Assess the usefulness of functionalist approaches in explaining crime. (21 marks) In this essay one will assess the view of functionalists and how they approach their view of the causes of crime. Functionalisms over all view is to try understand how society shapes us by using a positivist view. Crime is defined as an action which constitutes an offence and is punishable by law. One will assess each functionalist and their theories looking at how
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as stratification. Functionalists have a consensus view of society. They believe that people in society work together for the common good of all, this is known as the organic analogy. All societies are unequal. Functionalists believe stratification is good for society. They would say that the best people get the best jobs because they are more talented and work harder. Poor people are poor because they do not work hard enough for the best positions. They are many functionalist sociologist who have
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Assess the of Functionalist theories in understanding religion today Functionalists have put forward their perspective on religion and how it benefits both society and the individual starting with how religion brings people together harmoniously, creating social cohesion and a sense of belonging as people believe in the same thing and all abide by the same rules. Religion creates and maintains a value consensus whilst giving society social order. By confirming to religious beliefs this allows us
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Assess functionalist views on the nature and role of religion. (18m) Functionalism is a modern structualist theory based on consensus and shared norms + values, and they put forward the human body analogy to explain how society works as the human body analogy views institutions such as school and work as organs of the body and if one should fail the whole body representing society will be affected as a state of anomie would occur and so society would breakdown due to a state of normlessness but
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Assess the strengths and weaknesses of the functionalist approach to society (33 marks) Functionalism is seen as a macro-scale approach to society it sees society as a system of interrelated parts or social institutions such as religion, the family and the economy. Therefore functionalism sees society as the human body or organic analogy meaning society is like an organism with basic needs that it must meet in order to survive. This is particularly useful when observing society in order to understand
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contribution of functionalism to our understanding of families and households. (29 marks) Functionalists believe that society is based on a value consensus into which society socialises its members. This enables them to cooperate harmoniously to meet society’s needs and achieve shared goals. However, other sociologists argue that contemporary society is not harmonious but is ridden with conflicts. Functionalists regard society as a system made up of different sub-systems that depend on each other,
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Asses the contribution of functionalist sociologists to our understanding of the family. A function is a purpose and explains how this institution contributes to the maintenance and smooth running of society this approach to society is called functionalism. From a functionalists point of view a family is a heterosexual couple with dependent children, male is the breadwinner and woman is the housewife. Functionalists believe that the nuclear family supports society because it is geographically
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Functionalists see the family as an immensely important sub-system of society. Murdock acclaimed that one of the four essential functions that the family performs in order to meet the needs of society and its members is to 'stabilise satisfaction of the sex drive with the same partner'. As this prevents the ‘social disruption’ caused by promiscuity. However, Marxists would argue that this role serves more as an economic function, as it allows property ownership and wealth to be directly passed onto
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Using material from item 2b and elsewhere, assess the contribution of functionalist sociologists to our understanding of the family Functionalists believe that everyone has a role to play in society in order for it to work effectively. Not only does the family have practical uses like reproduction and primary socialisation, but also things that personally benefit each member of family like economic provision. Each individual has a different belief on the importance of family and how it impacts our
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the contribution of functionalist sociologist to our understanding of the family Functionalists believe that society is based on a value consensus into which society socialises its members, which enables to cooperate harmoniously and meet society’s needs and goals. Functionalist’s sees that society is made up of a range of different sub-systems which depend on each other, and that society needs these functions or order for survival and is vital towards society. Functionalists see the family as a
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