1. Functionalism
What type of theory is it? Micro | Macro Structural | Action Consensus | Conflict
The three main theorists are : Durkheim
Marx
Parsons Merton
Modernist | Postmodernist
Weber
Oakley
Society as a System (page 221)
Functionalists see society as being like a biological organism (this is the organic analogy). Plot the similarities
The Human Body
Society
SYSTEM – self-regulating systems made
up of interdependent parts
SYSTEM NEEDS – needs which if not met
will mean that the system will not survive
FUNCTIONS – all parts perform functions
to ensure system survival
Durkheim was concerned with how social order and value consensus could be maintained as societies changed
Traditional Society
Key Features:
Modern Industrial Society
Key Features:
Values consensus and social order
For Parsons the big question is ‘how is social order possible?’. In a world of self-seeking individuals how is
harmonious cooperation possible?
For Parsons the system has TWO mechanisms for ensuring that individuals conform to shared norms and meet the
system’s needs. These are:
a)
b)
The System’s Needs (page 222)
Parsons identified four basic needs (often called the AGIL schema)
1
2
3
4
Which are the instrumental needs?
Which are the expressive needs?

2. Types of Society
Like Durkheim Parsons identified two types of society – traditional and modern. Each had their own distinctive
features – 5 distinctive norms which Parsons called pattern variables A and B
Note 3 of these norms in the grid below (page 222)
Traditional Societies (Pattern Variables A)
Modern Societies (Pattern Variables B)
Ascription:
Achievement:
Particularism:
Universalism:
Collective Orientation:
Self orientation:
Social Change (PAGE 223)
How do societies change from Traditional to Modern? According to Parsons for two reasons:
1 We can use a term we will use in our study of religion. Parsons argues that as societies become more complex
certain institutions lose their multiple functions and instead specialise to meet just one or two needs. He called this
STRUCTURAL DIFFERENTIATION.
Functions performed in Traditional Societies
Functions performed in Modern Societies
FAMILY
RELIGION
2 DYNAMIC EQUILIBRIUM
As a change occurs in one part of the system it produces compensatory changes in other parts. For example:
MERTON’S INTERNAL CRITIQUE OF FUNCTIONALISM (page 223)
Rob Merton was a functionalist (we have already come across him in the Crime topic – he invented Strain Theory.
However he was critical of 3 key assumptions of Parsons – essentially he was saying that it is stupid to just assume
that society is always and necessarily a smooth-running, well-integrated system.
1 INDISPENSABILITY
2 FUNCTIONAL UNITY
3 UNIVERSAL FUNCTIONALISM
Merton’s Manifest and Latent Functions (page 223)
This is a bit tricky but the example of the Hopi Indians should help. In times of drought they did a rain dance to try to
make it....yes rain!
Manifest (intended function) of the rain dance =
Latent (unintended function) of the rain dance =
In other words sometimes actions have important functions that many of the people, if not all, involved in the
actions are totally unaware of but which can help bind people together (integration) and ensure stability/social order

3. EXTERNAL CRITIQUES OF FUNCTIONALISM (page 224)
These are biting and you must know at least 2 of them:
1 LOGICAL CRITICISMS
2 CONFLICT PERSPECTIVE CRITICISMS
3 ACTION PERSPECTIVE CRITICISMS
4 POSTMODERN CRITICISMS
CONCLUSION
Read the summary (p225) and ensure that all of the appropriate key terms are written on your NOAHS CAVE memory jogger sheet