INTRODUCING SOCIAL THEORY – FUNCTIONALISM

Symbolic interactionism Sociology Structural Theory Action Theory (Interpretivism) Consensus Conflict Symbolic interactionism Functionalism Marxism Feminism Theory can be said to be like looking at society through different lenses – each give it a different perspective or appearance. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v48kAslT-cY&feature=fvsr

STRUCTURAL THEORY

Structural Approaches: * Are sometimes called social systems or structuralist approaches. * emphasise the power of society over the individual. * Believe the individual is largely controlled by society. * Think that society is in us, moulding our thoughts and directing our actions. * Argue that we are socialised in terms of the culture of society, * Say that our behaviour is shaped by the social structure, we are kept in line by mechanisms of social control, we learn roles, norms and values and act accordingly.

CONSENSUS THEORY Agreement (also know as CONSENSUS) on what is right and wrong, is the basis of social life. Without CONSENSUS, society would collapse into chaos where no one would be able to agree on how people should conduct themselves. CONSENSUS and having shared values enables us to co-operate with each other and this provides unity. Having CONSENSUS provides harmony. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuSWvH9w3Vw&feature=related

FUNCTIONALISM

Society is a social system based on VALUE CONSENSUS (shared values). Society has basic needs that must be met to survive. The need for social order & harmony is a big one. For that to happen we need the VALUE CONSENSUS (shared values). To get that into our heads, we need to be SOCIALISED into that culture’s particular norms and values.

Norms e.g. marriage, making a fuss of cheaters. e.g. monogamy. Values

Organic Analogy Exercise – representing the Functionalist view of society through the human body.

Auguste Comte had FUNCTIONALIST ideas. He thought you could understand how society FUNCTIONS by comparing it with the FUNCTIONING of the human body.

Comte thought there were similarities between how all the organs in the body had specific individual FUNCTIONS but worked together to maintain health and life. What are the FUNCTIONS of the following organs? The brain? The lungs? The olfactory senses? The spine? The intestines?

What might these organs represent in British society? Religion Family Economy Legal system Education The FUNCTIONALIST idea is that if all the systems (organs) in society are FUNCTIONING in harmony it will remain healthy. Health system

What do you think is a consequence for society, on the failure of these institutions – why do we need them and what are we missing when they aren’t working properly? Religion Family Economy Legal system Education But if one or other of these vital institutions starts to malfunction, then society becomes dysfunctional. Health system If you’re struggling, think about this in terms of having a vitamin deficiency. For instance, not having enough vitamin C makes your gums bleed and your skin start to disintegrate.

So: this is your job today – You are going to create a large, visual representation of society, according to Comte’s Functionalist perspective. 1. You will be divided up into 9 groups and you will have responsibility for the following areas: The brain The voice box The lungs The heart The liver The kidneys The intestines The bladder The body itself - this group will be responsible for drawing round one of you, to create the body display. All of you will then add your contributions to this. This group will co-ordinate everyone donating their organs…

2. In your group work on the following: Draw the organ you’ve been allocated – ensure it’s in proportion with the size of the body that’s been drawn around. Label it with a) the FUNCTION in the human body and b) with the metaphorical FUNCTION you think it performs in society. Then – think critically about what would happen to society if this FUNCTION was removed or began to malfunction (break-down).

Tools for the job… Groups 1-8 will need white A4 paper, felt tip pens, scissors & glue. Group 9 will need white A4 paper, felt tip pens, scissors, glue, sellotape & a roll of paper to make the life-sized display with.