Unit 7: P1, M1, P2, P3, M2, D1
Sociological Perspectives
P1
Explain the principal sociological perspectives
Functionalism:
According to Talcott Parsons (1902 – 1979) this perspective is the main focus in society viewing
society in a variety of ways. Functionalism views society as a structure of highly pertinent elements
working together simultaneously. The primary position of an establishment was socialisation with
individuals, ensuring these individuals appreciated the underlying values of society and behaved
accordingly in civilised manners. This ensured order. George Murdock (1897 – 1985), during his 1949
study of the family, investigated over 250 societies varying from small communities to large
industrialised civilisations, identifying a manner of the family in all. Murdock alleged that the family
in society had four roles:
Sexual function, recognised for the expression of sexuality in an authorized circumstance.
Reproductive function, administering stability for the raising of children.
Socialisation, involving the obligation of educating children in appropriate social behaviours.
Economic function, meaning food, shelter and financial security must be implemented for family
members.
Parsons, however, documenting American society, debated that the family had only two ‘basic and
irreducible functions’:
The elementary socialisation of children.
The equalization of adult personalities. In a demanding and stressful environment the family
provides emotional support and warmth. Parsons viewed this as especially in the case of the
male income provider.
The criticisms of functionalism, more fundamentally, are that functionalism does not discuss fields of
conflict. Conflict certainly portrays modern society and can be located in all societies. Functionalists
also have a tendency to portray an idealistic image of establishments having transparent, decisive
roles and collaborating effectively for the benefit of everyone. This is non-reflecting of the
experience a majority of individuals have endured in the modern world, where the winners and
losers are clear and there are a multitude of non-conformists. Functionalists also portray an image of
a socialisation practice that is unfailing. No definite interpretation of deviant behaviour, principally
the more severe forms of deviance identified in crime, delinquency and abuse, which are diminishing
for society in general.
Marxism:
This perspective is a structuralism model. This approach was first established by Karl Marx (1818 –
1883). Marx also believed that individual behaviour was shaped by society, later appreciating that
the economic system was the clarification of society and peoples place within it. Marx continued to
determine that during his era in the industrial society two social classes were present. These were
the bourgeoisie/ capitalists, small, powerful organizations possessing factories and the employment
of proletariats, a larger, underprivileged faction of ‘workers’ employed by the capitalists. Marx’s
view was that social class would continually be in conflict. Capitalists would want higher profit and
proletariat would want higher wages. Similar to functionalists, Marxists also view family as providing
to a stable social system, regarding the family as attendant of the capitalist system. Marxists believe
it administers context for the socialisation of children in preparation for the control and routine of
working life. Similar to the lack of power a child has within family life, so are people prepared to be
compliant to their superiors at work as an adult. Marxists see the family as providing an emotional
basis, a home from which these people may return to work well rested and refreshed, prepared to
produce large profits for the employer. As the role of servant to the capitalists, the family is required
Sociological Perspectives
P1
Explain the principal sociological perspectives
Functionalism:
According to Talcott Parsons (1902 – 1979) this perspective is the main focus in society viewing
society in a variety of ways. Functionalism views society as a structure of highly pertinent elements
working together simultaneously. The primary position of an establishment was socialisation with
individuals, ensuring these individuals appreciated the underlying values of society and behaved
accordingly in civilised manners. This ensured order. George Murdock (1897 – 1985), during his 1949
study of the family, investigated over 250 societies varying from small communities to large
industrialised civilisations, identifying a manner of the family in all. Murdock alleged that the family
in society had four roles:
Sexual function, recognised for the expression of sexuality in an authorized circumstance.
Reproductive function, administering stability for the raising of children.
Socialisation, involving the obligation of educating children in appropriate social behaviours.
Economic function, meaning food, shelter and financial security must be implemented for family
members.
Parsons, however, documenting American society, debated that the family had only two ‘basic and
irreducible functions’:
The elementary socialisation of children.
The equalization of adult personalities. In a demanding and stressful environment the family
provides emotional support and warmth. Parsons viewed this as especially in the case of the
male income provider.
The criticisms of functionalism, more fundamentally, are that functionalism does not discuss fields of
conflict. Conflict certainly portrays modern society and can be located in all societies. Functionalists
also have a tendency to portray an idealistic image of establishments having transparent, decisive
roles and collaborating effectively for the benefit of everyone. This is non-reflecting of the
experience a majority of individuals have endured in the modern world, where the winners and
losers are clear and there are a multitude of non-conformists. Functionalists also portray an image of
a socialisation practice that is unfailing. No definite interpretation of deviant behaviour, principally
the more severe forms of deviance identified in crime, delinquency and abuse, which are diminishing
for society in general.
Marxism:
This perspective is a structuralism model. This approach was first established by Karl Marx (1818 –
1883). Marx also believed that individual behaviour was shaped by society, later appreciating that
the economic system was the clarification of society and peoples place within it. Marx continued to
determine that during his era in the industrial society two social classes were present. These were
the bourgeoisie/ capitalists, small, powerful organizations possessing factories and the employment
of proletariats, a larger, underprivileged faction of ‘workers’ employed by the capitalists. Marx’s
view was that social class would continually be in conflict. Capitalists would want higher profit and
proletariat would want higher wages. Similar to functionalists, Marxists also view family as providing
to a stable social system, regarding the family as attendant of the capitalist system. Marxists believe
it administers context for the socialisation of children in preparation for the control and routine of
working life. Similar to the lack of power a child has within family life, so are people prepared to be
compliant to their superiors at work as an adult. Marxists see the family as providing an emotional
basis, a home from which these people may return to work well rested and refreshed, prepared to
produce large profits for the employer. As the role of servant to the capitalists, the family is required
