Theories Of Conflict Functionalism

Submitted By sanna78611
Words: 858
Pages: 4
Open Document
Structuralists have deterministic theories which see people living in society as to the way it’s structured and controlled. For example functionalism views society as socialising people into shared values and norms that will control the way that they will behave within society. As a whole functionalism is seen as being a consensus theory that believes everything that occurs within society is good. It’s based on an agreement between people regarding values and goals within society that we have. So the primary role of family is primary socialisation which teaches the children the norms and values that will help them throughout their life by institutions such as education and law. Furthermore these norms and values which are socialised within people can support them to climb up the social hierarchy. An example linked to this could be that children are socialised to conform from their family and education therefore they are able to conform the rules of society and learn what is socially acceptable within society. Education can allow children to learn the skills which can help within their future such as good communication skills and motivation.
Functionalism disagrees with conflict structuralism because functionalists argue that society is based on merit so the people that work the most are the ones who will be the best. Therefore they have a strong chance of getting the jobs which are well-paid and good as they have the capability and skills needed for the job. So for the people who do not have the right skills and capability to work within these jobs will continue to remain at the bottom of the hierarchy and work within the unskilled jobs.
Emile Durkheim is behind several of the ideas within functionalism but it was Parsons that made functionalism into a systematic theory of society. In addition functionalism is seen as a macro structural theory that emphasizes about the needs of the social system overall. Parsons says that the main question sociology asks is how is social order possible? He argues that this is achieved by a central value system, which gives a structure of what is socially acceptable. Parsons says that a value consensus is only possible if members of society follow these norms and values.
For Parsons model of the social system we can use a building block where at the bottom there individual actions. Furthermore every action that is performed by individuals is controlled by particular norms and values that is given from status roles such as teachers. Status roles can be given by institutions such as the family being an institution and some institutions which can be linked are categorized within sub-systems such as banks. So these sub-systems are formed in order to create the social system overall. Parsons also recognises how essential every institution is within society therefore he says that society is analogous to a biological organism that has needs and if not met, the organism will die. Therefore parts of the organism function in order to meet these needs, and parts of the social system such as institutions function in order to meet the needs of society.
Functional prerequisites are what Parsons names the four basic needs of society. The first need is called adaptation where the social systems meet material needs with the economic sub-system. The second need is goal attainment where society must set goals and
Show More

Related Documents: Theories Of Conflict Functionalism

The Importance Of Cross-Functional Teams

312). A cross-functional team requires the support of upper management and the objectives must be clear. Additionally, team members should each have a certain level of competence that is relevant to the team. Team members should be fair to one another. While communicating outside the team is essential, internal team communication is equally important. Honesty, respect, and trust are fundamental in cross-functional teams, even more than in departmental teams. Cross-functional teams are significantly…

Words 392 - Pages 2

Henslin's Three Theoretical Perspectives

Henslin introduces three theoretical perspectives in chapter one of the text, symbolic interactionism, functional analysis and conflict theory. Each of these perspectives has their own individual merit based on the focus of the analysis. Conflict theory studies the struggles that often arise throughout society. As groups within society become embattled in the tussle for resources and power, it is clear that conflict will arise. The exploitation of the proletariat by the bourgeoisie, is a resounding…

Words 276 - Pages 2

Sociological Perspective

Nafeesa Huskey Final Paper As described in the book sociological perspective is “ stresses the social contexts in which people live.” (Henslin, pg. 2) This paper is my intake on human behavior and its connection to society. Symbolic interaction deal with the person and how they view certain things in their own way.“ Symbols are things we attach meaning to and are the key to understanding how we view the world and communicate with one another.” (Henslin, pg. 13) Every time you began to look at someone…

Words 674 - Pages 3

The Roles Of Product Market In The New Product Development Product

------------------------------------------------- THE ROLE OF CREATIVITY, STABILITY, ANTICIPATE REGRET IN NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT: HOW CRITICAL IS STABILITY IN CROSS-FUNCTIONAL PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT TEAMS? Authors: Sethi, Anju1 sethia@clarkson.edu Sethi, Rajesh1 Source: AMA Summer Educators' Conference Proceedings; 2011, Vol. 22, p576-577, 2p Document Type: Article Subject Terms: *NEW products *MANUFACTURING processes *TEAMS in the workplace *PRODUCT management *DIRECT marketing NAICS/Industry…

Words 1109 - Pages 5

Functional Areas Of Business

Functional Areas of Business Glenda E. Ortega MGT/521 March 16, 2015 Prof. David Warren Functional Areas of Business Role of a Manager The best way we can define management is the practice to coordinate and overlook the work of others so that organizational goals can be accomplished. Managers make sure that business success in their effective and efficient use of employees to make the business their more important reason. Managers cover different ways to influence an employee so they can achieve…

Words 921 - Pages 4

Biomedical vs Social Essay

health and that a combination of models are required to further the ways to promote total wellbeing and provide a functional society. In this essay the focus will be on merely two aspects; the biomedical model and the Social model. These two models work in different views of health, biomedical working in a micro perspective focusing on the individual, and Social in a macro perspective looking at a larger social network. While the Bio Medical side defines health as the absence of illness the Social…

Words 1333 - Pages 6

Essay on Belch3e Ch02

Integrated Marketing Communication Perspective, 3e 2-1 Learning objectives 2.1 To review the concept of marketing, examining how both marketing and marketing communication have evolved. 2.2 To introduce and define the concept of integrated marketing communication (IMC). 2.3 To examine the reasons for the increasing importance of IMC. continued Copyright © 2014 McGraw-Hill Education (Australia) Pty Ltd Belch, Advertising: An Integrated Marketing Communication Perspective, 3e 2-2 Learning objectives…

Words 2672 - Pages 11

Personal Narrative: My First Football Game

In 2014, my football team was picked in the pre-season to be one of the front runners in our conference. We had a running back that was getting looks from Division I colleges. The first game of the year started off good and bad for the team with a victory and an injury. We were winning 31-6 in the fourth quarter. So I started playing my backup players. During the last play of the game, our third string running back was injured and later found out he fractured his foot. He was out for the season…

Words 493 - Pages 2

Functional And Cross Functional Areas Of Management Essay

Functional and Cross-Functional Areas of Management MGT/521 April 4, 2015 Functional and Cross-Functional Areas of Management Managerial part of the management process is addressing Henry Mintzberg’s theory, which explains what managers do at work through specific actions or behavioral norms in order to manage their resources. In order to have a better understanding the role of manager within the lower level of an organizational structure; then one should focus on the two management types…

Words 985 - Pages 4

Instrumental Cohesiveness In A Cross-Correctional Team

promoting a positive environment, managing task conflict, and promoting perspectives that are supported by logical and knowledge based arguments. In every cross-functional team leadership is crucial and it is important for the team to have trust in the management. A cross-functional team is comprised of many different people with diverse backgrounds that…

Words 656 - Pages 3