Society
works like a
human body
The body
has vital
organs
Society has
vital
institutions
The different
organs in the
body work
independently
of each other
Society is
basically
harmonious
Most people
share basic
beliefs =
agreement
(consensus)
These ‘shared values’
create ‘social order’
Our behaviour is
‘determined’ (shaped) by
the culture of society –
which we learn through
‘socialisation’
Behaviour is
regular/patterned and fairly
predictable.
The different parts of
society (institutions)
work together to
support the survival of
society
Each part of society
(institution) has a
specific purpose/
role/function to play in
supporting society
Schools perform the
role of teaching skills
and knowledge and
attitudes amongst
young people
They also prepare
young people for the
world of work
This is the
main
consensus
theory
The founder of Functionalism
is
– a U.S.
sociologist
Parsons argued that the crucial feature
of societies, as with biological
organisms, is homeostasis (maintaining
a stable state), and that their parts can
be understood only in terms of the
whole
Parson’s argued that society
should be viewed similarly to a
human body
Each part of the body is vital
Take away one part and other parts
will suffer…ultimately the body will die
Class, stratification, education etc…are
vital if society is to survive
Parsons’ argued that society has
certain basic needs
Parsons called these needs
Functional prerequisites include order and
stability
Order, stability and cooperation are essential
for the operation of society.
Class and
stratification are
central to order
and stability in
Society
Order, stability and
cooperation are based on a ‘value
consensus’– shared values
s
Those who perform well or
successfully in terms of society’s
values will reap the benefits
Parson’s argued that American
society valued individual
achievement, efficiency and
productive activity
Sometimes referred to as the
‘American Dream’.
There is a general belief in
society that stratification is
just, right and proper
Parsons argues that this is
an expression of shared
values
Functionalists argue that
the class someone is born
into should not affect their
life chances
If individuals make full use
of opportunities in
life…they can redress
them
Functionalists also justify
inequality – people are
rewarded for the different
tasks they carry out
Those who carry out
skilled or more ‘worthy’,
jobs should be rewarded
Inequality gives the lower
classes something to aim
for
If you want to study hard,
better yourself…there
must be some kind of
economic reward for
doing so
Value Consensus – everyone should
share the same values
Society is similar to biology – it is
organic in nature
Society requires stability, order and
co-operation
Social institutions are important
for socialisation
Inequality can be justified
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