Functionalist View Essay

leader, Adolf Hitler. Historians have problems putting a date on the Holocaust due to the fact that there are three different views all backed with their own evidence and subjective interpretations to support them. The views are the intentionalist view, the functionalist view and the opportunist view. The intentionalist view is that Hitler had always intended for that Holocaust to occur and had planned for it in advance. The functionalist view suggests that Hitler was a slave to circumstance and that he…

to some, seem outdated. However, but by analysing globalisation this way, we see underlying structures that link seemingly unrelated aspects, thus allowing for a more robust understanding of the wider globalisation phenomena. The nature of these underlying structures is a point of ongoing contention for sociologists. Functionalists argue that although society is made up of individual actors making decisions for themselves, the move towards globalisation is society as a whole coming to a natural…

Functionalists believe that society functions like a body, different parts completing different functions, for example the family and education both serve the vital roles of teaching norms and values as well as segregating children into their roles for life. Similarly, functionalists see religion as being a vital part of a functioning society, to create a value consensus whereas Marxists and feminists believe that religion allows for inequality between classes and sexes. Durkheim believes that…

In the 21st century, technology has expanded exponentially more than it has ever. We have access to different forms of technology including smart phones, computers, and televisions. Individuals are able to access the outside world through social media, entertainment media and other distractions. It has changed the way we communicate in our lives and in our more intimate relationships. According to the Oxford Dictionary, the functionalist perspective view states that social inequality is…

inequalities exist, it is for the good of society. However, this is not the case. An example of this is that white and black people are treated unequal and this is not good for society. By people seeing a person of different colour skin to them, they may act racist and this is now illegal. Further criticisms are that functionalists fail to explain how or why society changes. Functionalists base there theories on a society that doesn’t change. However, this is not the case. Also, people in…

When it comes to the family, there are three perspectives that play a major part in order to get a great understanding on the outlooks of a family. By gaining the knowledge and understanding on how functionalism, conflict and symbolic interactionism is actually seen amongst society. The functionalist point of view accentuates the interconnectedness of society by concentrating on how each part impacts and is affected by different parts. Functionalists utilize the terms useful and useless to…

The Functionalists have a structural macro approach to society. They believe that the family benefits society and help society to run well and that it is the corner stone of a positive society. This is evident in Item B, which makes the point that all institutions are positive in society. Parsons and Murdock are two sociologists that contributed to the functionalist view of society. However, there are other groups such as the Marxists and Feminists who believe that the family can be detrimental…

On June 24, 2008, six teenagers from Long Island, NY, launched a two hour long crime spree in which they committed a violent mugging and several break-ins and thefts before finally being caught after a carjacking attempt. According to the teenagers, they were re-enacting the actions of the protagonist in the video game “Grand Theft Auto.” Although this may seem a bit extreme, it shows the true effects of violence being portrayed in the media (Boxer). Violent media contributes to aggressive…

Religion depends on society and society depends on religion. Religion brings society a value and significance. Sociologists analyze religion using three verifying perspectives: structural-functionalism, conflict theory, and the symbolic-interactionist perspective. Structural perceives religion for what it truly is which a social interaction and control belief. Whereas conflict, sees religion as a social discrimination and symbolic also sees religion as a social interaction. When a person walks…

The functionalist perspective has to do with shootings between police and pedestrians because neither of them are being punished. Yes, a police officer may have to take time off of work or the pedestrian can get a short amount of jail time but they both still get their ways. The police officer can still get paid with work release and the pedestrian, well the whole town ends up becoming an up roar and creates riots to where they destroy their town. What is destroying your own town going to do for…