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4 Cards in this Set
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- Back
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functionalists often use an organic analogy to explain society. Society is like a biological organism. Parsons identifies three similarities between society and a biological organism.... |
1. SYSTEM- organism such as the human body and societies are both self regulating systems of inter-related, interdependent parts that fit together in fixed ways.
2. SYSTEM NEEDS- organisms have needs such as nutrition, if these are not met, the organism will die. functionalists see the social system as having certain basic needs that must be met for it to survive. E.g its members must be socialised if society is to continue.
3.FUNCTIONS- the circulatory system of the body carries nutrients and oxygen to the tissues. similarly the economy helps maintains the social system by meeting the need for food and shelter. |
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Parsons argues that social order is achieved through the existence of a shared culture or central value system, what does this provide individuals with? |
shared culture and central value system provides individuals with a framework that allows them to cooperate by laying down rules. this is value consensus that holds society together. |
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The basic function of the value consensus is to make social order possible by integrating individuals into the social system. Parsons argues the system has two mechanisms that ensure individuals conform to shared norms and meet the systems needs. |
Socialisation- individuals internalise the systems norms and values so society becomes a part of their personality structure. different agencies of socialisations all contribute to this process- family, education, media, religion etc. Social control- positive sanctions reward conformity while negative ones punish deviance. |
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Parsons identifies four basic needs (AGIL schema) |
adaptation- the social system meets its material needs met by the economic sub system. Goal attainment- society needs to set goals and achieve them this is the function of the political sub-system e.g. parliament Integration- different parts of the system must be integrated together in order to pursue shared goals, this is done by religion education and the media. Latency- the process that maintains society over time 'pattern maintenance' socialising individuals to perform roles society requires and 'tension management' a place to let off steam...expressive needs. |
