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How culture drives behavior
How culture drives behavior
Marxism and functionalism similarities and differences
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The Functionalist and Marxist Views on the Purpose of Socialisation Functionalists and Marxists have very similar theories as to the socialisation process. I intend to show this and compare these similarities. There are many well-known functionalists but I am mainly focusing on the views of Talcott Parsons and Emile Durkheim in particular. There are many aspects of the socialisation process to cover both concerning functionalist and Marxist views, these include cultures (made up of many different branches), values (peoples beliefs), and norms (patterns of behaviour). Also primary and secondary socialisation. Functionalists and Marxists both share similar views on the socialisation process. Both viewpoints are based on the substructure of society this is formed by many external influences as follows; the family, media, religion, education and, the state. Both functionalist and Marxists believe that we are the products of social stimuli and are socialised according to our external influences. They both believe in the "top-down" theory seeing society as a stage with all these influences shaping our individual identities. " If society were a stage then we individuals are simply puppets dancing to the tune of the social structures that shape our identities- indeed our lives" (1) Functionalist and Marxists may have similar views but they do not share the same views as to why this process is. I personally believe that in a way we are like puppets, and that we are socialised into what is "right and wrong". I believe the biggest influence to be in the family, because the family are concerned with everything that shapes you... ... middle of paper ... ... a lower class. To me this is wrong, as lower class seems to be putting one in ones place, lower being the operative word. The media do expose people being the positive side but then when one looks at copycat crimes you can't help but blame the media. A lot of influence does come in way of the family but this stems back generations and some adapt quicker to change than others. These too have been socialised by their peers and unfortunately can result in these inequalities in society remaining. However if people did not conform to the norms/values that society thrusts upon them, and there were many deviants, this would surely result in anarchy. But so it is, people do conform, and surely enough society roles on as, as both functionalist and Marxists agree " society is more important than the individuals within it"(12)
The academic essay, “The Social Foundations of Human Experience”, by Peter Berger and Thomas Luckmann written in 1966 is an interesting take on the socialization of human beings. It provides a myriad of information and ideas promoting readers to think about how socialization, as well as social structures effect both society and individual beings. The authors argue that human beings experience life based on the socialization process and their innate abilities to interact with each other. Society operates in a distinct way, based on human activity and human interaction. Through examining our course content and reading the essay I have found that the Peter Berger and Thomas Luckmann
Structural functionalism is a macro-level paradigm that wants to explain the social structural roles. Structural
Functionalist state they do not concentrate on conflict or division within society. However, Durkheim does mention society is together by certain parts of the social system sharing values. If any of the above fails to work together, functionalists explain this as a ‘loss of social solidarity, a lack of integration or a loss of equilibrium’ (Jones 2003 p.38) the key conc...
Structural-functionalist Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore concluded that stratification of society is inevitable because: for society to function its positions must be filled, some positions are more important than others, the more important positions must be filled by the more qualified people, and to motivate the more qualified people to fill these positions they must offer greater rewards. (2012:228) Example of Davis and Moore conclusion is if someone apply for a job as a teacher, they need to be highly qualify in area such as education and experience. For that person to be interest in the job, employer need to offer benefit like retirement plan, vacation time, health insurance, etc… Unlike the position as a teacher, if someone is applying
A functionalist such as Durkheim (1858–1917) believed that deviance was an essential part of a functional society, and that by using the term deviant we were creating our own moral boundaries. Society’s reaction to an individual that crosses these moral boundaries forces people to come together, sharing the collective view of right from wrong. The consensus of these boundaries promotes self restraint and discipline within society. Durkheim theorised that the basis of social order was the shared belief in norms and values. The absence of social order would result in anomie.
The functionalist perspective differs from other perspectives because of its belief in social structures, while the feminist and conflict perspective hold true to their belief in conflict, and the interactionist perspective believes in interaction within society. With that being said, if there was any type of good order and discipline, such as laws to keep people on the straight path, society would break down from the viewpoint of the functionalist. Where as in that same scenario, feminist and conflict perspectives would say society would grow stronger due to conflict. From the interactionist perspective without laws people would have to depend on one another more for different resources causing more interaction within society. All of these perspectives take a different look at society as a whole and they also look at problems within society completely different which means their answers to resolve one issue differ tremendously. What could be consider a problem into society to one perspective may not be as important as another problem to a different perspective, like homelessness.
Structural functionalists believe that society leans towards social order and equilibrium. Institutions such as education are like important organs that keep the society/body healthy and well that is how structural functionalist view education. Social equilibrium means the same as social order, and is guaranteed when nearly everyone accepts the general moral values of their society. Hence structural functionalists believe the aim of key institutions, such as education, is to socialise children and teenagers. Socialization is the process by which the new generation learns the knowledge, attitudes and values that they will need as productive citizens. Although this aim is stated in the formal curriculum, it is mainly achieved through "the hidden
The working class are alienated from their work through their exploitation from the capitalists and see it as simply a means to an end. They seek solace in individualism and their free time therefore, are alienated from their labour. Marx believes the bourgeoisie are also alienated from society as the have lost their sense of humanity through the exploitation of their workers and their greed to fuel capitalism at all costs. This essay will now detail Emile Durkheim’s sociological perspective which is known as Functionalism. (Giddens & Sutton, 2013) explain that Durkheim primarily interested in the study of social facts such as institutions, social norms, technology, values, solidarity, laws and morality, these affect each other and affect people but in Durkheim’s opinion these social facts do not exist in individuals but in the social networks that people have formed. Durkheim had a strong interest in Solidarity which is what holds together society by the integration of individuals into social groups who share the same core values and
Both victims and offenders of crimes of violence tend to be of a younger demographic, and incidents tend to be concentrated in poor neighbourhoods. Therefore, it is important to determine the process through which adolescents come to participate in violent behaviour and the conditions particular to disadvantaged neighbourhoods that foster adolescents’ propensity for violent behaviour. Sutherland’s theory of differential association is particularly useful for explaining the process involved in engaging in deviant behaviour, and it is helpful in explaining why disadvantaged neighbourhoods have the conditions that encourage deviant behaviour. Therefore, by applying socialization theory to crimes of interpersonal violence, this paper will argue
Socialization is another essential function and contents in the process of family communication both in the same and different family of cultural group (Keller, 1998). As, (Newman, 2006), mentioned the structural functionalist perspective point out that the fundamental task of any society is to reproduce itself, to create members whose behavior, desires. It also develop distinct orientation to social action which is characterized of families culture and society (Keller, et al., 1998) . These goals have corresponded to those that the particular society deems appropriate and desirable. According to Benokraitis;
According to Marx his theory of alienation is a result of the capitalist mode of production and the cruelty of money. In the world of capitalism, the realization of labour appears as a loss of reality for labour workers. The worker turns foreign to the world he lives in thus, alienation leading to social classes. Marx considers there are four different types of alienation: “Alienation of the worker from the product where the worker is alienated from the object they produce because it is owned by the capitalist; alienation of the worker from the process of production where the process of production is not determined by the producers or the consumers but the by the Capitalist class for profit; alienation of the worker from his/her species-essences
Socialization is defined as the “process of through which an individual learns to become a member of society (LaViolette & Barnett 2000).” The learning process can be from observations of others’ behavior and one’s cognitive thoughts (LaViolette & Barnett 2000). Even before the time we are born, gender plays a role. What the baby will be named and what sex the parents would prefer. For example, the parents decorate the nursery. Blue if the baby is a boy and pink if the baby is a girl. Also, females are considered “second sex” (Matlin, 2008). Most couples want their first born to be male. Also, females are often represented as being inferior to males.
Ø In particular with Durkheim’s work, it is too optimistic and maintains the idea of social solidarity as the main theme, and simply believes pathologies can be solved through simple social reform, ignoring any problems or conflict and the affects. Ø Marxists argue that the modern family is organised to support and benefit the ruling class and the capitalist economy, rather than benefiting all of society. In particular, they accuse functionalists for ignoring the fact that power is not equally distributed in society. Some groups have more wealth and power than others and may be able to impose their norms and values as less powerful groups.
A highly valued view of building the community is that students must have the capability to motivate themselves and the likelihood to be active in both educational and social experiences. Socializing contains a variety of features from transferring messages to self-disclosure. Online professors can support the socialization by making a forum for discussions. The term ‘water cooler forum’ came from workers gathering at a water cooler to socialize with one another. For the online professor, this concept of socializing is done in an online forum where both student and the professor participate.
Functionalism, first proposed by Durkheim is a theory which views society as a system of interlinking institutions, for example education, family and government which are reliant on each other to maintain balance and order within society (sociology twynham). Functionalists believe these institutions