Functionalism: Similarities between Society and an Organism
Functionalism has given a useful understanding of society, despite its limitations. Functionalists describe society using an organic analogy; they say society is like a biological organism. Parsons found three similarities between society and an organism. System organisms such as the human body and society are both self-regulating and inter-related, independent parts fit together in fixed ways. In the body these are organs; in society they are institutions, such as family and education. Both organisms have system needs for example an organism needs nutrition without which it would die. Social systems have basic needs for example members of society need to be socialised. Both society and organisms function to contribute to meeting the systems needs and thus ensure survival. For example the circulatory systems delivers oxygen to cells, similarly the economy in society helps meet the needs for food and shelter.
Parsons argues the central question sociology tries to answer is how is social order possible? Parsons argues social order is achieved through the existence of a shared value system. A culture is a set of norms, values, beliefs and goals shared by members of society. It provides a framework enabling individuals to cooperate by laying down rules about how to behave and what others expect of them, defining goals they should pursue and so on. Social order is only possible so long as members of society agree on these norms and values. This agreement is called value consensus. Value consensus is the glue that holds society together.
Thus the basic function of value consensus is to make social order possible. It does this by integrating individuals into the social system thus directing them too meet the systems needs. Parsons argues the system has two mechanisms to ensure individuals conform to shared norms and meet the systems needs. One of the mechanisms is socialisation; the social system can ensure its needs are met by teaching individuals to want to do what
Parsons argues the central question sociology tries to answer is how is social order possible? Parsons argues social order is achieved through the existence of a shared value system. A culture is a set of norms, values, beliefs and goals shared by members of society. It provides a framework enabling individuals to cooperate by laying down rules about how to behave and what others expect of them, defining goals they should pursue and so on. Social order is only possible so long as members of society agree on these norms and values. This agreement is called value consensus. Value consensus is the glue that holds society together.
Thus the basic function of value consensus is to make social order possible. It does this by integrating individuals into the social system thus directing them too meet the systems needs. Parsons argues the system has two mechanisms to ensure individuals conform to shared norms and meet the systems needs. One of the mechanisms is socialisation; the social system can ensure its needs are met by teaching individuals to want to do what