Karteikarten
Structural Functionalism: Parsons & Merton
Karten in diesem Stapel (21)
- 1What is structural functionalism?A theoretical & methodological perspective that aims to analyze social structure in terms how different social parts (norms, beliefs, social roles, & institutions) contribute to the functionality of the overall social system. Influenced by 19th-century positivist theories of the function role of social norms & behaviour in fostering social solidarity (Durkheim).
- 2How did structural functionalists use biological metaphors?To explain how the social system consists of different, interrelated levels like the biological organisms. To emphasize the ways that different social ‘organisms’ - a rural village society, a corporation, a classroom - consists of various unique parts, which, together, each play a role in contributing to the maintenance of the overarching system.
- 3What did mid 20th-century structural functionalists do?Parsons & Merton tried to synthesize work from action theorists (e.g. Weber) with functionalist analyses (e.g. Durkheim) in order to explore the relationship between social structure & social action.
- 4Who was Talcott Parsons (1902-1979)?Born in the US, studied in Europe & at heavily influenced by Weber’s work.
Appointed to a position in sociology at Harvard, where he was instrumental in helping to develop the recently established Sociology department.
1940 to early 1960s, most influential living US sociologist; later criticized for being overly conservative, both politically & theoretically. - 5What was Parsons objective?To establish a reconciliation between positivist (functionalist) theories of social life and organization, & hermeneutical (Weberian) (individually variable; action-oriented) theories of social life.
Hermeneutics – the study of the interpretation of texts & social actions in relationship to their social context. - 6How are other theorists not exclusively positivists or the other extreme?Durkheim emphasized the important of social structure, as well as cultural symbols such at totems & their influence on group solidarity. Weber stressed the import of both individual social motivation & social structures (rationalization & increased bureaucratization create the ‘iron cage’ of modernity).
- 7What did Parsons mean by voluntarism in social life?‘Self-interest’ based theories of human motivation cannot account for the “orderliness” of modern liberal societies. Other values, such as belief in the importance of family, can help to curb purely exploitative practices; social norms encourage orderly behaviour. Social norms are enforced through individual preferences or voluntarism -the ability of individuals to act on the basis of their own decisions, desires & choices.
- 8How did Parsons link voluntarism to capitalism?Parsons believed that capitalism is a largely meritocratic system, driven by individual choices; it is not (contra Marx) a wholly repressive or destructive force.
- 9What abstract levels of social organisation did Parsons identify?Physiological or Organic System (the basic biological features of human existence). Personality System (motivations, beliefs, wishes, goals, objectives). Social System (institutionalized ‘expectations’ of social roles & positions, from family roles, to occupations, to peer groups, etc). Cultural System (values & normative frameworks that make cultures distinctive).
- 10Which needs must be met In order for each subsystem to thrive?Adaption (cultivation / exploitation of nature to meet social needs through economic production). Goal attainment (legal sanctions, political protections). Integration (formal and informal social controls & norms). Latent pattern maintenance (commitment to the fulfilment of social ‘roles’ through socialisation).
- 11What are social roles?A ‘social role’ is the bridge between the individual & the rest of society as represented in the social & cultural system. By willfully conforming to ‘social roles’, individuals help to ensure the ‘needs’ of the social system (ensuring stability; meeting goals through economic production) are met.
- 12How are social roles reproduced & maintained?At an early stage, children are socialized through the inculcation of cultural norms & morals. As adults, there is little incentive to break from ‘role expectations’ – learned understandings of the behaviour that is permissible, in order to achieve social or individual goals. In other words, we have a strategic interest in fulfilling personal goals that accord with social ‘needs’.
- 13How does Parsons differ from conflict theorists?Parsons does not view the need to conform as repressive or negative (in contrast to Weber’s ‘iron cage’ of modernity; or Gramsci on the negative political implications of education systems that inculcate allegiance to hegemonic norms).
- 14How is Parsons theoretically conservative?A ‘conservative’ theory is one that is seen as inadequately accounting for social change or conflict. Parsons implies that individuals unthinkingly accept the social roles they are ‘born’ into. Parsons pays inadequate attention to the way that social roles often reflect entrenched patterns of social inequality, exclusion & repression.
- 15Who was Robert Merton (1910-2003)?A distinguished American sociologist & professor at Columbia University. Although heavily influenced by Parsons, his work helped to contest some of Parsons’ central assumptions.
- 16How did Merton differ from Parsons?Merton pointed out that individuals have many overlapping social roles; often, differing expectations of one’s competing social roles & duties produce conflict & personal strain. More so than Parsons, Merton was sensitive to how economic inequalities can reinforce personal & social conflict rather than promote social harmony.
- 17What is the difference between manifest & latent functions?Manifest functions - observable consequences that people expect to results from an action or activity (eating a family meal together ensures subsistence needs are met). Latent functions - unobservable or unintended consequences of social events (a family meal promotes bonding & familial love).
- 18How did Merton use the term anomie?To develop a particular version of strain theory: deviant behaviour can be a rational response to the gap between social expectations of how one should live – with a stable income, with economic security – & the inability to achieve security through legal means.
- 19How was Merton a functionalist thinker who was critical of functionalism?He criticizes earlier sociologists, including Durkheim, for assuming that religion plays an integrating role in society, increasing community harmony. Merton points out that most societies have multiple religions, which can lead to conflict in practice.
- 20What does the term 'self-fulfilling prophecy' mean that Merton coined?A prediction, or a description of an event, that directly or indirectly causes itself to become true, as a direct result of the prophecy itself, due to a positive feedback, looping effect between belief & behaviour. E.g. expectation of classroom performance can generate the very performance that is initially simply predicted.
- 21What did Merton mean by the Matthew effect?The power of ‘accumulated advantage’ - those who have power can leverage existing assets in order to accrue more power & wealth. Social structures that appear meritocratic are often not meritocratic in practice, because of forms of cultural prestige bound up with the ‘Matthew Effect.’ So, the rich get richer & the poor get poorer.
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- Continuity & Controversy in Sociological Analysis II Yr 2 Karteikarten am Structural Functionalism: Parsons & Merton, erstellt von Miss Rogers am 01/03/2019.
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