Functionalism Theory Quiz

Émile Durkheim (1858–1917) is one of the founding figures of functionalism. His work focuses on the role of social institutions and their ability to maintain social order. Durkheim's key concepts include social facts, collective conscience, social solidarity and anomie. He viewed society as a system of interconnected parts, each fulfilling specific functions that contribute to overall stability.

Durkheim argued that social facts are the norms, values, laws, and institutions that exist outside of the individual but exert a coercive influence on their behaviour. These social facts shape how people act within society, guiding their behaviour in ways that contribute to social order. For instance, laws govern behaviour, and social norms dictate appropriate conduct in various social contexts.

The collective conscience refers to the shared beliefs and values that bind society together. Durkheim believed that for society to function effectively, individuals must share common moral and cultural beliefs. This collective conscience is crucial for social solidarity, as it provides a sense of belonging and enables individuals to understand their roles in society.

Durkheim distinguished between mechanical solidarity, found in traditional, small-scale societies, and organic solidarity, found in modern, industrial societies. In societies with mechanical solidarity, cohesion is based on the similarities among individuals. In contrast, organic solidarity arises in more complex societies where individuals perform specialised roles. In such societies, social cohesion is based on the interdependence of individuals performing different tasks.

Anomie refers to a state of normlessness or a breakdown of social norms. Durkheim argued that anomie arises during times of rapid social change or when individuals experience a disconnect from societal norms. This breakdown can lead to social instability, as individuals may struggle to find their place in society and act in ways that are harmful to social cohesion.

Durkheim’s study of suicide demonstrated that social factors, rather than individual characteristics, play a significant role in influencing suicide rates. He argued that suicide rates were influenced by two key factors: social integration (the degree to which individuals are connected to society) and social regulation (the extent to which societal norms control behaviour). High integration and regulation were linked to lower suicide rates, while low levels of both increased suicide rates.

Durkheim compared society to the human body in his functionalist theory. Just as organs in the body work together to maintain the body's functioning, different institutions in society (such as education, family, and religion) work together to maintain social order. Each institution serves a specific function that contributes to the stability of the whole system.

Talcott Parsons developed the AGIL schema to explain the four functional needs of any social system:

• Adaptation (A): The system must meet the material needs of its members and adapt to its environment (e.g., economic systems).
• Goal Attainment (G): Society must establish and mobilise resources to achieve goals (e.g., political systems).
• Integration (I): The system must regulate the relationships between different parts of society (e.g., legal systems).
• Latency (L): The system must maintain and transmit cultural values and norms to ensure stability (e.g., education and family systems).

In Parsons' view, for society to function smoothly, there must be a general agreement on shared values and norms, known as value consensus. This shared agreement binds individuals together, ensuring social order and reducing conflict. A value consensus is essential for the smooth functioning of society, as it creates a common understanding of social roles and expectations.

While Durkheim focused on social cohesion and the role of institutions in maintaining order, Parsons further developed functionalism by emphasising the interconnectedness of societal parts through his AGIL framework. Durkheim viewed society as a system of social facts, while Parsons expanded on this by introducing more abstract concepts like the social system, equilibrium, and socialisation to explain how institutions contribute to the overall stability of society.

For Parsons, socialisation is the process by which individuals learn the shared norms and values of society. Social institutions like the family and education play crucial roles in socialisation, ensuring that individuals internalise the values and beliefs necessary for social order. Through socialisation, individuals learn to cooperate and contribute to the stability of society.

In Parsons’ theory, equilibrium refers to the balance between different parts of society, where each institution functions in harmony with the others. Change in society is seen as a gradual process that occurs when new needs arise or when external factors disrupt equilibrium. However, such changes usually lead to a new form of equilibrium rather than chaos, ensuring that society remains stable.

Critics argue that functionalism overemphasises stability and fails to account for social conflict, power imbalances, and inequality. Marxists, for example, contend that functionalism overlooks the ways in which social systems benefit certain groups at the expense of others. Feminists argue that it fails to address the patriarchal structures that disadvantage women. Additionally, functionalism has been criticised for being deterministic, ignoring individual agency.

Functionalists view social institutions, like the family, education, and religion, as essential for maintaining social order. These institutions provide the framework for socialisation, ensure the transmission of shared values, and help regulate behaviour. For instance, the family socialises children into societal norms, while the education system prepares individuals for their roles in the economy and society.

Functionalism has been criticised for its inability to fully explain rapid social change. Critics argue that the theory’s focus on stability and gradual change overlooks the impact of social movements, revolutions, and technological innovations that can cause significant and sudden shifts in society. Functionalism also presents an idealised view of society, often ignoring issues of inequality and conflict that drive social change.