another criticism is that Parsons makes the assumption that
people are similar and want society to work together in society. This may or may not have been
true for large parts of the society that he wrote in (America in the 1950’s) however today society is
even more culturally diverse and this makes some argue that Parson’s ideas are not useful to
understanding contemporary society. Parsons was white, middle class and middle aged, living a
life of affluence and this too may have made him see society more positively than it might actually
be.
Task 6: Evaluating Parson’s ideas
Parsons explored the social changes which occurred as a result of
industrialization. Parsons saw the changes as positive, with the loss of functions
in the family and the increasing specialisation of other institutions. Parsons
argued that society is evolving and improving all the time.
There are problems with Parsons’ views, for example, he is too optimistic as
social problems exist and his ideas reflect that he was white and middle class.
Version 1
15
Copyright © OCR 2016
Section 4: Applying functionalism to component 1
Socialisation
The process of socialisation, for functionalists is a positive experience for both the individual and
society.
Functionalists and gender
Functionalists suggest that men and women have different roles based on the biological
differences; gender therefore is simply an extension of biological roles. Women, being
childbearing, are therefore more likely to take a caring role with the children whilst men, who
contribute little to the reproduction of children, are ‘naturally’ more suited to taking a breadwinning
role.
Instrumental role
(The idea that men take the
breadwinning role, they are
financially responsible for
the family.)
Version 1
Expressive role
(The idea that the woman is the
caregiver and stays at home with
the children rather than going to
work in the public sphere.)
16
Copyright © OCR 2016
Task 7: Functionalism and gender roles
1.
Are the roles of women and men dependent upon biological functions?
No – in fact there is much interchangeability between roles
2. Name some problems with the functionalist view of gender roles, giving examples.
They assume that women want to take caring roles and overlook the fact that many women
now work and choose not to have children.
Task 8: Applying functionalist ideas
For each of the formal agencies of social control, suggest how each institution maintains social
harmony.
Version 1
17
Copyright © OCR 2016
Agency
Government:
How they maintain social harmony
Ensuring that rules reflect changes within
society and that laws ensure social
harmony is maintained.
Police:
Ensuring that the peace is maintained.
Military:
Ensuring national security.
Law/Courts and legal system:
Version 1
Making sure that rule breaking is dealt with
and people can see that anything which
threatens social harmony is dealt with
swiftly.
18
Copyright © OCR 2016
Task 9: Applying functionalist ideas
Consider how different agencies of socialisation work according to functionalists.
Agency of socialisation
Explanation of how this
agency maintains social
harmony
The family
Using positive sanctions such
as providing love and support,
individuals are encouraged to
accept challenging situations
and become prepared to
tolerate other people beyond the
family.
Peer group
Friends act as a form of social
control, both positively and
negatively. Very influential
among young people.
Excluding those who do
not conform to socially
accepted ideas about right
or wrong behaviour
Media
The media is playing an
increasingly important role in
socialising both the young and
the old.
TV shows present ideas
about gender,
relationships, norms etc.
Religion
Religion has guidelines about
behaviour and norms, for
example the 10 commandments
in the Bible.
Sanctions such as going to
heaven for good behaviour
Education
Education shapes people’s
norms and values through
positive and negative sanctions.
Detentions, awards,
grades
Workplace
Reinforcing particular values
such as hard work and
effectiveness which reinforce
value consensus which leads to
a strong economy.
Pay rises and bonuses for
hard work
Version 1
19
Examples
Rewarding good behaviour
with praise or punishing
bad behaviour such as
telling children off.
Copyright © OCR 2016
Section 5: Consolidation activity
Task 10: Key concepts
Match the correct concept to its definition
Concept
Definition
Structural differentiation
The process through which social change occurs, involving
the loss of functions of institutions and the increasingly
specialised functions of a wider range of institutions.
Socialisation
The process through which the individual internalises norms
and values.
Instrumental role
The male, breadwinning role.
Secondary socialisation
The process through which people internalise norms and
values throughout their lives.
Negative sanction
A punishment for not conforming to the values of society.
Expressive role
The female role which consists of being a caregiver.
Anomie
A lack of norms in society – literally normlessness.
Value consensus
Shared ideas about what is right and wrong.
Primary socialisation
The process through which people internalise norms and
values in the early years of life.
Social solidarity
A sense of being part of the wider group, society.
Positive sanction
A reward for conforming to the values of society.
Institution
A part of society which regulates one part of social life.
Dysfunction
Where parts of society do not work together and there is
conflict or anomie as a result.
Organic analogy
Parsons’ idea that society works in similar ways to the
human body, with institutions being interdependent.
Collective conscience
The idea that the wider social group enforces some pressure
over people to behave in particular ways.
Version 1
20
Copyright © OCR 2016
Fill the gaps: answers
Functionalism is a structural theory which means that it believes that society plays an important
role in shaping the individual. Structural theories assume that the individual passively accepts
societal pressures. Functionalism is a consensus theory which means that it sees society as being
basically positive and that social harmony is possible and desirable.
Early functionalists such as Durkheim were keen to show how sociology could be a separate
academic discipline, and claimed that society could be understood in much the same way as
natural sciences understand the world around us. Durkheim argued that social facts could be
established about society, meaning that certain ‘truths’ about social forces could be understood,
also meaning that the solutions to social problems could be found.
Functionalists take a scientific numerical approach to research, known as positivism. This means
that they believe that it is possible for sociologists to be objective, not allowing their own feelings to
affect the research. Functionalists favour numerical or quantitative data and argue that from this it
is possible to establish cause and effect relationships.
Functionalists take a traditional approach to some aspects of social life. For example, they regard
gender roles as being based on biological differences between men and women. They claim that
women’s roles as caregivers (the expressive role) are an extension of their biological childbearing
role. The male role, on the other hand is based on providing for the family (the instrumental role).
Functionalists have been criticized for being overly optimistic about the extent of social harmony.
Feminists have criticised functionalists for their assumptions about gender roles being traditional,
arguing that there is no reason why these roles cannot be interchangeable and that traditional
gender roles oppress women. Another potential problem with functionalism is that many of the
functionalist ideas were developed some time ago when society was different, leading some to
question if functionalist ideas are relevant. For example, increasing migration has resulted in far
more cultural diversity making the idea of a value consensus more complex and at times
challenging.
We’d like to know your view on the resources we produce. By clicking on ‘Like’ or ‘Dislike’ you can help us to ensure that our resources
work for you. When the email template pops up please add additional comments if you wish and then just click ‘Send’. Thank you.
If you do not currently offer this OCR qualification but would like to do so, please complete the Expression of Interest Form which can
be found here: www.ocr.org.uk/expression-of-interest
OCR Resources: the small print
OCR’s resources are provided to support the teaching of OCR specifications, but in no way constitute an endorsed teaching method that is required by the Board, and the decision
to use them lies with the individual teacher. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the content, OCR cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions within
these resources.
© OCR 2015 - This resource may be freely copied and distributed, as long as the OCR logo and this message remain intact and OCR is acknowledged as the originator of this
work: Page 4: Countryside: Shahid Khan/Shutterstock.com, Historical farm painting: Morgenstern_Bauernhof_anagoria/Commons/wikimedia.org, Woman doing housework:
Everett Collection/Shutterstoc.com; City: Tutti Frutti/Shutterstock.com; Elderly lady in care home: Alexander Raths/Shutterstock.com; Businees woman:
wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock.com; Page 7: Woman for spidergram:kurhan/ Shutterstock.com; Page 8: Homeless person: Wrangler/Shutterstock.com; Shaking hands: Antonov
Roman/ Shutterstock.com; Soldiers in cemetery: John Keith/ Shutterstock.com; Teaching child manners: Viacheslav Nikolaenko/ Shutterstock.com; Someone being arrested:
Pryzmat/ Shutterstock.com; Being awarded: Volt Collection/ Shutterstock.com; Bloody Sunday: kitestramuort/commons.wikimedia.org; London riots: Andy
Armstrong/commons.wikimedia.org; Anti-Austerity march: DarkestElephant/commons.wikimedia.org; E.Durkheim: Commons.wikimedia.org; Page 12: T.Parsons, Commons
Wikimedia.org; human body: BluezAce/Shutterstock.com.
OCR acknowledges the use of the following content: n/a
Please get in touch if you want to discuss the accessibility of resources we offer to support delivery of our qualifications: resources.feedback@ocr.org.uk
Version 1
21
Copyright © OCR 2016
Topic Exploration Pack
Themes and Perspectives: A focus on functionalism
Student Activity
Different perspectives on the social world
Introduction
Sociology, the study of society, has many different parts. Sociologists understand and explain the
social world from a particular view of the world. Sociologists are undoubtedly affected by their own
life experiences, and these often inform their view. The perspective that a sociologist develops is
then built into a social theory. Social theories attempt to explain change.
Section 1: Explaining social change
A theory is a set of ideas about society, which seek to explain social changes.
Task 1: Changes in society
Here are some major changes in society which sociologists have tried to understand and explain:
Version 1
22
Copyright © OCR 2016
In small group discuss the changes what you see in the images above.
What are the possible effects of these changes? Write your answer below:
Many of the changes that you can see in the images above related to the changes that early
functionalists were interested in:
Urbanisation
The movement of people living in the
countryside (rural areas) to living in towns
and cities (urban areas)
Industrialisation
The change in economy from agriculture to
an economy based on industry
The emergence of the state and the role it
plays in social life
The expansion of the welfare state
following the Beveridge Report post WW2
as well as the expansion of other areas of
the state, education, the law etc.
Version 1
23
Copyright © OCR 2016
Section 2: What kind of theory is functionalism?
There are different types of theoretical perspective; structural theories argue that society shapes
the individual whereas social action theories suggest that the individual has a greater role in
shaping society through their thoughts and actions.
Functionalism is a structural theory, which argues that society plays a powerful role in shaping
the individual. Below are the concepts which are central to this theoretical perspective.
Version 1
24
Copyright © OCR 2016
Task 2: Functionalist concepts
(1) In small groups discuss each of the concepts above (socialisation, norms, values, social
solidarity, collective conscience, anomie) and give an example of each concept, this might
relate to your own experience.
(2) Look at the images below. Link each image to a functionalist concept, explaining the link.
Version 1
25
Copyright © OCR 2016
Consensus versus conflict theories
As well as being a structural theory, functionalists regard society as essentially having positive
effects on the individual and the wider social group, which is referred to as a consensus view.
Functionalists argue that in general there is agreement or consensus amongst people in society
about what is considered right and wrong, as well as having a shared view about the importance of
the wider social group. This makes functionalists different to other theorists who argue that society
is made up of different groups with opposing interests and views.
Evaluation
When many functionalists wrote, the world was a very different place. It was made up largely of
people of similar ethnic backgrounds. Today society is very different, there are many more people
from a wide range of different cultural backgrounds living together in UK society. Therefore it can
be more difficult to agree on common values. Consider differing views on what is considered ‘right’
and ‘wrong’ among different religious groups. In fact in many cases, these different views can lead
to social conflict. This has caused some to question if functionalist ideas are relevant today.
Version 1
26
Copyright © OCR 2016
Task 3: Evaluating functionalism
Using the examples below explain how each challenges the functionalist view that there is value
consensus within UK society.
Version 1
27
Copyright © OCR 2016
Section 3: Key functionalist thinkers
Emile Durheim (1858-1917)
One of the earliest sociologists was the French academic Durkheim, who was responsible for
developing the discipline, in terms of setting it apart from other disciplines and showing how it is
possible for the study of society to be rigorous, scientific and relevant.
Durkheim starts from the view that people are basically selfish and that they need to be
encouraged to think about the wider social group or else there is a danger that they will simply
think of themselves and society would break down. Durkheim called this shared set of ideas about
the importance of the wider social group the collective conscience.
Durkheim, like Parsons and other social theorists, explored the change in society from small scale,
tight knit communities to complex industrialised societies. Durkheim believed that social forces are
very important in shaping the individual and that if people are not integrated into society fully,
anomie and disorder will occur. Durkheim believed that it is possible to ascertain social facts
about society which could be used to understand and overcome social problems.
Task 4: Durkheim
1.
Version 1
What assumptions does Durkheim make about people in general?
28
Copyright © OCR 2016
2.
What is the collective conscience?
3.
Give some examples of ‘social disorder’
Version 1
29
Copyright © OCR 2016
Talcott Parsons (1902 – 1979)
The American sociologist Parsons (1970) developed the ideas of Durkheim and argues that it was
useful to draw an analogy (or similarities) between society and the human body. This is known as
the organic analogy. Parsons argues that the organs within the body are like institutions in
society such as the family, education, the law and religion. Parsons argues that if one part of the
body fails, then the rest will fail too. This is because the organs are interdependent – they rely on
each other.
Version 1
30
Copyright © OCR 2016
Task 5: Parsons
1.
Look at the diagram above, and explain in your own words what is meant by the organic
analogy.
2.
Can you think of an example of how problems within the family, such as the increase in
divorce rate over recent years, might lead to problems in other parts of society?
3.
Think of one other way in which institutions are related to each other, for example,
education and the economy (the world of work).
Version 1
31
Copyright © OCR 2016
Parsons argued that the central question in sociology is how do people cooperate in society and
how is social order possible? And the answer he developed is that people share a set of cultural
values which allows people to decide what is important and what is not. This set of ideas about
what is considered to be important is known as value consensus.
The process by which people learn to be part of society and the value consensus is through their
integration into society. Parsons argues that people become integrated through two key
processes:
A summary of Parson’s processes through which people become integrated into society.
Version 1
32
Copyright © OCR 2016
Task 6: How does society change?
Parsons argues that society can and does change and this is achieved by a process known as
structural differentiation. Parson’s view was that essentially society is becoming more and more
complex. Whereas in the past the family carried out a number of important functions (such as
learning to write, healthcare and work), nowadays other institutions have replaced these functions
and have become specialised institutions themselves. Think of the expansion of the welfare state
and the NHS which is where we now turn for healthcare for example, rather than the family.
Structural differentiation: the process through which social change occurs, involving the loss of
functions of institutions and the increasingly specialised functions of a wider range of institutions.
(1) How do the images above reflect Parson’s theory of structural differentiation?
(2) How do these images support the idea that social change is possible and desirable?
Version 1
33
Copyright © OCR 2016
Evaluation of Parsons
Although Parsons had some very well-known and respected ideas he has been criticised. Parsons
argues that social harmony is both possible and desirable, and in reality, it could be argued that
there is not harmony but in fact, different groups experience conflict in values. Parsons is therefore
criticized for being overly optimistic. Another criticism is that Parsons makes the assumption that
people are similar and want society to work together in society. This may or may not have been
true for large parts of the society that he wrote in (America in the 1950’s) however today society is
even more culturally diverse and this makes some argue that Parson’s ideas are not useful to
understanding contemporary society. Parsons was white, middle class and middle aged, living a
life of affluence and this too may have made him see society more positively than it might actually
be.
Task 7: Evaluating Parsons’ ideas
In your own words summarise the evaluation of Parsons’ ideas:
Version 1
34
Copyright © OCR 2016
Section 4: Applying functionalism to component 1
Socialisation
The process of socialisation, for functionalists is a positive experience for both the individual and
society.
Functionalists and Gender
Functionalists suggest that men and women have different roles based on the biological
differences; gender therefore is simply an extension of biological roles. Women being childbearing
are therefore more likely to take a caring role with the children while men, who contribute little to
the reproduction of children, are ‘naturally’ more suited to taking a breadwinning role.
Expressive role
(The idea that the woman is the caregiver
and stays at home with the children rather
than going to work in the public sphere.)
Instrumental role
(The idea that men take the breadwinning
role, they are financially responsible for the
family.)
Version 1
35
Copyright © OCR 2016
Task 8: Functionalism and gender roles
1.
Are the roles of women and men dependent upon biological functions?
2.
Name some problems with the functionalist view of gender roles, giving examples:
Version 1
36
Copyright © OCR 2016
Task 9: Applying functionalist ideas to understanding the concept of socialisation
0For each of the formal agencies of social control, suggest how each institution maintains social
harmony.
Agency
How they maintain social harmony
Government:
Police:
Military:
Law/Courts and legal system:
Version 1
37
Copyright © OCR 2016
Consider how different agencies of socialisation work according to functionalists.
The first two have been done for you. Complete the other sections:
Agency of socialisation
Explanation of how this agency
maintains social harmony
Examples
The family
Using positive sanctions such as
providing love and support,
individuals are encouraged to
accept challenging situations and
become prepared to tolerate other
people beyond the family.
Rewarding good behaviour
with praise or punishing
bad behaviour such as
telling children off.
Peer group
Friends act as a form of social
control, both positively and
negatively. Very influential among
young people.
Excluding those who do
not conform to socially
accepted ideas about right
or wrong behaviour.
Media
Religion
Education
Workplace
Version 1
38
Copyright © OCR 2016
Section 5: Consolidating learning
Task 10: Key concepts
Match the correct concept to its definition.
Concept
Definition
The process through which social change occurs, involving
the loss of functions of institutions and the increasingly
specialised functions of a wider range of institutions.
The process through which the individual internalises norms
and values.
The male, breadwinning role.
The process through which people internalise norms and
values throughout their lives.
A punishment for not conforming to the values of society.
The female role which consists of being a caregiver.
A lack of norms in society – literally normlessness.
Shared ideas about what is right and wrong.
The process through which people internalise norms and
values in the early years of life.
A sense of being part of the wider group, society.
A reward for conforming to the values of society.
A part of society which regulates one part of social life.
Where parts of society do not work together and there is
conflict or anomie as a result.
Parsons’ idea that society works in similar ways to the
human body, with institutions being interdependent.
The idea that the wider social group enforces some pressure
over people to behave in particular ways.
Version 1
39
Copyright © OCR 2016
Value
consensus
Organic
analogy
Primary
socialisation
Anomie
Secondary
socialisation
Collective
conscience
Negative
sanction
Social control
Dysfunction
Expressive
role
Structural
differentiation
Positive
sanction
Social conflict
Instrumental
role
Institution
Fill in the gaps
Functionalism is a
, which means that it believes that society plays an important
role in shaping the individual. Structural theories assume that the individual passively accepts
societal pressures. Functionalism is a consensus theory which means that it sees society as being
basically
and that
is possible and desirable.
Early functionalists such as Durkheim were keen to show how sociology could be a separate
academic discipline, and claimed that society could be understood in much the same way as
understand the world around us. Durkheim argued that social facts could be
established about society, meaning that certain ‘truths’ about social forces could be understood,
also meaning that the solutions to social problems could be found.
Functionalists take a scientific numerical approach to research, known as
. This means
that they believe that it is possible for sociologists to be objective, not allowing their own feelings to
affect the research. Functionalists favour numerical or quantitative data and argue that from this it
is possible to establish cause and effect relationships.
Version 1
40
Copyright © OCR 2016
Functionalists take a traditional approach to some aspects of social life. For example, they regard
gender roles as being based on biological differences between men and women. They claim that
women’s roles as caregivers (the
role) is an extension of their biological
role. The male role, on the other hand is based on providing for the family (the
role).
Functionalists have been criticised for being overly optimistic about the extent of social harmony.
have criticised functionalists for their assumptions about gender roles being traditional,
arguing that there is no reason why these roles cannot be interchangeable and that traditional
oppress women. Another potential problem with functionalism is that many of the functionalist
ideas were developed some time ago when society was different, leading some to question if
functionalist ideas are relevant. For example, increasing
. has resulted in far more cultural
diversity making the idea of a
more complex and at times challenging.
instrumental
migration
structural
theory
feminists
childbearing
gender roles
value
consensus
expressive
natural
sciences
Version 1
positive
social
harmony
positivism
41
Copyright © OCR 2016