Discovering Structural Functionalism
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Questions and Answers

Who is considered the first true sociological functionalist?

  • Herbert Spencer (correct)
  • Thomas Malthus
  • Talcott Parsons
  • Emile Durkheim

    • According to Spencer, what analogy does he use to describe society?

  • Plant
  • Human body (correct)
  • Ecosystem
  • Machine

    • What term did Spencer use to refer to a social system?

  • Inorganic
  • Mechanical
  • Organic
  • Super-organic (correct)

    • What did Spencer conclude about society's adaptation to selection pressures?

    <p>Society's ability to adapt depends on centralized authority (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the three functional needs or prerequisites that produce selection pressures according to Spencer?

    <p>Regulatory, operative, and distributive (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In tribal societies, which structure satisfies the three functional needs?

    <p>Kinship system (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What emerges in society as a solution to the problems that arise with increasing population?

    <p>Chief or 'big man' (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Spencer, how do the structural parts of society function?

    <p>Interdependently (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the cyclical model of evolution proposed by Spencer?

    <p>Differentiation and increasing complication, equilibrium and disequilibrium, disintegration or dissolution (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which contemporary theorist was influenced by Spencer's work?

    <p>Talcott Parsons (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, which philosopher believed that society constitutes a separate 'level' of reality, distinct from both biological and inorganic matter?

    <p>Comte (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, what is the term used by Durkheim to refer to the social bonds based on common sentiments and shared moral values that are strong among members of pre-industrial societies?

    <p>Mechanical solidarity (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, what is the central concern of structural functionalism?

    <p>Maintaining internal stability and cohesion of societies (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, what is the network of statuses connected by associated roles called?

    <p>Social structure (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, which theorist proposed that stateless, 'primitive' societies are based on an association of corporate-descent groups?

    <p>Radcliffe-Brown (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, who was the 'Father of Positivism' and the first person to coin the term sociology?

    <p>Comte (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, which stage of development in Comte's theory of sociology reflects the failings of a selfish human nature rather than the perfection of God?

    <p>Metaphysical stage (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, what do functionalist theories primarily analyze social and cultural phenomena in terms of?

    <p>Function (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, which philosopher proposed that the basic building block of society is the nuclear family, and that the clan is an outgrowth?

    <p>Bronisław Malinowski (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, what do functionalist theories tend to be contrasted with?

    <p>Conflict theories (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, functionalism sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability. This approach looks at society through a macro-level orientation, focusing on the social structures that shape society as a whole. Functionalism addresses society as a whole in terms of the function of its constituent elements, such as norms, customs, traditions, and institutions.

    <p>The social structures that shape society as a whole (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    1. Which analogy is commonly used to describe the parts of society in functionalism?

    <p>Organs and body (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    1. According to Talcott Parsons, what does 'structural-functionalism' describe?

    <p>A particular stage in the methodological development of social science (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    1. What does functionalism emphasize in terms of the social world and its individual parts?

    <p>The pre-eminence of the social world over its individual parts (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    1. What is the function of social norms, customs, traditions, and institutions in functionalism?

    <p>To maintain social stability and solidarity (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    1. Which scientific field has functionalism looked towards as a guide for conceptualizing social systems?

    <p>Biology (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    1. What is the main idea behind functionalism's approach to society?

    <p>Society is a complex system with interdependent parts (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    1. How does functionalism view social evolution?

    <p>As a mechanism of adaptation (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    1. What is the macro-level orientation in functionalism?

    <p>A broad focus on social structures (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    1. According to the text, what does functionalism address in society?

    <p>The function of social elements (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, what is the main focus of structural functionalism?

    <p>The social structures that shape society as a whole (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, what analogy does Herbert Spencer use to describe the parts of society in functionalism?

    <p>Organs (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, what does functionalism address in society?

    <p>The social functions (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, what is the term used to describe the social bonds based on common sentiments and shared moral values that are strong among members of pre-industrial societies?

    <p>Solidarity (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, what scientific field has functionalism looked towards as a guide for conceptualizing social systems?

    <p>Biology (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, what are the three functional needs or prerequisites that produce selection pressures according to Spencer?

    <p>Adaptation, stability, and solidarity (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, what is the cyclical model of evolution proposed by Spencer?

    <p>Cyclical evolution (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, who is considered the first true sociological functionalist?

    <p>Herbert Spencer (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, what do functionalist theories tend to be contrasted with?

    <p>Conflict theories (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, what is the pre-eminence of the social world over its individual parts called in functionalism?

    <p>Social solidarity (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, who is considered the first true sociological functionalist?

    <p>Herbert Spencer (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did Spencer conclude about society's adaptation to selection pressures?

    <p>Society will adapt but face new selection pressures (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, what is the main idea behind functionalism's approach to society?

    <p>Society is constantly facing selection pressures (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the three functional needs or prerequisites that produce selection pressures according to Spencer?

    <p>Regulatory, operative, and distributive (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, which philosopher proposed that society constitutes a separate 'level' of reality, distinct from both biological and inorganic matter?

    <p>Emile Durkheim (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, what does 'structural-functionalism' describe?

    <p>The analysis of social structures and their functions (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, which contemporary theorist was influenced by Spencer's work?

    <p>Talcott Parsons (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, which theorist proposed that stateless, 'primitive' societies are based on an association of corporate-descent groups?

    <p>Max Weber (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, what is the function of social norms, customs, traditions, and institutions in functionalism?

    <p>To maintain social order and stability (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, what does functionalism address in society?

    <p>Social and cultural phenomena (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Auguste Comte, what is the theological stage characterized by?

    <p>The belief that society expresses God's will (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which theorist proposed that complex societies are held together by 'solidarity', which refers to social bonds based on specialization and interdependence?

    <p>Émile Durkheim (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to functionalism, how are social and cultural phenomena primarily analyzed?

    <p>In terms of their function and contribution to overall social equilibrium (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Émile Durkheim, what holds pre-industrial societies together?

    <p>Common sentiments and shared moral values (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main concern of structural functionalism?

    <p>Explaining the stability and internal cohesion of societies over time (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which theorist proposed that stateless, 'primitive' societies are based on an association of corporate-descent groups?

    <p>Bronisław Malinowski (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to functionalism, what is the network of statuses connected by associated roles called?

    <p>Social structure (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What analogy does Spencer use to describe society?

    <p>Organism (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which scientific field has functionalism looked towards as a guide for conceptualizing social systems?

    <p>Biology (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to functionalism, what is the macro-level orientation?

    <p>Focusing on the social structures that shape society as a whole (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, what did Herbert Spencer apply to society?

    <p>The theory of natural selection (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, who is considered the most important functionalist among positivist theorists?

    <p>Émile Durkheim (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, what is the evolutionary model proposed by Spencer?

    <p>Cyclical (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, what are the three functional needs recognized by Spencer?

    <p>Regulatory, operative, and distributive (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, what is the dominant structure that satisfies the functional needs in tribal societies?

    <p>Kinship system (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, what does Spencer propose as the solution to societal problems?

    <p>Differentiation of structures (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, what is the main focus of Talcott Parsons' early work 'The Structure of Social Action'?

    <p>Social systems (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, what is the term used by Spencer to refer to a social system?

    <p>Super-organic (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, what is the term used by Spencer to refer to the stage of disintegration or dissolution in the evolutionary model?

    <p>Disequilibrium (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, what is the term used by Spencer to refer to the selection pressures faced by society?

    <p>Internal and external pressures (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, which sociological theory sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability?

    <p>Structural functionalism (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, what is the main focus of structural functionalism?

    <p>Macro-level social structures (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, what analogy does Herbert Spencer use to describe the parts of society in functionalism?

    <p>Organs (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, what does functionalism emphasize in terms of the social world and its individual parts?

    <p>The pre-eminence of the social world (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Talcott Parsons, what does 'structural-functionalism' describe?

    <p>A particular stage in the methodological development of social science (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, what is the term used by Durkheim to refer to the social bonds based on common sentiments and shared moral values that are strong among members of pre-industrial societies?

    <p>Mechanical solidarity (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, what is the main idea behind functionalism's approach to society?

    <p>Society is a complex system with interdependent parts (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, who is considered the first true sociological functionalist?

    <p>Herbert Spencer (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, what is the function of social norms, customs, traditions, and institutions in functionalism?

    <p>To regulate individual behavior (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, what does functionalism address in society?

    <p>The function of social structures (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Auguste Comte, what is the theological stage characterized by?

    <p>The belief that society expresses God's will (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the cyclical model of evolution proposed by Spencer?

    <p>Society evolves in a cycle of progress and decline (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, what does functionalism emphasize in terms of the social world and its individual parts?

    <p>Cohesive systems (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which scientific field has functionalism looked towards as a guide for conceptualizing social systems?

    <p>Biology (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, what is the pre-eminence of the social world over its individual parts called in functionalism?

    <p>Structural-functionalism (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What emerges in society as a solution to the problems that arise with increasing population?

    <p>Specialization and interdependence (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which theorist proposed that stateless, 'primitive' societies are based on an association of corporate-descent groups?

    <p>Radcliffe-Brown (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, what is the central concern of structural functionalism?

    <p>Explaining the stability and internal cohesion of societies (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the text, what is the term used by Durkheim to refer to the social bonds based on common sentiments and shared moral values that are strong among members of pre-industrial societies?

    <p>Mechanical solidarity (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main idea behind functionalism's approach to society?

    <p>Society is a complex system with parts that work together for social equilibrium (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Functionalism

    A sociological theory that views society as a complex system where all parts work together to ensure solidarity and stability.

    Social Evolution (Spencer)

    The idea that societies adapt to pressures through a process similar to natural selection in biology.

    Social System (Spencer)

    A 'super-organic' entity, a complex system of interconnected parts working together.

    Functional Needs (Spencer)

    The three fundamental needs that drive social evolution: getting food and resources, reproducing, and maintaining order.

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    Mechanical Solidarity (Durkheim)

    The social bonds based on shared values and beliefs in traditional societies.

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    Talcott Parsons

    A contemporary theorist who explored the function of social structures and their influence on behaviour.

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    Auguste Comte

    The father of Sociology, who coined the term and proposed a cyclical model of societal development.

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    Structural Functionalism

    A sociological perspective that emphasizes the role of social structures in shaping society as a whole.

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    Organismic Analogy (Spencer)

    Analogy comparing society to a living organism with interconnected parts that work together for its survival.

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    Cyclical Model of Evolution (Spencer)

    Herbert Spencer's theory that societies evolve through cycles of adaptation to selection pressures.

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    Adaptation and Selection (Spencer)

    The process of societies adapting and changing to deal with new challenges, like natural selection in biology.

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    Herbert Spencer

    The founder of functionalism, who saw society as an organism with interconnected parts.

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    Sociology

    The study of how societies function and change, often focusing on large-scale structures.

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    Social Evolution

    The process of societies evolving from simple to more complex forms, driven by adaptation.

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    Social Structures

    The different parts or structures that make up a society, such as institutions, norms, and values.

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    Society as a Separate Level

    The idea that society is a separate level of reality, distinct from individual humans or natural elements.

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    Mechanical Solidarity

    The social bonds that are formed through common values and beliefs, typically found in smaller societies.

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    Selection Pressures

    The pressures or challenges that societies face, often driving them to adapt and evolve.

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    Social Adaptation

    The ability of a society to adapt and change to new situations.

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    Social Complexity

    The process of societies becoming more complex and specialized over time, driven by adaptation and evolution.

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    Macro-Level Orientation

    A view of society as an abstract system with rules, norms, and structures that go beyond individual choices.

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    Social Norms

    The shared beliefs, values, and customs that guide behavior and create a sense of unity in a society.

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    Social Institutions

    The established patterns of social interaction and relationships, such as families, schools, and governments.

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    Cyclical Evolution

    The concept of a cyclical process of social evolution, with societies constantly adapting and changing.

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    Micro-Level Orientation

    The study of how individuals interact and shape society, often focusing on small groups and individuals.

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    Social Influence

    The influence and importance of society over individual actions and choices.

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    Study Notes

    Herbert Spencer and Functionalism

    • Herbert Spencer is considered the first true sociological functionalist.
    • He uses an analogy to describe society as an organism, with various parts working together like organs in a biological organism.
    • Spencer refers to a social system as a "super-organic" entity.
    • He concludes that society adapts to selection pressures through a process of natural selection.

    Functional Needs and Social Evolution

    • According to Spencer, there are three functional needs or prerequisites that produce selection pressures: nutrition, reproduction, and regulation.
    • In tribal societies, the tribe satisfies these functional needs.
    • As population increases, social structures emerge as a solution to the problems that arise.

    Functionalism

    • Functionalism is a sociological theory that sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability.
    • It looks at society through a macro-level orientation, focusing on social structures that shape society as a whole.
    • Functionalism emphasizes the pre-eminence of the social world over its individual parts.

    Key Concepts and Theorists

    • Émile Durkheim proposed that society constitutes a separate 'level' of reality, distinct from both biological and inorganic matter.
    • Durkheim referred to social bonds based on common sentiments and shared moral values in pre-industrial societies as "mechanical solidarity".
    • Talcott Parsons, a contemporary theorist, was influenced by Spencer's work.
    • Auguste Comte, the "Father of Positivism", coined the term sociology and proposed a cyclical model of evolution.
    • Herbert Spencer proposed a cyclical model of evolution, where society adapts to selection pressures through natural selection.

    Structural Functionalism

    • Structural functionalism focuses on the social structures that shape society as a whole.
    • It addresses society as a whole in terms of the function of its constituent elements, such as norms, customs, traditions, and institutions.
    • This approach looks at society through a macro-level orientation.

    Analogies and Models

    • Herbert Spencer uses an organismic analogy to describe society.
    • Functionalism draws on biology as a guide for conceptualizing social systems.
    • Spencer's cyclical model of evolution proposes that societies evolve through adaptation to selection pressures.

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    Test your knowledge on structural functionalism, a theoretical framework that views society as a complex system promoting solidarity and stability. Explore its macro-level orientation and its belief in society's evolution like organisms.

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