Functionalism

    OCR
    GCSE

    Functionalism is a structural, consensus perspective that interprets society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability. Rooted in the works of Durkheim and refined by Parsons and Merton, it posits that social institutions (family, education, crime) function solely to maintain the 'organic analogy' of the social body. Candidates must assess the mechanisms of socialisation and social control that generate value consensus, while critically evaluating the theory's inability to adequately explain social conflict, power dynamics, and rapid social change.

    0
    Objectives
    4
    Exam Tips
    4
    Pitfalls
    3
    Key Terms
    4
    Mark Points

    What You Need to Demonstrate

    Key skills and knowledge for this topic

    • Award AO1 marks for precise definitions of 'value consensus', 'anomie', 'collective conscience', and 'organic analogy'.
    • Credit AO2 application when candidates link Parsons' 'functional fit' or 'warm bath theory' to contemporary family structures or educational settings.
    • Award AO3 marks for evaluating the functionalist view of meritocracy against Marxist evidence of class reproduction or Feminist views on patriarchy.
    • Candidates must explicitly contrast consensus approaches with conflict theories to access the highest mark bands in synoptic questions.

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • Award AO1 marks for precise definitions of 'value consensus', 'anomie', 'collective conscience', and 'organic analogy'.
    • Credit AO2 application when candidates link Parsons' 'functional fit' or 'warm bath theory' to contemporary family structures or educational settings.
    • Award AO3 marks for evaluating the functionalist view of meritocracy against Marxist evidence of class reproduction or Feminist views on patriarchy.
    • Candidates must explicitly contrast consensus approaches with conflict theories to access the highest mark bands in synoptic questions.

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡In 12-mark and 24-mark questions, ensure every paragraph follows the PEEL structure: Point, Explanation, Evidence (Theorist), Link.
    • 💡When discussing Durkheim, explicitly link 'social solidarity' to the prevention of 'anomie' to demonstrate depth of understanding.
    • 💡Allocate strictly 1 minute per mark; do not over-write on 6-mark 'Describe' questions at the expense of the high-tariff synoptic essay.
    • 💡Use the 'Organic Analogy' as a framing device for introduction paragraphs to demonstrate conceptual oversight before diving into specifics.

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Conflating 'socialisation' with general 'learning' without explicit reference to the transmission of norms and values.
    • Presenting the 'Organic Analogy' as a literal biological fact rather than a theoretical metaphor for structural interdependence.
    • Failing to acknowledge the 'rose-tinted' critique—ignoring dysfunction, conflict, or exploitation within institutions.
    • Confusing the 'New Right' with Functionalism; while similar, candidates must distinguish between the two when discussing state dependency.

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    Likely Command Words

    How questions on this topic are typically asked

    Identify
    Describe
    Explain
    Discuss
    Evaluate
    To what extent

    Ready to test yourself?

    Practice questions tailored to this topic