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Questions and Answers
Which of the following are considered basic needs for maintaining social order according to functionalists?
Which of the following are considered basic needs for maintaining social order according to functionalists?
- Clothing (correct)
- Food (correct)
- Entertainment
- Education
Murdock argues that the family provides six vital functions in society.
Murdock argues that the family provides six vital functions in society.
False (B)
What role does education play in relation to family and wider society?
What role does education play in relation to family and wider society?
Education connects family and the wider society, leading to secondary socialization.
Durkheim believes that crime and deviance are socially __________.
Durkheim believes that crime and deviance are socially __________.
Match the following functions provided by the family with their descriptions:
Match the following functions provided by the family with their descriptions:
What is the primary concern of functionalist sociologists?
What is the primary concern of functionalist sociologists?
Functionalism posits that all aspects of society are beneficial and contribute positively to the social system.
Functionalism posits that all aspects of society are beneficial and contribute positively to the social system.
What function do families serve in society according to functionalism?
What function do families serve in society according to functionalism?
According to functionalist theory, the _____ helps achieve social solidarity and shared norms and values.
According to functionalist theory, the _____ helps achieve social solidarity and shared norms and values.
Match the following concepts of functionalism with their descriptions:
Match the following concepts of functionalism with their descriptions:
What is a key characteristic that distinguishes human beings from lower animals according to Symbolic Interactionism?
What is a key characteristic that distinguishes human beings from lower animals according to Symbolic Interactionism?
According to Symbolic Interactionism, people cannot modify the meanings and symbols they use in interaction.
According to Symbolic Interactionism, people cannot modify the meanings and symbols they use in interaction.
How does human thought get shaped according to Symbolic Interactionism?
How does human thought get shaped according to Symbolic Interactionism?
The __________ patterns of action and interaction make up groups and societies.
The __________ patterns of action and interaction make up groups and societies.
Match the following aspects of Symbolic Interactionism with their descriptions:
Match the following aspects of Symbolic Interactionism with their descriptions:
What is the primary cause of alienation according to Marx?
What is the primary cause of alienation according to Marx?
Marx believes that individuals can easily free themselves from the curse of alienation.
Marx believes that individuals can easily free themselves from the curse of alienation.
What does the term 'alienation' signify in Marx's theory?
What does the term 'alienation' signify in Marx's theory?
The capitalist economy introduces a division of labor, leading to the alienation of man from his _____ and finally from _____ .
The capitalist economy introduces a division of labor, leading to the alienation of man from his _____ and finally from _____ .
Match the following concepts related to Marxism with their definitions:
Match the following concepts related to Marxism with their definitions:
What is the main focus of Marxism?
What is the main focus of Marxism?
Marxism believes that capitalism and communism can coexist peacefully.
Marxism believes that capitalism and communism can coexist peacefully.
What is the contradiction that Marxism identifies in human nature?
What is the contradiction that Marxism identifies in human nature?
The concept of __________ refers to the profit difference between what goods are sold for and what they actually cost to make, according to Marxism.
The concept of __________ refers to the profit difference between what goods are sold for and what they actually cost to make, according to Marxism.
Match the following terms with their descriptions:
Match the following terms with their descriptions:
According to Marxism, what role does education play in society?
According to Marxism, what role does education play in society?
Marxism suggests that classes will eventually disappear.
Marxism suggests that classes will eventually disappear.
How does Marxism view capitalism's impact on the working class?
How does Marxism view capitalism's impact on the working class?
Which of the following is NOT one of the basic needs functionalists believe individuals require to exist?
Which of the following is NOT one of the basic needs functionalists believe individuals require to exist?
According to Durkheim, education is solely focused on individual achievements and does not contribute to social solidarity.
According to Durkheim, education is solely focused on individual achievements and does not contribute to social solidarity.
What four vital functions does George Peter Murdock attribute to the family?
What four vital functions does George Peter Murdock attribute to the family?
The family stabilizes adult __________.
The family stabilizes adult __________.
Match the following aspects of functionalism with their respective descriptions:
Match the following aspects of functionalism with their respective descriptions:
What does Parsons believe about education?
What does Parsons believe about education?
According to Durkheim, crime and deviance are natural occurrences that do not relate to societal factors.
According to Durkheim, crime and deviance are natural occurrences that do not relate to societal factors.
According to functionalism, what is one role of the media in society?
According to functionalism, what is one role of the media in society?
What are social sciences primarily focused on?
What are social sciences primarily focused on?
The disciplines of social sciences are irrelevant to understanding society.
The disciplines of social sciences are irrelevant to understanding society.
What is meant by the term 'social science'?
What is meant by the term 'social science'?
Theoretical foundations and ideological thrusts influence social sciences, affecting various __________.
Theoretical foundations and ideological thrusts influence social sciences, affecting various __________.
Match the following terms with their descriptions:
Match the following terms with their descriptions:
What term describes signs that are associated with some other thing or event and learned through experience?
What term describes signs that are associated with some other thing or event and learned through experience?
Intangible objects can be seen and touched.
Intangible objects can be seen and touched.
What is the final stage of an act when the original adjustment is restored?
What is the final stage of an act when the original adjustment is restored?
A symbol is a gesture that has the same meaning and solicits the same __________ between the user and the receiver.
A symbol is a gesture that has the same meaning and solicits the same __________ between the user and the receiver.
Match the following types of objects with their characteristics:
Match the following types of objects with their characteristics:
What do Marxists believe is a key part in controlling the Proletariat?
What do Marxists believe is a key part in controlling the Proletariat?
Neo-Marxism asserts that economic power does not lead to political power.
Neo-Marxism asserts that economic power does not lead to political power.
Define deviance according to Marxist beliefs.
Define deviance according to Marxist beliefs.
According to the symbolic interaction perspective, people act according to their interpretation of the __________ of their world.
According to the symbolic interaction perspective, people act according to their interpretation of the __________ of their world.
Match the following theories with their main concept:
Match the following theories with their main concept:
What is the main building block of analysis for symbolic interactionists?
What is the main building block of analysis for symbolic interactionists?
Symbolic interactionism is solely based on the work of Max Weber.
Symbolic interactionism is solely based on the work of Max Weber.
What do Neo-Marxists believe about social institutions?
What do Neo-Marxists believe about social institutions?
What term describes the effects of an institution that detract from the conservation of society according to R. Merton?
What term describes the effects of an institution that detract from the conservation of society according to R. Merton?
Functionalist sociologists believe that shared values and beliefs are essential for achieving social order.
Functionalist sociologists believe that shared values and beliefs are essential for achieving social order.
Which institution is considered to ensure the continuity of society by reproducing and socializing new members?
Which institution is considered to ensure the continuity of society by reproducing and socializing new members?
According to functionalism, religion contributes to social __________ and shared norms and values.
According to functionalism, religion contributes to social __________ and shared norms and values.
Match the following concepts of functionalism with their descriptions:
Match the following concepts of functionalism with their descriptions:
Which functionalist sociologist is known for the concept of dysfunction?
Which functionalist sociologist is known for the concept of dysfunction?
The concept of moral glue refers to religion's success in binding society together.
The concept of moral glue refers to religion's success in binding society together.
What is the role of family in relation to societal continuity according to functionalist theory?
What is the role of family in relation to societal continuity according to functionalist theory?
Functionalism views society as a structure with __________ parts designed to meet individual needs.
Functionalism views society as a structure with __________ parts designed to meet individual needs.
What do functionalists believe is necessary for cooperation and to avoid conflict in society?
What do functionalists believe is necessary for cooperation and to avoid conflict in society?
Study Notes
Functionalism
Social Order
- Four essential needs for societal maintenance: food, shelter, money, clothing.
- These needs are vital for sustaining social order.
Education
- Durkheim argues education transmits societal norms and values, fostering social unity.
- Parsons (1961) emphasizes education's role in promoting universalistic values and linking family to society.
- Education prepares individuals for future societal roles and instills values of achievement and equality of opportunity.
- Schools help in matching individuals with suitable jobs.
Family
- George Peter Murdock identifies four vital functions of the family: sexual, reproductive, economic, and educational.
- Family serves as a primary socialization agent, providing norms and values to children.
- It stabilizes adult personalities and offers emotional security to members.
Media
- Media reflects audience interests and portrays public opinion.
- It acknowledges and represents the diversity of cultures within society.
Crime and Deviance
- Durkheim posits that crime and deviance are socially constructed concepts stemming from society itself.
- These categories are not inherent, but rather created and defined by human societies.
Concepts of Structural-Functionalism
- Structural-Functionalism views society as composed of interrelated parts that serve biological and social needs.
- R. Merton introduces the idea of dysfunction, referring to institutional effects that may hinder societal conservation.
- The family and religion are critical institutions that maintain continuity and social solidarity, respectively.
Collective Conscience and Value Consensus
- Collective conscience is essential for social order and societal well-being, ensuring members share values and goals.
- Value consensus facilitates identity similarity, cooperation, and conflict avoidance.
Symbolic Interactionism
- Focuses on the significance of symbols and meanings developed through social interactions.
- Traces its roots to thinkers like Max Weber and further expanded by Charles Horton Cooley and George Herbert Mead.
- Highlights how individuals interpret their world, allowing for unique human actions and interactions.
Marxism
- A social, political, and economic philosophy analyzing capitalism's impact on labor and advocating for worker revolution toward communism.
- Class struggle between bourgeoisie (capitalists) and proletariat (workers) is fundamental to understanding economic relations and social systems.
Key Concepts of Marxism
- Capitalism thrives on exploiting the working class, creating a divide between social classes.
- Alienation in labor signifies the disconnection workers feel from their work and production process, viewed as a major issue needing resolution.
- Class polarization describes the historical tightening of class structure, leading to the absorption of classes into either the bourgeoisie or proletariat.
Neo-Marxism
- Emerges from Marxist ideas, emphasizing that economic power equates to political power.
- Suggests social institutions, like schools and media, uphold the divide between the powerful and powerless.
Principles of Structural-Functionalism
- Societies should be analyzed as holistic interrelated systems, with emphasis on equilibrium and reciprocal causation.
- Focus is on social interactions rather than historical narratives.
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Description
Explore the key concepts of Functionalism in Sociology, focusing on its impact on social order, education, family, and media. Understand how these components work together to maintain societal stability and promote shared values. This quiz will help you grasp the essential functions that contribute to a cohesive society.
