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Questions and Answers
Who is considered the first true sociological functionalist?
Who is considered the first true sociological functionalist?
Who is widely considered the most important functionalist among positivist theorists?
Who is widely considered the most important functionalist among positivist theorists?
Which work of Herbert Spencer heavily influenced Emile Durkheim's analysis?
Which work of Herbert Spencer heavily influenced Emile Durkheim's analysis?
Which term did Herbert Spencer use to refer to a social system?
Which term did Herbert Spencer use to refer to a social system?
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According to Herbert Spencer, what causes society to adapt its internal structure?
According to Herbert Spencer, what causes society to adapt its internal structure?
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What are the three functional needs or prerequisites identified by Herbert Spencer?
What are the three functional needs or prerequisites identified by Herbert Spencer?
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In tribal societies, which structure satisfies the three functional needs?
In tribal societies, which structure satisfies the three functional needs?
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According to Herbert Spencer, what emerges as a solution to problems in society with increasing population?
According to Herbert Spencer, what emerges as a solution to problems in society with increasing population?
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What do the structural parts of society do to help society function?
What do the structural parts of society do to help society function?
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What is the main focus of functionalism?
What is the main focus of functionalism?
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According to Auguste Comte, sociology is the product of a three-stage development. Which of the following is the correct order of these stages?
According to Auguste Comte, sociology is the product of a three-stage development. Which of the following is the correct order of these stages?
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According to Émile Durkheim, what holds complex societies together?
According to Émile Durkheim, what holds complex societies together?
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What is the central concern of structural functionalism?
What is the central concern of structural functionalism?
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Which theorist proposed that most stateless societies are based on an association of corporate-descent groups?
Which theorist proposed that most stateless societies are based on an association of corporate-descent groups?
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According to structural functionalism, how are social and cultural phenomena primarily analyzed?
According to structural functionalism, how are social and cultural phenomena primarily analyzed?
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Which political philosophers presented organic analogies for societies that influenced functionalism?
Which political philosophers presented organic analogies for societies that influenced functionalism?
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What does Durkheim refer to as 'social bonds, based on common sentiments and shared moral values, that are strong among members of pre-industrial societies'?
What does Durkheim refer to as 'social bonds, based on common sentiments and shared moral values, that are strong among members of pre-industrial societies'?
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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?
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Which theorist proposed that the basic building block of society is the nuclear family?
Which theorist proposed that the basic building block of society is the nuclear family?
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What does functionalism emphasize in contrast to conflict theories?
What does functionalism emphasize in contrast to conflict theories?
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According to functionalism, society is seen as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability. This approach looks at society through a macro-level orientation and believes that society has evolved like organisms. Which of the following is NOT a key focus of functionalism?
According to functionalism, society is seen as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability. This approach looks at society through a macro-level orientation and believes that society has evolved like organisms. Which of the following is NOT a key focus of functionalism?
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According to functionalism, society can be compared to a 'body' with different 'organs' working together for the proper functioning of the whole. Who popularized this analogy?
According to functionalism, society can be compared to a 'body' with different 'organs' working together for the proper functioning of the whole. Who popularized this analogy?
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Which of the following best describes the relationship between functionalism and social science?
Which of the following best describes the relationship between functionalism and social science?
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According to functionalism, which field of science provides the closest and most compatible model for social science?
According to functionalism, which field of science provides the closest and most compatible model for social science?
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Functionalism emphasizes the importance of social structures in shaping society as a whole. Which of the following is a key component of social structures according to functionalism?
Functionalism emphasizes the importance of social structures in shaping society as a whole. Which of the following is a key component of social structures according to functionalism?
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According to functionalism, what is the main focus of analyzing social and cultural phenomena?
According to functionalism, what is the main focus of analyzing social and cultural phenomena?
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Which of the following is NOT a key characteristic of functionalist thought?
Which of the following is NOT a key characteristic of functionalist thought?
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According to functionalism, what holds complex societies together?
According to functionalism, what holds complex societies together?
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Which of the following is NOT one of the three functional needs or prerequisites identified by Herbert Spencer?
Which of the following is NOT one of the three functional needs or prerequisites identified by Herbert Spencer?
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According to functionalism, what is the central concern of studying social systems?
According to functionalism, what is the central concern of studying social systems?
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Study Notes
Functionalism and Sociological Theory
- Herbert Spencer is considered the first true sociological functionalist.
- Auguste Comte is widely considered the most important functionalist among positivist theorists.
- Herbert Spencer's work "Social Statics" heavily influenced Emile Durkheim's analysis.
Herbert Spencer's Functionalism
- Spencer used the term "social system" to refer to a society.
- According to Spencer, society adapts its internal structure in response to changes in the environment.
- Spencer identified three functional needs or prerequisites: integration, regulation, and distribution.
- In tribal societies, the kinship structure satisfies the three functional needs.
- As population increases, social structures emerge as a solution to problems in society.
Functionalism and Society
- The structural parts of society work together to help society function.
- Functionalism focuses on the social structures that shape society as a whole.
- The main concern of functionalism is understanding how social systems work together to promote solidarity and stability.
Other Theorists and Functionalism
- Auguste Comte believed that sociology is the product of a three-stage development: theological, metaphysical, and scientific.
- Emile Durkheim argued that social bonds, based on common sentiments and shared moral values, hold complex societies together.
- According to Durkheim, these social bonds are strong among members of pre-industrial societies.
- Durkheim referred to these social bonds as "mechanical solidarity".
Structural Functionalism
- Structural functionalism analyzes social and cultural phenomena primarily through a macro-level orientation.
- This approach looks at society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability.
- The central concern of structural functionalism is understanding how social systems work together to promote solidarity and stability.
- The nuclear family is proposed as the basic building block of society by some theorists.
- Functionalism emphasizes the importance of social structures in shaping society as a whole, in contrast to conflict theories.
Key Components and Analogies
- The network of statuses connected by associated roles is called a "status-role system".
- Functionalism compares society to a 'body' with different 'organs' working together for the proper functioning of the whole.
- This analogy was popularized by Herbert Spencer.
- The field of biology provides the closest and most compatible model for social science, according to functionalism.
- Social structures, such as kinship, are key components of social structures according to functionalism.
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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.
