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