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The document discusses functionalism in sociology, highlighting its view of society as a system where institutions work together to maintain stability and order. It critiques functionalism for being overly optimistic and deterministic, while also presenting alternative perspectives from conflict theorists and postmodernists who emphasize social inequalities and individual agency. Key functionalist sociologists include Durkheim, Spencer, Merton, and Parsons, but the theory faces criticism for its limited understanding of contemporary fragmented societies.

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9 views

acp1 cheat

The document discusses functionalism in sociology, highlighting its view of society as a system where institutions work together to maintain stability and order. It critiques functionalism for being overly optimistic and deterministic, while also presenting alternative perspectives from conflict theorists and postmodernists who emphasize social inequalities and individual agency. Key functionalist sociologists include Durkheim, Spencer, Merton, and Parsons, but the theory faces criticism for its limited understanding of contemporary fragmented societies.

Uploaded by

farhayakub06
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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General Recognises the influence of broad social structures on people's norms, values, and behaviours.

Explains t

evaluation trend of conformity, as well as the societal and individual functions of institutions.

Functionalism is too optimistic in its assumption that all institutional functions are beneficial:

Conflict
 Marxists argue that social stratification is harmful and exploitative of lower social classes.
approach
 Feminists argue that the family can be dysfunctional and exploitative of women.

Functionalism is too deterministic in its approach to understanding how people's identities and behaviours a

Interactionism Rather than society shaping the individual, it is the individual's interactions (and our interpretations of them)

society.

Functionalism, like other structural theories, are outdated because postmodern society is characterised by
Postmodernism
individualism and unpredictability that cannot be explained by a singular theory.

The main ideas of functionalism are that:

o Institutions and structures work independently and interdependently to produce and


reproduce social order in society.
o Individuals' norms, values, and behaviours are highly influenced by society's structures and
institutions.
o Social order and stability exist because society is based on a value consensus.

 Durkheim, Spencer, Merton, and Parsons are key functionalist sociologists.

 Functionalism recognises the influence of broad social structures on people's behaviours and explains

the general trend of conformity/social order.

 The conflict approach criticises functionalism for overestimating the benefits of all institutional

functions. Interactionist theorists argue that individuals shape the society, rather than the other way

around.

 Postmodernists suggest that functionalism is no longer useful for understanding a widely fragmented

and individualised society.

The functionalist view in sociology sees society as a system where different parts work together to maintain stability and
harmony. It emphasizes the importance of social institutions and their functions in maintaining social order. In the
functionalist view, society is like a well-oiled machine, with each part playing a role to keep things running smoothly. Social
institutions, like education, family, and government, have specific functions that contribute to the overall stability of society.
For example, education helps transmit knowledge and skills, while the family provides emotional support and socialization.
Functionalists believe that when these institutions work together, society functions effectively. However, critics argue that
this perspective ignores social inequalities and conflicts. Some people may consider the functionalist view on society to be
limited because it tends to overlook social inequalities and conflicts. Critics argue that it doesn't adequately address issues
such as power dynamics, social change, and the impact of social structures on individuals. It can be seen as an overly
optimistic perspective that downplays the negative aspects of society. However, it's important to note that this is just one
perspective among many in sociology, and different theories offer different insights into society. Another criticism of the
functionalist view is that it may promote a conservative perspective by emphasizing the importance of maintaining the
status quo. Some argue that it doesn't adequately address issues of social injustice or the need for social change.
Additionally, it can be seen as overly deterministic, as it suggests that individuals are shaped solely by social structures and
have limited agency.

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