Assess the strengths and weaknesses of the functionalist approach to society

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Assess the strength and weaknesses of the functionalist approach to society. (33 marks)

Functionalism sees society as a whole rather that in parts as it has a macro-scale approach to society. This means that they see society as an organic analogy which means they see all institutions working together as organs do in a body. The organic analogy also shows that it is used to sustain the body and society as a whole.

As functionalism is macro-scale, it could miss crucial groups and factors that are small such as tribes and gypsies. The un-acknowledgment of these groups could leave sociologists lacking important information about the functions of society which may be seen as a weakness. Functionalism is a consensus theory where everyone sees society as fair and just with everyone sharing the same norms and values, but this means they fail to acknowledge inequalities. Other approaches such as Marxism etc acknowledge the inequalities and this makes functionalism seen as less reliable making this another weakness of the functionalist approach to society.  

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Parsons, who elaborated on Durkheim’s work, compared the workings of organs in a body and how they maintain life, to institutions in society such as the family and education which shows how society is maintained. He also commented on the system needs the two have such as nutrition and socialisation. His analogy helps sociologists understand how to maintain society in a healthy way, which is seen as a strength of the functionalists approach.

Parsons also identified four needs of society. He claimed society needs adaptation to meet the material needs of society. He also claimed that society needs goal ...

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