A Level Sociology OCR Practice Exam

Functionalism is a theoretical perspective in sociology that focuses on the functions of various components of a society and how they contribute to the overall stability and order. The emphasis on stability and order highlights functionalism's view that social structures and institutions serve essential roles in maintaining the social equilibrium. A holistic approach is another strength of functionalism, as it encourages the examination of society as an interconnected system where various elements influence each other. This perspective enables sociologists to understand the broader social context in which individual actions occur. The macro-scale approach of functionalism is also significant. It prioritizes the analysis of large-scale social processes, structures, and institutions rather than focusing solely on individual behavior. This approach allows for a better understanding of societal patterns and trends over time. However, functionalism does not effectively address inequalities within society. The perspective often emphasizes social harmony and assumes that all parts of society work together for the common good, which can overlook systemic issues such as power imbalances, discrimination, and social injustice. Thus, the inability to critically engage with issues of inequality is a notable limitation of functionalism.