Podcast
Questions and Answers
Who is considered the first true sociological functionalist?
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?
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?
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?
What did Spencer conclude about society's adaptation to selection pressures?
What are the three functional needs or prerequisites that produce selection pressures according to Spencer?
What are the three functional needs or prerequisites that produce selection pressures according to Spencer?
In tribal societies, which structure satisfies the three functional needs?
In tribal societies, which structure satisfies the three functional needs?
What emerges in society as a solution to the problems that arise with increasing population?
What emerges in society as a solution to the problems that arise with increasing population?
According to Spencer, how do the structural parts of society function?
According to Spencer, how do the structural parts of society function?
What is the cyclical model of evolution proposed by Spencer?
What is the cyclical model of evolution proposed by Spencer?
Which contemporary theorist was influenced by Spencer's work?
Which contemporary theorist was influenced by Spencer's work?
According to the text, which philosopher believed that society constitutes a separate 'level' of reality, distinct from both biological and inorganic matter?
According to the text, which philosopher believed that society constitutes a separate 'level' of reality, distinct from both biological and inorganic matter?
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?
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?
According to the text, what is the central concern of structural functionalism?
According to the text, what is the central concern of structural functionalism?
According to the text, what is the network of statuses connected by associated roles called?
According to the text, what is the network of statuses connected by associated roles called?
According to the text, which theorist proposed that stateless, 'primitive' societies are based on an association of corporate-descent groups?
According to the text, which theorist proposed that stateless, 'primitive' societies are based on an association of corporate-descent groups?
According to the text, who was the 'Father of Positivism' and the first person to coin the term sociology?
According to the text, who was the 'Father of Positivism' and the first person to coin the term sociology?
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?
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?
According to the text, what do functionalist theories primarily analyze social and cultural phenomena in terms of?
According to the text, what do functionalist theories primarily analyze social and cultural phenomena in terms of?
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?
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?
According to the text, what do functionalist theories tend to be contrasted with?
According to the text, what do functionalist theories tend to be contrasted with?
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.
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.
- Which analogy is commonly used to describe the parts of society in functionalism?
- Which analogy is commonly used to describe the parts of society in functionalism?
- According to Talcott Parsons, what does 'structural-functionalism' describe?
- According to Talcott Parsons, what does 'structural-functionalism' describe?
- What does functionalism emphasize in terms of the social world and its individual parts?
- What does functionalism emphasize in terms of the social world and its individual parts?
- What is the function of social norms, customs, traditions, and institutions in functionalism?
- What is the function of social norms, customs, traditions, and institutions in functionalism?
- Which scientific field has functionalism looked towards as a guide for conceptualizing social systems?
- Which scientific field has functionalism looked towards as a guide for conceptualizing social systems?
- What is the main idea behind functionalism's approach to society?
- What is the main idea behind functionalism's approach to society?
- How does functionalism view social evolution?
- How does functionalism view social evolution?
- What is the macro-level orientation in functionalism?
- What is the macro-level orientation in functionalism?
- According to the text, what does functionalism address in society?
- According to the text, what does functionalism address in society?
According to the text, what is the main focus of structural functionalism?
According to the text, what is the main focus of structural functionalism?
According to the text, what analogy does Herbert Spencer use to describe the parts of society in functionalism?
According to the text, what analogy does Herbert Spencer use to describe the parts of society in functionalism?
According to the text, what does functionalism address in society?
According to the text, what does functionalism address in society?
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?
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?
According to the text, what scientific field has functionalism looked towards as a guide for conceptualizing social systems?
According to the text, what scientific field has functionalism looked towards as a guide for conceptualizing social systems?
According to the text, what are the three functional needs or prerequisites that produce selection pressures according to Spencer?
According to the text, what are the three functional needs or prerequisites that produce selection pressures according to Spencer?
According to the text, what is the cyclical model of evolution proposed by Spencer?
According to the text, what is the cyclical model of evolution proposed by Spencer?
According to the text, who is considered the first true sociological functionalist?
According to the text, who is considered the first true sociological functionalist?
According to the text, what do functionalist theories tend to be contrasted with?
According to the text, what do functionalist theories tend to be contrasted with?
According to the text, what is the pre-eminence of the social world over its individual parts called in functionalism?
According to the text, what is the pre-eminence of the social world over its individual parts called in functionalism?
According to the text, who is considered the first true sociological functionalist?
According to the text, who is considered the first true sociological functionalist?
What did Spencer conclude about society's adaptation to selection pressures?
What did Spencer conclude about society's adaptation to selection pressures?
According to the text, what is the main idea behind functionalism's approach to society?
According to the text, what is the main idea behind functionalism's approach to society?
What are the three functional needs or prerequisites that produce selection pressures according to Spencer?
What are the three functional needs or prerequisites that produce selection pressures according to Spencer?
According to the text, which philosopher proposed that society constitutes a separate 'level' of reality, distinct from both biological and inorganic matter?
According to the text, which philosopher proposed that society constitutes a separate 'level' of reality, distinct from both biological and inorganic matter?
According to the text, what does 'structural-functionalism' describe?
According to the text, what does 'structural-functionalism' describe?
According to the text, which contemporary theorist was influenced by Spencer's work?
According to the text, which contemporary theorist was influenced by Spencer's work?
According to the text, which theorist proposed that stateless, 'primitive' societies are based on an association of corporate-descent groups?
According to the text, which theorist proposed that stateless, 'primitive' societies are based on an association of corporate-descent groups?
According to the text, what is the function of social norms, customs, traditions, and institutions in functionalism?
According to the text, what is the function of social norms, customs, traditions, and institutions in functionalism?
According to the text, what does functionalism address in society?
According to the text, what does functionalism address in society?
According to Auguste Comte, what is the theological stage characterized by?
According to Auguste Comte, what is the theological stage characterized by?
Which theorist proposed that complex societies are held together by 'solidarity', which refers to social bonds based on specialization and interdependence?
Which theorist proposed that complex societies are held together by 'solidarity', which refers to social bonds based on specialization and interdependence?
According to functionalism, how are social and cultural phenomena primarily analyzed?
According to functionalism, how are social and cultural phenomena primarily analyzed?
According to Émile Durkheim, what holds pre-industrial societies together?
According to Émile Durkheim, what holds pre-industrial societies together?
What is the main concern of structural functionalism?
What is the main concern of structural functionalism?
Which theorist proposed that stateless, 'primitive' societies are based on an association of corporate-descent groups?
Which theorist proposed that stateless, 'primitive' societies are based on an association of corporate-descent groups?
According to functionalism, what is the network of statuses connected by associated roles called?
According to functionalism, what is the network of statuses connected by associated roles called?
What analogy does Spencer use to describe society?
What analogy does Spencer use to describe society?
Which scientific field has functionalism looked towards as a guide for conceptualizing social systems?
Which scientific field has functionalism looked towards as a guide for conceptualizing social systems?
According to functionalism, what is the macro-level orientation?
According to functionalism, what is the macro-level orientation?
According to the text, what did Herbert Spencer apply to society?
According to the text, what did Herbert Spencer apply to society?
According to the text, who is considered the most important functionalist among positivist theorists?
According to the text, who is considered the most important functionalist among positivist theorists?
According to the text, what is the evolutionary model proposed by Spencer?
According to the text, what is the evolutionary model proposed by Spencer?
According to the text, what are the three functional needs recognized by Spencer?
According to the text, what are the three functional needs recognized by Spencer?
According to the text, what is the dominant structure that satisfies the functional needs in tribal societies?
According to the text, what is the dominant structure that satisfies the functional needs in tribal societies?
According to the text, what does Spencer propose as the solution to societal problems?
According to the text, what does Spencer propose as the solution to societal problems?
According to the text, what is the main focus of Talcott Parsons' early work 'The Structure of Social Action'?
According to the text, what is the main focus of Talcott Parsons' early work 'The Structure of Social Action'?
According to the text, what is the term used by Spencer to refer to a social system?
According to the text, what is the term used by Spencer to refer to a social system?
According to the text, what is the term used by Spencer to refer to the stage of disintegration or dissolution in the evolutionary model?
According to the text, what is the term used by Spencer to refer to the stage of disintegration or dissolution in the evolutionary model?
According to the text, what is the term used by Spencer to refer to the selection pressures faced by society?
According to the text, what is the term used by Spencer to refer to the selection pressures faced by society?
According to the text, which sociological theory sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability?
According to the text, which sociological theory sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability?
According to the text, what is the main focus of structural functionalism?
According to the text, what is the main focus of structural functionalism?
According to the text, what analogy does Herbert Spencer use to describe the parts of society in functionalism?
According to the text, what analogy does Herbert Spencer use to describe the parts of society in functionalism?
According to the text, what does functionalism emphasize in terms of the social world and its individual parts?
According to the text, what does functionalism emphasize in terms of the social world and its individual parts?
According to Talcott Parsons, what does 'structural-functionalism' describe?
According to Talcott Parsons, what does 'structural-functionalism' describe?
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?
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?
According to the text, what is the main idea behind functionalism's approach to society?
According to the text, what is the main idea behind functionalism's approach to society?
According to the text, who is considered the first true sociological functionalist?
According to the text, who is considered the first true sociological functionalist?
According to the text, what is the function of social norms, customs, traditions, and institutions in functionalism?
According to the text, what is the function of social norms, customs, traditions, and institutions in functionalism?
According to the text, what does functionalism address in society?
According to the text, what does functionalism address in society?
According to Auguste Comte, what is the theological stage characterized by?
According to Auguste Comte, what is the theological stage characterized by?
What is the cyclical model of evolution proposed by Spencer?
What is the cyclical model of evolution proposed by Spencer?
According to the text, what does functionalism emphasize in terms of the social world and its individual parts?
According to the text, what does functionalism emphasize in terms of the social world and its individual parts?
Which scientific field has functionalism looked towards as a guide for conceptualizing social systems?
Which scientific field has functionalism looked towards as a guide for conceptualizing social systems?
According to the text, what is the pre-eminence of the social world over its individual parts called in functionalism?
According to the text, what is the pre-eminence of the social world over its individual parts called in functionalism?
What emerges in society as a solution to the problems that arise with increasing population?
What emerges in society as a solution to the problems that arise with increasing population?
Which theorist proposed that stateless, 'primitive' societies are based on an association of corporate-descent groups?
Which theorist proposed that stateless, 'primitive' societies are based on an association of corporate-descent groups?
According to the text, what is the central concern of structural functionalism?
According to the text, what is the central concern of structural functionalism?
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?
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?
What is the main idea behind functionalism's approach to society?
What is the main idea behind functionalism's approach to society?
Flashcards
Functionalism
Functionalism
A sociological theory that views society as a complex system where all parts work together to ensure solidarity and stability.
Social Evolution (Spencer)
Social Evolution (Spencer)
The idea that societies adapt to pressures through a process similar to natural selection in biology.
Social System (Spencer)
Social System (Spencer)
A 'super-organic' entity, a complex system of interconnected parts working together.
Functional Needs (Spencer)
Functional Needs (Spencer)
Signup and view all the flashcards
Mechanical Solidarity (Durkheim)
Mechanical Solidarity (Durkheim)
Signup and view all the flashcards
Talcott Parsons
Talcott Parsons
Signup and view all the flashcards
Auguste Comte
Auguste Comte
Signup and view all the flashcards
Structural Functionalism
Structural Functionalism
Signup and view all the flashcards
Organismic Analogy (Spencer)
Organismic Analogy (Spencer)
Signup and view all the flashcards
Cyclical Model of Evolution (Spencer)
Cyclical Model of Evolution (Spencer)
Signup and view all the flashcards
Adaptation and Selection (Spencer)
Adaptation and Selection (Spencer)
Signup and view all the flashcards
Herbert Spencer
Herbert Spencer
Signup and view all the flashcards
Sociology
Sociology
Signup and view all the flashcards
Social Evolution
Social Evolution
Signup and view all the flashcards
Social Structures
Social Structures
Signup and view all the flashcards
Society as a Separate Level
Society as a Separate Level
Signup and view all the flashcards
Mechanical Solidarity
Mechanical Solidarity
Signup and view all the flashcards
Selection Pressures
Selection Pressures
Signup and view all the flashcards
Social Adaptation
Social Adaptation
Signup and view all the flashcards
Social Complexity
Social Complexity
Signup and view all the flashcards
Macro-Level Orientation
Macro-Level Orientation
Signup and view all the flashcards
Social Norms
Social Norms
Signup and view all the flashcards
Social Institutions
Social Institutions
Signup and view all the flashcards
Cyclical Evolution
Cyclical Evolution
Signup and view all the flashcards
Micro-Level Orientation
Micro-Level Orientation
Signup and view all the flashcards
Social Influence
Social Influence
Signup and view all the flashcards
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.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
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.
