INTRODUCING SOCIAL THEORY Functionalism Sociology Structural Theory Consensus

INTRODUCING SOCIAL THEORY – Functionalism

Sociology Structural Theory Consensus Conflict Functionalism Marxism Action Theory (Interpretivism) Symbolic interactionism Feminism Theory can be said to be like looking at society through different lenses – each give it a different perspective or appearance.

STRUCTURAL THEORY

Structural Approaches: * Are sometimes called social systems or structuralist approaches. * emphasise the power of society over the individual. * Believe the individual is largely controlled by society. * Think that society is in us, moulding our thoughts and directing our actions. * Argue that we are socialised in terms of the culture of society, * Say that our behaviour is shaped by the social structure, -we are kept in line by mechanisms of social control, -we learn roles, norms and values and act accordingly.

CONSENSUS THEORY • Agreement (also know as CONSENSUS) on what is right and wrong, is the basis of social life. • Without CONSENSUS, society would collapse into chaos where no one would be able to agree on how people should conduct themselves. • CONSENSUS and having shared values enables us to co-operate with each other and this provides unity. • Having CONSENSUS provides harmony.

FUNCTIONALISM

• Society is a social system based on VALUE CONSENSUS (shared values). • Society has basic needs that must be met to survive. • The need for social order & harmony is a big one. • For that to happen we need the VALUE CONSENSUS (shared values). • To get that into our heads, we need to be SOCIALISED into that culture’s particular norms and values.

Norms Values e. g. marriage, making a fuss of cheaters. e. g. monogamy.

Key FUNCTIONALIST Comte thought you could understand how society FUNCTIONS by comparing it with the FUNCTIONNING of the human body.

Comte thought there were similarities between how all the organs in the body had specific individual FUNCTIONS but worked together to maintain health and life. What are the FUNCTIONS of the following organs? The lungs? The intestines? The brain? The olfactory senses? The spine?

What might these organs represent in British society? Education Health system Religion Family Economy Legal system The FUNCTIONALIST idea is that if all the systems (organs) in society are FUNCTIONNING in harmony it will remain healthy.

Religion Family Economy Education Health system Legal system But if one or other of these vital institutions starts to malfunction, then society becomes dysfunctional.

What do you think is a consequence for society, on the failure of these institutions – why do we need them and what are we missing when they aren’t working properly? If you’re struggling, think about this in terms of having a vitamin deficiency. For instance, not having enough vitamin C makes your gums bleed and your skin start to disintegrate.

HOMEWORK - DUE WEDNESDAY (Mon if possible) • Complete the 33 mark essay using the examiners advice to help you Assess the usefulness of interactionalist approaches to the study of society • Note the targets you were set from your previous essay to make sure you address them this time.