JUSTIN KRAUSE
64317393
Assignment 2 for SED 2601
Unique number: 807778
, Question 1
a) i) Social order- this is a system that includes linked institutions that create and
protect social patterns. Examples of these institutions is schools. To maintain
your social order, functionalists believe that you need to have four items.
These items are food, shelter, clothing and money. For example, your social
order will improve if you can gain a better type of shelter or your income
increases.
ii) The interdependence of different parts of society- different parts of society
are constructed in a way that fills the various needs of people. Each institution
has its own consequences on society, and it all depends on its size and the
state society is currently in. For example, the schools in a society influence
the amount of people who will go to tertiary education one day. These
institutions are all linked together which means that the economy and schools
work together. For example, if more doctors are needed, schools should focus
on pushing students into the medical field.
iii) Manifest functions- these functions are purposeful and done intentionally.
For example, when a rain dance is performed, it is for the desire for rain to
fall. This is done in front of the community and everyone can learn from it.
iv) latent functions- these are not purposeful and they are imperceptible. For
example, schools act as a care giving service while their parents are at work.
Another example would be that students can meet their lifetime partners while
at school. Schools also teach punctuality as they need to be at school at
certain times in the morning which will help them one day when they get a job.
b) Positive elements of the functionalism theory is that people from all different
backgrounds are brought together to create social solidarity. Secondly,
functionalism allows people to have shared beliefs which allows them to work
together and avoid conflicts. Negative elements of the functionalism theory
are that modern societies are highly focused on class, gender, affluence, and
ethnicity. This means that people who come from backgrounds that are poorer
cannot compete on an equal playground with the more advantaged group.
Lastly, most societies are multicultural, and it is very difficult to create a single
set of values that will be taught to all these different children. This means that
some cultural groups can become marginalised.
64317393
Assignment 2 for SED 2601
Unique number: 807778
, Question 1
a) i) Social order- this is a system that includes linked institutions that create and
protect social patterns. Examples of these institutions is schools. To maintain
your social order, functionalists believe that you need to have four items.
These items are food, shelter, clothing and money. For example, your social
order will improve if you can gain a better type of shelter or your income
increases.
ii) The interdependence of different parts of society- different parts of society
are constructed in a way that fills the various needs of people. Each institution
has its own consequences on society, and it all depends on its size and the
state society is currently in. For example, the schools in a society influence
the amount of people who will go to tertiary education one day. These
institutions are all linked together which means that the economy and schools
work together. For example, if more doctors are needed, schools should focus
on pushing students into the medical field.
iii) Manifest functions- these functions are purposeful and done intentionally.
For example, when a rain dance is performed, it is for the desire for rain to
fall. This is done in front of the community and everyone can learn from it.
iv) latent functions- these are not purposeful and they are imperceptible. For
example, schools act as a care giving service while their parents are at work.
Another example would be that students can meet their lifetime partners while
at school. Schools also teach punctuality as they need to be at school at
certain times in the morning which will help them one day when they get a job.
b) Positive elements of the functionalism theory is that people from all different
backgrounds are brought together to create social solidarity. Secondly,
functionalism allows people to have shared beliefs which allows them to work
together and avoid conflicts. Negative elements of the functionalism theory
are that modern societies are highly focused on class, gender, affluence, and
ethnicity. This means that people who come from backgrounds that are poorer
cannot compete on an equal playground with the more advantaged group.
Lastly, most societies are multicultural, and it is very difficult to create a single
set of values that will be taught to all these different children. This means that
some cultural groups can become marginalised.
