A Level Sociology OCR Practice Exam

According to Murdock, how do families contribute to the functioning of society?

1. By promoting competition

2. By ensuring stability and harmony

3. By encouraging rebellion and change

4. By creating wealth

The correct answer is: By ensuring stability and harmony

Murdock, a prominent sociologist, argued that families play a crucial role in maintaining social order and stability within society. He believed that families are fundamental social institutions responsible for various basic functions that contribute to the overall functioning of society. One of the primary functions of the family as Murdock outlined is providing emotional support and fostering a sense of belonging, which contributes to individual well-being and promotes social cohesion. This emotional and social foundation allows individuals to integrate more effectively into the larger community, promoting stability and harmony. Additionally, families often play a significant role in the socialization process, teaching children values, norms, and behaviors that align with societal expectations. This socialization process helps ensure that society’s cultural continuity is maintained, as families pass on knowledge and practices from one generation to the next. By emphasizing stability and harmony, Murdock's view highlights how families help mitigate conflict and create a more orderly society. Thus, the viewpoint that families contribute to the functioning of society through ensuring stability and harmony aligns closely with Murdock’s functionalist perspective on the essential roles that families play.