10 Questions
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?
They view societies as operating on the principles of consensus and cooperation.
According to Comte, how do societies experience changes?
Through the introduction of new ideas.
How did Spencer propose that change is best dealt with?
Through an organism's ability to adapt to new situations.
According to Parsons, how should change be managed?
Through a combination of adaptation and integration.
Why is functionalism criticized for failing to explain social change?
It does not account for rapid social change and ignores the likelihood of coercion and conflict.
What does functionalism assume about human action?
It assumes human action is too deterministic and totally dependent on societal systems.
How do functionalists perceive the process of change in society?
They see it as a gradual and evolutionary process.
What is one of the weaknesses associated with functionalism?
It fails to satisfactorily explain social change.
What does functionalism's oversocialized view of humanity imply?
It implies that once socialized into a society's culture, individuals will behave the same way all the time.
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.
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.
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