FUNCTIONALISMFor this exercise you should complete each of the following statements of strengths and weaknesses. You will find a list of 15 words at the end that you should use to fill in the gaps shown.

Strengths1.

This approach shows how a part of society can work at two different levels, both fulfilling the needs of each________________and meeting the needs of the whole______________________at the same time.

2.

It provides a very__________________________view of society.

3.

Functionalists show how each of the parts of society are _____________ each contributing to the__________________of the whole.

4.

Functionalism allows us to examine the possible functions of__________________which might otherwise appear to be purposeless.

5.

It provides a useful focus on the importance of social structure and social________________________ .

Weaknesses1.

Functionalism overemphasises the__________________nature of society.

2.

It therefore tends to ignore the________________and________________ stressed by Marxists.

3.

Similarly, functionalism fails to recognise the importance of power and the_________________________of those who have power.

4.

It takes a politically___________________position, appearing to support the status quo.

5.

Functions are assumed to exist because the institutions that provide them exist. But an effect cannot explain a cause – therefore this explanation is______________________ .

6.

Interactionist sociologists have accused functionalism of being too____________________seeing people as programmed and __________________ by the social system, with little choice of action.

Missing words:controlled society positive conflict dominance rituals teleological well-being institutions harmonious conservative change

interdependent deterministic individual