Parsons argued that societies require certain features in order to survive. One of these is pattern maintenance passing on of societies, norms, values and cultures to the next generation. They are passed initially by the family(primary socialisation). Within the family, children are treated as individuals and learned common goals, appropriate values and gender roles.
A Functionalist might view the Prohibition Era as an attempt to promote social order by reducing alcohol-related crime and improving public health. A Conflict Theorist might see it as a tool of social control by powerful groups to restrict the behavior of marginalized communities. An Interactionist might focus on how prohibition influenced social interactions, such as speakeasies providing spaces for people to socialize outside the law.
The functionalist perspective in sociology would likely contend that the role of the mass media is to provide socialization, enforce social norms, and create social stability and cohesion through public events. From this viewpoint, the mass media helps maintain social order by transmitting values and norms to society and promoting social integration and solidarity.
Functionalist perspective tends to have the most optimistic view of society. This perspective sees society as a stable system that functions well when each part of the system is in balance and working together. Functionalist believe that societies can achieve harmony and that social order is possible through cooperation and shared values.
A functionalist view is based on assumptions of order and objectivity. The functionalist view sees the world (client, illness, program, etc.) as a system and that all systems gravitate towards to stability. If the functionalist were a psychiatric case manager, they would view the client as unstable and the goal would be to achieve stability. Depending on where the client was within their psychosis, stability could mean several things, however the functionalist view always has a goal in mind. Functionalists use their skills and knowledge to benefit society and believe they exist to fulfill a need. Functionalists highly regard the science within their professions and with a strong affinity for goal attainment and the deep belief to fill a need, functionalists can experience frustration when their clients' goals are not attained.
Functionalists view social welfare as a system that provides support for individuals in society, ensuring social stability and cohesion. They see it as a mechanism to address social inequalities and maintain the overall functioning of society by meeting the needs of its members.
A Functionalist might view the Prohibition Era as an attempt to promote social order by reducing alcohol-related crime and improving public health. A Conflict Theorist might see it as a tool of social control by powerful groups to restrict the behavior of marginalized communities. An Interactionist might focus on how prohibition influenced social interactions, such as speakeasies providing spaces for people to socialize outside the law.
The functionalist perspective in sociology would likely contend that the role of the mass media is to provide socialization, enforce social norms, and create social stability and cohesion through public events. From this viewpoint, the mass media helps maintain social order by transmitting values and norms to society and promoting social integration and solidarity.
Functionalist perspective tends to have the most optimistic view of society. This perspective sees society as a stable system that functions well when each part of the system is in balance and working together. Functionalist believe that societies can achieve harmony and that social order is possible through cooperation and shared values.
Functionalists view social welfare as a system that provides support for individuals in society, ensuring social stability and cohesion. They see it as a mechanism to address social inequalities and maintain the overall functioning of society by meeting the needs of its members.
A functionalist view is based on assumptions of order and objectivity. The functionalist view sees the world (client, illness, program, etc.) as a system and that all systems gravitate towards to stability. If the functionalist were a psychiatric case manager, they would view the client as unstable and the goal would be to achieve stability. Depending on where the client was within their psychosis, stability could mean several things, however the functionalist view always has a goal in mind. Functionalists use their skills and knowledge to benefit society and believe they exist to fulfill a need. Functionalists highly regard the science within their professions and with a strong affinity for goal attainment and the deep belief to fill a need, functionalists can experience frustration when their clients' goals are not attained.
The functionalist perspective would view society as a living organism in which each part contributes to its survival and stability. This perspective emphasizes the interdependence of social institutions in maintaining social order and equilibrium.
Functionalists view poverty as serving a function in society by creating motivation for individuals to work hard and strive for success. They argue that poverty can also help maintain social order by reinforcing the importance of education, individual responsibility, and social mobility. However, critics argue that this perspective overlooks the structural factors that contribute to poverty and ignores the negative impact it has on individuals and communities.
The functionalist perspective on family focuses on the ways in which the family contributes to the smooth functioning of society. It emphasizes the roles and functions that family members play in maintaining social order and stability. Functionalists view the family as a key institution that serves important functions, such as socializing children and providing emotional support.
A structural functionalist believes that society is made up of interconnected social institutions that work together to maintain stability and order. They focus on how these institutions function to meet the needs of the society as a whole.
The three basic elements of the functionalist perspective in sociology are: the emphasis on the interconnectedness and interdependence of societal institutions, the belief that society tends toward equilibrium and stability, and the focus on the functions that social institutions serve in maintaining social order and cohesion.
Functionalists view stratification as necessary for maintaining social order and stability, with each social position serving a specific function in society. Conflict theorists, on the other hand, see stratification as resulting from competition and inequality among different social groups, with the dominant group using their power to maintain control and suppress the lower classes.
Limitations: Functionalism may oversimplify society by focusing too much on stability and order, overlooking conflicts and inequalities. It also fails to account for rapid social change and the impact of individual agency. Strengths: The functionalist model provides a comprehensive understanding of society by highlighting the interdependence of social institutions and their roles in maintaining social cohesion. It emphasizes the functions and contributions of each part of society, helping to explain social stability and order.