...Functionalism Functionalists stress the positive aspect of the family. In particular they focus on the roles of one family type in particular which is the nuclear family. When talking about functionalist there are two main people you need to consider: * Murdoch * Parsons Murdoch: Parsons: Criticizing functionalists: Recap Questions: * Name the two functionalists? - - * What four functions did Murdoch discover to perform in every society? - - - - * What is primary socialization? * What is adult personality stabilization? * What do feminists think about functionalism? * What do Marxism’s think about the family? * What does Morgan (1975) think about both Marxist and functionalist approaches? ----------------------- Murdoch claimed the family was a universal institution. He studied 250 societies and found the family in all of them in some form or shape and it performs the same functions: * Sexual: in most societies there are rules forbidding sexual relationships outside the marriage. Without such rules, conflict may arise. * Economic: in many societies the family is a unit of consumption * Reproduction: the family is the main unit for reproduction * Educational: the family is mainly responsible for primary socialization Murdoch cannot imagine a substitute for the family and believes it benefits both individuals...
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...knowledge, evaluate the contribution of functionalist sociologists to our understanding of the family. (20 marks) Functionalism is a structural theory, as it sees society as a system made of various institutions such as family, education and religion. Functionalists follow the to-down approach which starts analysis with the social structure of society than the individuals, they also believe that our behavior is shaped and directed by the system as we are the product of society. As mentioned in Item B, functionalists believe that family is an important institution in society as they have a certain amount of roles that are vital for society to run smoothly. In addition to this, functionalists also believe that family is an agent of primary socialization, socializing children into the culture of society, children learn the norms and values of society in the family becoming a reproduction of society. Parsons studied on white m/c Americans and found that the family is the best place for primary socialization as it shows security and mutual support, also married couples gain emotional support and security from being married being able to encourage one another. However, the functionalist perspectives have been highly criticized as it seems they assume that the family benefits everyone and the views of socialization being a one-way process in which children learning their culture. Furthermore, a Marxist would reject and disapprove the functionalist idea and say that society is based...
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...Identify and discuss the key features of both Functionalist and Marxist theories. [25 Marks] Functionalist and Marxist are macro sociological theories that give a better understanding of the society. Functionalist theory is referred to as the consensus whilst the Marxist theory is known as the conflict theory. Key features of both theories are going to be identified and discussed. According to Haralambos and Holborn (2008), a theory is a set of ideas which attempts to explain how something works. Functionalism is one of the major theoretical perspectives in sociology which explains how social order is possible or how society remains relatively stable. Marxism is a theoretical perspective that emphasizes the role of coercion and power in producing social order and is derived from the works of Karl Max. Functionalism has its origins in the works of Durkheim, E who was especially interested in how social order is possible or how society remains relatively stable. Functionalist theory has got its main features and other theories have different views towards it. Value consensus is one of the key features of functionalist theory. Value consensus forms the fundamental integrating principle in society. The functionalist subscribes that the majority of the people in a community share common goals and only a few deviants oppose. This is supported by Haralambos and Holborn (2008) that if members of society are committed to the same values, they will tend to share a common...
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...ways social institutions fill social needs, especially social solidarity. Functionalism is associated with Emile Durkheim and more recently with Talcott Parsons (Marshall 1994: 190-1). Since functional analysis studies the contributions made by socio-cultural phenomena to the socio-cultural systems of which they are a part. Many functionalists argue that social institutions are functionally integrated to form a stable system and that a change in one institution will precipitate a change in other institutions; expressed by Durkheim and others as an organic analogy. Functionalism, originating as an alternative to historical explanations, was one of the first twentieth century anthropological theories, until it was superseded by structural-functional analysis or structural-functionalism. Structural-functionalism takes the view that society consists of parts (e.g. police, hospitals, schools, and farms), each of which have their own functions and work together to promote social stability. Structural-functionalism was the dominant perspective of cultural anthropologists and rural sociologists between World War II and the Vietnam War. Along with conflict theory and interactionism functionalism is one of the three major sociological traditions. Functionalism is the oldest, and still the dominant, theoretical perspective in sociology and many other social sciences. This perspective is built upon twin emphases: application of the scientific method to the objective social world and use...
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...Identify and discuss the key features of both Functionalist and Marxist theories. [25 Marks] Functionalist and Marxist are macro sociological theories that give a better understanding of the society. Functionalist theory is referred to as the consensus whilst the Marxist theory is known as the conflict theory. Key features of both theories are going to be identified and discussed. According to Haralambos and Holborn (2008), a theory is a set of ideas which attempts to explain how something works. Functionalism is one of the major theoretical perspectives in sociology which explains how social order is possible or how society remains relatively stable. Marxism is a theoretical perspective that emphasizes the role of coercion and power in producing social order and is derived from the works of Karl Max. Functionalism has its origins in the works of Durkheim, E who was especially interested in how social order is possible or how society remains relatively stable. Functionalist theory has got its main features and other theories have different views towards it. Value consensus is one of the key features of functionalist theory. Value consensus forms the fundamental integrating principle in society. The functionalist subscribes that the majority of the people in a community share common goals and only a few deviants oppose. This is supported by Haralambos and Holborn (2008) that if members of society are committed to the same values, they will tend to share a common...
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...an individual effort and high levels of education. There are three theories that help comprehend education, and these are Functionalism, Conflict, and Interactionism theories. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impact that the functionalism, conflict, and Interactionism theories has on education, and to further discuss their similarities and differences; how each theory applies to the selected sociological institution; how each theory affects the individual; how it affects the approach to social changes, and how does each theory affects the view of society. Education is certainly the biggest and most valuable accomplishment a person can obtain. It helps us grow intellectually in society, and regulates the progress of society. Education offers people regardless of their background, race, religion, or income an equal opportunity to be successful. According to the Functionalist aspect, Schools are seen as functional for society for a variety of manifest and latent reasons. They are socialization agents that teach students culturally relevant core values and norms in what Durkheim (1915/1964) called a moral education that would help create a more cohesive social structure. Schools provide social control for behavior. They reinforce behaviors that support the political and economic systems, including patriotism, a work ethic, and teaching students how to perform tasks essential for jobs. Functionalists concentrate on ways that education can collectively assist the needs...
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...product of social learning via labeling strategies, it is composed of both informal and formal mechanisms and maintains that the exploitation of socialization and social learning contributes to the individual building of self-control, and in the reduction divergent behaviour. Both controls enforce labeling as a sanction to shame the supposedly deviant character; it infers that the individual has earned disapproval from society due to failed expectations of behaviour. Labeling theorists propose that criminality comes from the response to behaviour as an alternative to actual violation of the law (Wellford, 1975), this is evident in society’s acceptance of illegal downloading despite the sanctions and group in powers values. Durkheim views this defiance as a necessity to an ever changing society where deviance is of use to maintaining functionality, social constancy and collective consciousness, when this is absent anomie is said to arise. Labelling theory holds much of the same stance as conflict theory in emphasising the power of social groups and social control in expectations and stigmatisation. Where the delegation of labels creates sub-groups within society each group is anticipated to fulfil certain normative behaviours, in violating these they become outsiders and hereafter ‘deviant’. Control theory is dependent on the socialization of an individual; it introduces various restraints reliant on internal controls inclusive of morality, consciousness and the desire to be considered...
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...defined as a set of people related by blood, marriage, or other agreed-on relationship, or adoption (Schaefer, 2011). We will view family through the following sociological theories: Functionalism, Conflict and Interactionism theory. Each theory has its own interpretation on family. First we must comprehend these three different perspectives, then their application of family and finally how those view of family affects society. The functionalist theory focuses on ways in which family gratifies the needs of its participants and is structured to maintain the stability of society (Schaefer, 2011). This perspective focuses on the six paramount functions described by sociologist William F. Ogburn (Schaefer, 2011). Family is responsible in establishing function in society by using the six paramount functions and they are reproduction, protection, socialization, regulation of sexual behavior, affection and companionship, and provision of social status (Schaefer, 2011). Functionalist theorists have opposing views on the particular functions that a family must perform but they all agree that family plays an integral part in the societal function. Sociologists, who work with the functionalist perspective, view family as contributing part of society’s basic needs and obtaining specialized roles in society. Functionalists believe that the family is an optimistic and advantageous foundation in which family members receive nurturing, care, health care, housing, and education. Functionalist’s...
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...useful are theories of integration to understanding the development of the European Union? BY IRABOR PETER ODION 07037830536 p24real2000@yahoo.com. “There is no historical precedent for the creation of a multinational, multicultural, and multilingual federation of states with mature social, economic, political and legal systems. In this regard the EU is a colossal and original enterprise.” From the beginnings of its development, there have many causes for the development of what is now the European Union (EU). This essay examines theories of integration and evaluates their validity in explaining the development of the EU. Then, by scrutinising these theories, this essay will seek to establish which, if any provide a comprehensive explanation for the development of the EU. Theories of integration offer explanations of how and why supranational governance has developed. Whilst there are undoubtedly many different causes and factors which have contributed to the development of the EU, this essay primarily focuses on neo-functionalism and intergovernmentalism as well as some new theories of integration which seek to explain the development. Although federalist and functionalist theories...
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...for explaining them. Essentialists typically reside outside of sociology, usually in medicine, theology, and biology. Constructionists are typically mainstream sociologists. Gender Inequality • Explain the possible origins of gender inequality according to the text. ==> Back in the day when men had to go out and procure food, they needed to be bigger and stronger. They were needed for this vital role. Women were built to be nurturing so they could stay back with their offspring and keep them safe while the men hunted. The two rules were crucial for survival. • Compare and contrast functionalist theory and conflict theory in their approaches to explaining gender inequality. ==> Functionalists theory says that sex determines which roles men and women are best suited to; it’s more appropriate for men to play the instrumental role and for women to play the expressive role. ==> Conflict theory says because of the traditional division of labor in families, males have had more access to resources and privileges and have sought to maintain their dominance. • Explain the interactionist approach to understanding the concept of gender. ==>...
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...1. Sociologists are merely interested in how socialization impacts society as a whole and are also concerned with knowing whether every individual in society go through the stages of socialization in a similar way or order and if it is effective in teaching them how to fit into society. When it comes to one 'self', one is constantly evolving. Sociologists seem to have a great interest with how 'self-identity' is acquired and how people begin to develop into their own person. Everyone is different and each individual evolves differently; whether it is physically, mentally or emotionally (which goes without saying). Furthermore, Sociologists view the topic from the sociological perspective "seeing the strange in the familiar", by looking at socialization and digging deep into into how socialization shapes people's lives and every step from childhood to adulthood of how they evolve. Sociologists observe that nothing in society is obvious on the surface. Secondly, when it comes to "depersonalizing the personal", sociologists usually look at the way an individual is growing up and how socialization plays a huge role in it. Such as, gender roles and the ongoing patterns that gender roles have whilst a child is growing older. For example, from a young age, girls play with dolls, have little cooking materials as toys to prep them for the future when they have to perform their maternal duties such as cooking. Girls are also taught that pink is their 'color'. They have pink clothes, pink...
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...contrast the Functionalist and Marxist perspective to our understanding of society The Functionalist perspective to our society is that we are controlled by society by aspects of our society such as media, religion, education and government to name a few. Auguste Comte developed a theory known as the organic analogy which explained that each part of society played a vital role in making the body of society work coherently, for example the education system may represent the brain as it is this which teaches us not only what to think but how to think. Marxism is comparable in the way that it is also a structural theory and that society controls us all via social control and sanctions however Marxism focuses on the brainwashing of the proletariat by the media, so that we are indoctrinated into believing what society wants us think and also the control of social inequality so that society maintains itself and the relations of production continue. Louis Althusser, a Marxist developed the idea of “ideological state apparatus”, this idea that the ideological state apparatuses, such as churches, schools, family, media and such reinforce the rule of bourgeoisie over the proletariat primarily through ideology in form of norms and values. This demonstrates the view that we are controlled by society as it teaches us and forces it's norms and values on us in order for us to conform to the group, although this is a Marxist point it also is identical to the Functionalist perspective. ...
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...non-material culture. Cultural Integration is important because it maintains a unity and a certain balance in a particular society. Also, cultural integration helps keep a society together, so all can share the same beliefs and values in a social system. Therefore, it helps to reduce conflict in a society where cultural integration is present. If all parts of a society are linked together, it becomes more homogeneous, which affects the amount of conflict present. Functionalist thought is a general consensus that socialization helps integrate people of a society. Everyone in that particular society follows the rules of that culture. These rules can be described as an invisible agreement, which is put forth by the culture in which the society follows or practices. Functionalism believes that cultural integration has a special purpose in a society. Its purpose is to join people of a society into a common bond. It draws the people into a similar way of thinking. Functionalist thought believes that cultural integration is directly responsible for the amount of deviance in a society. If people are culturally integrated and share the same beliefs and values, then the amount of deviance must be low, compared to a society that is not integrated. In conclusion,...
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...«The role of education is to enable children to prepare for their place in society» To what extent would Marxists and Functionalists agree on this? In sociology there are two main structural approaches consensus theory (functionalism) and conflict theory (Marxism). They have different perspectives that see society differently. Education is the action or process of teaching someone especially in a school, college, or university; it is one of the institutions society consists of. Accordingly functionalists’ and Marxists’ view of the role of education in society differs. Both functionalism and Marxism agree that schooling socialises students into their place in society, however they have a conflict view on whether this is a ‘good’ thing or not. Functionalists assume that educational institutions serve the needs of industrial society, by an advanced division of labour. Educational institutions are examined for the positive contribution they make towards maintaining society and it is seen as vital part of socialization. Education also serves the needs of the social system by socializing pupils to shared values, norms and beliefs. This leads to great social solidarity. Emile Durkhiem (1903) identified two main functions of education: creating social solidarity and teaching specialist skills. He argues that society needs to have sense of solidarity, where every individuals should feel themselves to be part of the community. Durkhiem stated that school serves a function in a complex...
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...Asses the contribution of functionalist sociologists to our understanding of the family. A function is a purpose and explains how this institution contributes to the maintenance and smooth running of society this approach to society is called functionalism. From a functionalists point of view a family is a heterosexual couple with dependent children, male is the breadwinner and woman is the housewife. Functionalists believe that the nuclear family supports society because it is geographically mobile and allows the family to move around with little trouble. Functionalists believe that society is based on a shared value consensus, this is a set of shared norms and values into which society socializes its members this enables society to work harmoniously and meet society's needs and goals. George Murdoch said that their are four main functions of the nuclear family these are; sexual, it strengthens relations in the family. Reproductive, family is the main unit of production. Educational, family is responsible for primary education. Economic, the family has to produce and consume something in order to satisfy its needs and wants. The nuclear family can be extended vertically, horizontally or by polygamy. Some may argue that Murdoch's definition is weak because at that time sex before marriage was not accepted as was single mothers and homo-sexual families. Talcott Parsons argued that although there are many functions that the family has...
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