Functionalism Lesson 08/09/2015

Last week We introduced sociologyExplained the concept of culture- Values, Norms, roles etcLooked briefly at some researchThis week introducing Unit 1

Unit 1Perspectives in Sociology 1.1- compare and contrast three perspectives in Sociology Relate to education

The Perspectives Functionalism MarxismInteractionism

What we are doing today first half - Looking at Functionalism second half- finishing off/ 20/30 minutes research and writing

notes

Structural theories( C/1.1)

Functionalism Marxism

Both are structural theories – therefore can be compared in the assignment!!!!

Abit about structural theories Society as a whole system made up of smaller parts Consensus or conflict basedThere is no individual- Just roles These roles are taught through socialisation – primary and secondary For example- Surgeon is expected to complete all the jobs associated

with that roleBut any surgeon would have to- therefore the individual could be anyone!Social mechanisms such as expectations keep people operating within

their role. -Answering the phone at a call centre- you answer politely , because you

are expected to, as this is part of your role.

Getting you thinking-Functionalism Task 1- answer yes or not to the following questionsis it agreed that owning your own home is a sign of success?Doing well in school will help you to become successful?People on benefits are those people who didn’t try hard

enough in school?If you work hard then you will be supported and you will

succeed?

Conclusion of taskFunctionalism will have us believe that we agree to the order

of society. That the rich are rich because they work hard. We aspire to be like them.

Inequalities are fair- as they promote people to work hard. People can change their situation be stopping being lazy and work hard for their money…

This is because we live in an achieved society : meaning anything can be achieved through your own merits – hence Meritocracy…

Therefore society works in ConsensusMeans the implied agreement amongst society and everyone living

in it about how we should be and behaveWe all honour the same values (value consensus) For example, jobs with more training are paid more- we agree to

this.. Don’t we?Also means we can predict how others will act

This consensus is reinforced through the process of socialisation – parents, schools, religion etc

Socialisation – the process by which we are integrated into the values, norms, and roles of a culture

Recap: functionalism All parts of society are functional and integrated Society can only be studied has a whole and not in isolation compared to the human body Therefore society more important than the individual Functionalists believe that society is held together by social

consensus, in which members of the society agree upon, and work together to achieve, what is best for society as a whole. This leads to order

Without this, it leads to uncertainty about others behaviour= chaos and anarchy

Example and task For example, the government, or state, provides education

for the children of the family, which in turn pays taxes on which the state depends to keep itself running. The family is dependent upon the school to help children grow up to have good jobs so that they can raise and support their own families. In the process, the children become law-abiding, taxpaying citizens, who in turn support the state. If all goes well, the parts of society produce order, stability, and productivity. If all does not go well, the parts of society then must adapt to recapture a new order, stability, and productivity.

Durkheim Therefore Society is

harmonious – social solidarity sense of community

Rules of Sociological method (1964)

Crime has a contribution Without crime = no

innovation to change or introduce new laws = thus new consensus of behaviour

Reinforces commitment to values – “ that’s really bad what he did, its evil I wouldn’t do that… .

Talcott Parsons (1902- 79) Socialisation is key to

understanding behaviour patternsRoles of – family, education, media,

ensures the passing on and reproduction of socially acceptable patterns of behaviour.

People taught core values and then internalise them –they then become ‘ taken for granted’. This leads to social order

Social order- shared and stable patterns of behaviour – everything ordered!

Values and norms take on a sacred quality- moral codes- religion and the law- Marriage

Encourages Social Solidarity – Sense of communitySocial Integration- Sense of belonging Which in turn encourages conformity

Thus, behaviour controlled by rules of society- probably feel inhibited if we deviate!

Functionalism and education How do you think functionalist would view education?

Durkheim - Social Solidarity Socialising new people into society thus promoting solidarity What ways is solidarity promoted in school?

Parsons- promotes meritocracy people learn the value (consensus) of meritocracy though

school- being they can achieve and become anything if they work hard enough

How do schools do this?

Davies and Moore (1945)- Allocation, also inequality is important for society as it sifts and sorts Davis and Moore (1945) argue that the education

system matches students to the jobs in which they are best suited on a basis of their talent and ability. This allocation means that qualification are rewarded to the most academically talented students, which in turn leads them to the most functionally important jobs with the highest rewards.

They also produce an advanced labour forceHow do school sifts people?

However….Anything wrong with this theory?