,
,AQA A LEVEL SOCIOLOGY PAPER 2 FAMILIES AND BELIEFS OPTIONAL
TOPICS NEWEST VERSION REAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS(VERIFIED ANSWERS)|AGRADE||BRAND NEW VERSION
2026!!
Key Functionalist studies
Murdock
Parsons - Basic and Irreducible functions of the family
Parsons - Functionalist fit theory
Murdock
Believes that there are four basic functions of the family that it performs for
society as a whole:
1. Sexual
2. Reproduction
3. Socialisation
4. Economic
Murdock - Families - Sexual Purpose
Ensures that adult sexual relationships are controlled and socially acceptable.
This meant stable monogamous heterosexual relationships
Murdock - Families - Reproduction Purpose
The biological reproduction of the next generation - without which society
cannot continue without
Murdock - Families - Socialisation Purpose
teaching basic norms and values so that the next generation are fully integrated
into society and maintain the social
Murdock - Families - Economic Purpose
Meeting its members economic needs -producing food and shelter for example.
, Parsons - the 'Basic and Irreducible' functions of the family
Socialisation - Agrees with Murdock that the family is essential in the primary
socialisation process and ensuring the that each generation are socialised into
the norms and values of society.
Stabilisation of adult personalities - refers to the emotional security which is
achieved within a marital relationship between two adults. According to Parsons
working life in Industrial society is stressful and the family is a place where the
working man can return and be ‘de-stressed’ by his wife, which reduces conflict
in society. This is also known as the ‘warm bath theory’
Stabilization is achieved the through the biologically determined
roles- Expressive and instrumental.
Define the functionalist view of the family -
family is one of the cornerstones of society. It performs essential functions
which support social stability and social cohesion
What is the Universal Nuclear Family?
is a family that consists of 2 generations, parents and children and Murdock
believes that this family
type exists all over the world and is the best family type.
What are Social Institutions?
the structures in society which influence behaviour such as the family,
education, media and religion.
What are Parsons: Internal Criticism?
- Best Fit Theory - Nuclear family is not universal, the structure of the family
changes as the needs of the society changes. Pre industrial families were
extended families with multiple generations living together, where as post
industrial families needed to be geographically mobile and therefore became
isolated nuclear families.
,AQA A LEVEL SOCIOLOGY PAPER 2 FAMILIES AND BELIEFS OPTIONAL
TOPICS NEWEST VERSION REAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS(VERIFIED ANSWERS)|AGRADE||BRAND NEW VERSION
2026!!
Key Functionalist studies
Murdock
Parsons - Basic and Irreducible functions of the family
Parsons - Functionalist fit theory
Murdock
Believes that there are four basic functions of the family that it performs for
society as a whole:
1. Sexual
2. Reproduction
3. Socialisation
4. Economic
Murdock - Families - Sexual Purpose
Ensures that adult sexual relationships are controlled and socially acceptable.
This meant stable monogamous heterosexual relationships
Murdock - Families - Reproduction Purpose
The biological reproduction of the next generation - without which society
cannot continue without
Murdock - Families - Socialisation Purpose
teaching basic norms and values so that the next generation are fully integrated
into society and maintain the social
Murdock - Families - Economic Purpose
Meeting its members economic needs -producing food and shelter for example.
, Parsons - the 'Basic and Irreducible' functions of the family
Socialisation - Agrees with Murdock that the family is essential in the primary
socialisation process and ensuring the that each generation are socialised into
the norms and values of society.
Stabilisation of adult personalities - refers to the emotional security which is
achieved within a marital relationship between two adults. According to Parsons
working life in Industrial society is stressful and the family is a place where the
working man can return and be ‘de-stressed’ by his wife, which reduces conflict
in society. This is also known as the ‘warm bath theory’
Stabilization is achieved the through the biologically determined
roles- Expressive and instrumental.
Define the functionalist view of the family -
family is one of the cornerstones of society. It performs essential functions
which support social stability and social cohesion
What is the Universal Nuclear Family?
is a family that consists of 2 generations, parents and children and Murdock
believes that this family
type exists all over the world and is the best family type.
What are Social Institutions?
the structures in society which influence behaviour such as the family,
education, media and religion.
What are Parsons: Internal Criticism?
- Best Fit Theory - Nuclear family is not universal, the structure of the family
changes as the needs of the society changes. Pre industrial families were
extended families with multiple generations living together, where as post
industrial families needed to be geographically mobile and therefore became
isolated nuclear families.
