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Questions and Answers
What do functionalists underemphasise according to the text?
What do functionalists underemphasise according to the text?
They underemphasise the issues of conflict, disagreement, and dysfunction.
How do functionalists view the operation of societies?
How do functionalists view the operation of societies?
They view societies as operating on the principles of consensus and cooperation.
According to Comte, how do societies experience changes?
According to Comte, how do societies experience changes?
Through the introduction of new ideas.
How did Spencer propose that change is best dealt with?
How did Spencer propose that change is best dealt with?
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According to Parsons, how should change be managed?
According to Parsons, how should change be managed?
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Why is functionalism criticized for failing to explain social change?
Why is functionalism criticized for failing to explain social change?
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What does functionalism assume about human action?
What does functionalism assume about human action?
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How do functionalists perceive the process of change in society?
How do functionalists perceive the process of change in society?
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What is one of the weaknesses associated with functionalism?
What is one of the weaknesses associated with functionalism?
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What does functionalism's oversocialized view of humanity imply?
What does functionalism's oversocialized view of humanity imply?
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Study Notes
Functionalism and Social Change
- Functionalists underestimate the role of conflict, disagreement, and dysfunction in society, instead emphasizing consensus and cooperation.
- Functionalists believe societies make adjustments to accommodate new developments, maintaining equilibrium through gradual changes.
Comte, Spencer, and Parsons on Social Change
- Auguste Comte believed societies experience change through the introduction of new ideas.
- Herbert Spencer argued that change is best dealt with through an organism's ability to adapt to new situations.
- Talcott Parsons believed change is best dealt with through a combination of adaptation and integration.
- All three theorists agree that change in society is a gradual and evolutionary process.
Weaknesses of Functionalism
- Functionalism fails to adequately explain social change, neglecting rapid change and the role of coercion and conflict.
- Functionalism presents an oversocialized view of humanity, assuming people behave uniformly after being socialized into a society's culture.
- Functionalism implies human action is overly deterministic, dependent on societal systems.
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Description
Explore the functionalists' perspective on social change and how they focus on consensus, cooperation, and societal adjustments to maintain equilibrium. Learn about the underemphasized issues of conflict, disagreement, and dysfunction in societies.
