P1- Explain the Principle Sociological Perspectives

P1- Explain the Principle Sociological Perspectives

Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Health and Social Care
Unit 7: Sociological perspectives for health and social care
P1- Explain the principle sociological perspectives

Sociology is concerned with the way individuals and groups operate within society and the way in which groups interact with each other. There are different sociological perspectives which provide models of society. In this assignment I will be explaining the different sociological perspectives which provide different models of society.
Functionalism
Functionalism looks at social structures and the role they have in society. They believe that each social structure is essential for interests of society. For example, a flower has many parts, each part is essential to its wellbeing, without the vital parts the flower will not survive. Functionalism considers that humans and societies have basic needs, and institutions such as the family and education are seen in terms of the contribution they make to meet these needs and therefore society needs. According to Parsons he believed that order, stability and cooperation in society are based on value consensus- a general agreement by members of society concerning what is good and worthwhile. Parsons also argued that the stratification systems derive from common values. According to Murdock the family has four main functions; they are the sexual function allowed for the expression of sexuality in an approved context. The reproductive function provided stability for the rearing of children, also socialisation which includes the responsibility of teaching children the accepted ways of behaving in society. He also suggests that the economic function meant that food, shelter and financial security had to be provided by the head of the family for rest of the members.
Marxism
Marxism is a structuralise theory which considers that society is based on conflicts of interests and stresses the importance of the role of conflict. Critics’ state that this...

Similar Essays