Sociological theories based on consensus are more useful in understanding contemporary society based on conflict. Discuss Functionalism was discredited in the 1970s even thought Merton's work

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Sociological theories based on consensus are more useful in understanding contemporary society based on conflict. Discuss

Functionalism was discredited in the 1970s even thought Merton's work is still popular in criminology. Functionalism became prominent in the 1950s USA, which was influenced by Durkheim, a nineteenth century social theorist. Functionalists examine how different parts of society relate together and how they influence each other and how they form a particular social structure. Functionalists argue that society has substitute social institutions such as the family, education and the media, which have particular functions that are interrelated. This is known as organic analogy. Functionalists see harmony and consensus as the norm in healthy societies and this expresses itself in social order. Functionalists argue that we cannot understand a "part" of society, unless we understand how they contribute to society as whole.

Parsons argue that human action is shaped by social pressures and personal interest. He suggested that within social constraint people act voluntarily. For order to prevail, Parsons argue that there needed to a level of agreement on norms, beliefs and values.

Parsons also claims that society is an organised system in which social institutions function to produce social cohesion. He argues that society must fulfil certain functions to ensure social stability. The first is adaptation, which refers to how well the social system adapts to our material environment such as shelter and creating energy. The next is goal attainment, which is the ability of the group to pursue common goals. This refers to society to having set goals which individuals seek to achieve. Education could be an example of this. Another functionalist thinker, Merton agues that the American dream which was the idea that anyone can go from being poor to rich, was the central goal in America in the 1950s. He argued that this was problematic as not everyone could have the resources and opportunities to achieve this. Merton claims that this is an example of where society is unable to fulfil this particular functional prerequisite.
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The third functional prerequisite Parsons argues is integration, which refers to dimensions of cohesion and shared aims that unite the group. An example of this could be adaptation or the family. Finally Parsons argued that societies need to provide pattern maintaninence, which is the need to maintain a pattern of values amongst members of society. An example of this could be religion. Crucial to this is socialisation which takes place within institutions such as the family. This idea is known as the equilibrium theory. Parsons claims that if a social institution fails to fulfil a function, it will ...

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