D1 – Evaluate the role of sociological perspectives in the understanding of
society and models and concepts of health in relation to service provision in a
local health and social care setting.
It is important to know how accurate the sociological perspectives in helping us
understand society.
Functionalism
Functionalism is a perspective that likens the society to the human body. The body
has many organs that act as institutions of the body. If one institution fails then it has
an impact on the other organs within the body. Similarly, society has institutions
which if one fails then it affects other institutions of society. An example would be if
the education institution fails, it will impact other institutions such as employment and
future options. The argument is whether the perspective is accurate when
understanding society.
One of the most important criticisms of Functionalism is that it does not address
areas of conflict, which almost certainly characterises modern societies and could be
found in all societies. Functionalists emphasise agreement and consensus as they
paint a nice rosy picture on institutions having clear, positive functions and
cooperating effectively for the good of all. Furthermore, Functionalism is based on
the ideology that in every society, members share some basic values and beliefs and
these agreements and beliefs supports the socialisation process and the working of
the main institutions. Researchers are unable to find the common values shared in
today’s societies. Functionalists also believe that very little of our behaviour is down
to personal choice. They believe that it is a direct result of the socialisation process.
According to functionalists, we are highly programmed to behave in particular ways.
The interactionist model provides a different perspective to this view. Lastly,
Functionalists pay very little attention to the failures and hence believe there are no
failures. They fail to provide explanations of deviant behaviour, mainly in crime,
delinquency and abuse which are destabilising society as a whole. Functionalism
can be a good perspective as it shows how different interrelated parts of the society
operate in a complementary manner to allow overall social stability. Functionalism
allows us to see how society adapts to overcome economic and other changes. It is
also important to see as it explains how society minimises conflict through
society and models and concepts of health in relation to service provision in a
local health and social care setting.
It is important to know how accurate the sociological perspectives in helping us
understand society.
Functionalism
Functionalism is a perspective that likens the society to the human body. The body
has many organs that act as institutions of the body. If one institution fails then it has
an impact on the other organs within the body. Similarly, society has institutions
which if one fails then it affects other institutions of society. An example would be if
the education institution fails, it will impact other institutions such as employment and
future options. The argument is whether the perspective is accurate when
understanding society.
One of the most important criticisms of Functionalism is that it does not address
areas of conflict, which almost certainly characterises modern societies and could be
found in all societies. Functionalists emphasise agreement and consensus as they
paint a nice rosy picture on institutions having clear, positive functions and
cooperating effectively for the good of all. Furthermore, Functionalism is based on
the ideology that in every society, members share some basic values and beliefs and
these agreements and beliefs supports the socialisation process and the working of
the main institutions. Researchers are unable to find the common values shared in
today’s societies. Functionalists also believe that very little of our behaviour is down
to personal choice. They believe that it is a direct result of the socialisation process.
According to functionalists, we are highly programmed to behave in particular ways.
The interactionist model provides a different perspective to this view. Lastly,
Functionalists pay very little attention to the failures and hence believe there are no
failures. They fail to provide explanations of deviant behaviour, mainly in crime,
delinquency and abuse which are destabilising society as a whole. Functionalism
can be a good perspective as it shows how different interrelated parts of the society
operate in a complementary manner to allow overall social stability. Functionalism
allows us to see how society adapts to overcome economic and other changes. It is
also important to see as it explains how society minimises conflict through
