CAPE Sociology Sociological Perspective

We are here for CAPE Sociology Unit One. Now, most of you would have been with us last week, and you had Mr. Beckford, who gave the introduction to CAPE Sociology. We are continuing today with our lessons on sociological perspectives.

Now, most of you would have remembered that sociology is the study of society and why it exists. Once again, sociology is the study of society and why it exists. Now, there are various views as to why sociology exists, and each group of individuals, each group of sociologists who come to you and say, "Okay, I have an explanation of society and why it exists," they actually give to you a perspective. And so, when we talk about sociological perspectives, what we're actually talking about is an explanation of society's existence. Once again, a sociological perspective gives an explanation of society's existence. So let's go.

There are four major perspectives in sociology. Now let me go again; the term "major" is imperative. There are not four perspectives in sociology, but there are four major perspectives as it relates to the CAPE Sociology syllabus, as well. There are four that we will concentrate on. Now that is very, very, very important, you know, because we have so many times that we get our multiple-choice questions, and they will ask you how many perspectives exist, and the answer is that the perspectives are infinite; a myriad of perspectives exist. However, there are four major perspectives, and the major perspectives are as follows: We have functionalism. Functionalism is the name of the perspective; the theorists from functionalism, they are called the functionalist. So functionalism is the perspective; the persons are called the functionalist, or it may be called the functionalist perspective, where "functionalist" now becomes the adjective. Then you have the conflict perspective; you have the interactionism perspective or the interactionist perspective; and you have feminism.

So the four major ones, the ones that you'll be concentrating on in your CAPE Unit One syllabus, are, once again, functionalism, conflict, interactionism, and feminism. Today we're going to look at the functionalist perspective. So let us look at what functionalism is all about.

Now, sociology as a subject cannot be explored, cannot be studied without understanding who the theorists are. So if it is that I'm going to look at functionalism as a perspective, I must first understand who the functionalists are; who are the persons who actually did the research and came up with the explanation of society and why it existed? I'm going to say to you that a sociological essay without names is like a history essay without dates; it just can't work. You cannot actually go into sociology as a student of sociology and not know the theories. So just like you would not actually go to a history exam and say, "When Columbus land whatever," and then look later on, you find that the English them come and then lick a bit; no, you don't say that because you don't say that in history. Yes, also don't say that in sociology, where the man them did name, or some people say you must have the names of the theorists. Good.

Now, the major functionalists are Émile Durkheim, Talcott Parsons, Robert K. Merton. Once again, the term "major" is imperative. "Major" does not mean only; we're just saying that these are big ones. In particular, the man called Émile Durkheim. Émile Durkheim is called the father of sociology, not because he created the discipline, but because he contributed so much to the discipline of sociology. Émile Durkheim, ah, the big man; he's a big man as it relates to functionalism, but he's also the big man as it relates to sociology. And so, if you no member, no nehemitah, you have a member: Émile Durkheim. If it is that you're going to examine, you know member name, right? According to Durkheim, Durkheim says about everything. If you're a young man, you meet a young lady, and she said she do sociology, and you want to impress her, say to her, "Kind from you, said Durkheim," I'm sure I believe you. Émile Durkheim, ah, big man. Talk person is important as well. He actually made the majority of his theories in relation to Émile Durkheim; that's the influence of Émile Durkheim. Similarly, Robert K. Merton.

Now, what is it that the functionalists believe? Let us get to that. Now, the functionalist, in their explanation of society, says to us that society is like the human body. So just like the human body has organs, society will have institutions. Now let's stop for a moment and think about the human body. What is the human body like? Yeah, we know that within the human body we have different organs; all of them have their own function. You have the brain, you have the lungs, you have the heart, and every single organ has a purpose; you know that. Now, so you also know that if the organs cease to operate, if the organs stop doing what they are supposed to be doing, the result is that the body will collapse. Good. So there's two things we know: We know one, that the body is filled with organs; we know two, that each organ has its own function; and we know three, that if each organ ceases to do what it's supposed to do, if it stops functioning, then the body will collapse. The fourth thing we know about the organs of the body is that they work together; they work together in tandem to make sure that the body exists. So the brain does what it's supposed to do, but it does it in collaboration with the heart, and the heart pumping blood, and the blood going to the lungs and the other parts of the body. So all the organs work together to ensure the body exists.

Now, when functionalists assess society, they say to us, "Listen, man, for the society to exist, we must have organs." In the case of the society, we call them institutions, and all of these institutions, they act like the organs of the body. Now let's talk a little bit more about the institutions. Good. What are the institutions in society? We have family, we have the education system, we have government, we have religion, we have the economy. All of these are institutions in the society, and just like the organs of the body have functions, each institution in society has a function. And when each institution actually plays, does what it is supposed to do, functions in the manner that it is expected, then it allows society to exist. Now remember, no, if it is that we are to appreciate a perspective, you must first understand the purpose; the aim of the perspective is to explain society and its existence. It is wants to say to you, "This is how society is possible," at least cause it that this mech. The functionalists are saying that society is possible because it has functional institutions; functional institutions that each have a purpose that contribute to the stability and existence of the society. The reason the society is here is because each of these institutions continue to do what it ought to do, just like each of the organs in the body continue to do what it ought to do. For that reason, the functionalist perspective is called an organic theory. Turkey, MDMC, put forward an organic theory; it speaks to how each of these institutions act like organs, how them work together to make sure that the society, like the body, exists.

Now, some key things you need to know, and we start going now into our jargons. Yeah, when it is that you do sociology, you want to ensure that you know the jargon. So you look right; I say to my students all the time that whether you're bright or not, it's not my business; you can't take that to the Lord in prayer, but your most convinced me say a bright, you must try to show me that you have some knowledge, and to do that, you want to ensure that you use your jargons. The jargons are words that are specific to the discipline; that when it is that you use it, may not say a new way out, how about there are some jargons that the functionalists use. Let's look at some of the jargons that the functionalists use in their explanation of society, right. Now, we already said to you that each institution contributes to the stability of society; a contribute to social order. Each institution contributes to the stability of society; it contributes to what? Social order. So once it is that you start talking about functionalism, not only must you know the term "institutions," but you must also know "social order"; you must also know what social order is. Now let me go back a moment for you; well, let me go now. Functional prerequisites; functional prerequisites, that's another key jargon. I just gave you social order; I told you the importance of social order as it relates to the functionalities; yeah, it's a key term for them. Another key term is functional prerequisites. What is a prerequisite? When you hear the term "prerequisite," what comes to mind? Ah, I've given you a minute to think about it; I wouldn't think again, you know; we kind of have Google brains, no? So anything we don't know, we just run go search. Don't search this time; I'm saying take a moment to think about prerequisite; think about it in the context that you've heard it before; yeah, a prerequisite to do CAPE subjects is 5 CXCs. Yes, so if you hear the term "prerequisite" used in that context, what do you think it means? Good. Now I'm hoping that you come up with answers such as necessities; yeah, something that is needed. So a prerequisite is something that is needed, and a functional prerequisite is actually a necessity for society's survival. A functional prerequisite is a necessity for society's survival. I'm stopping for a moment because while you're writing down, you need to write it down because these are key terms that, as I said before, make you look right; that when you're writing your exam, instead of saying things that society needs, yes, a functional prerequisite, I'm starting, saying one mark for the one year, yeah. So you need to write these terms down. The functionalists are of the view that when the institutions function, they provide society with functional prerequisites; they provide society with what is necessary for society's survival; yeah. So when each institution does what it is supposed to do, then it provides society with what the society needs to be stable. Good.

Now let's talk about functional prerequisites a little bit more. One example of a functional prerequisite is a value consensus. One example of a functional prerequisite is a value consensus. So a value consensus, no, is another key term; it's another jargon; write it down; write it down. And these are functionalist jargons, and they're going to be important not only when you're writing your essays, but also when you go to your multiple-choice segment of your exams. Now last week, when Mr. Beckford introduced CAPE Sociology to you, he made it clear that the exam has three sections: There is the IA, right, that you all do together in class, and then you have the multiple-choice segment, which is worth 20, and then you have your essay segment, right? Now, within the multiple-choice segment, a lot of the questions ask you for definitions of key terms. Functional prerequisite is one of the key terms that can come up; value consensus is another. So the value consensus is an example of a functional prerequisite. The value consensus is something that society needs to survive; yeah. Now, what is a value consensus? What is the definition of a value consensus? I'm going to break up the terms now. I'm going to—consensus. You hear the word "consensus" already, so think about it and tell me what "consensus" means. When we say we have arrived at a consensus, yeah, or do we have our consensus, what do I mean? Now, usually when I ask this question, many students say "conclusion," because of the context we actually use, but no, it does not mean "conclusion." The term "consensus" means "agreement," and so when I have a value consensus, it means I have an agreement on what is right and what is wrong, because the term "value" means the belief in what is right and what is wrong; yeah, everybody has them beliefs about what is right and what is wrong. And so, when you have a value consensus, you have an agreement within the society about what is right and what is wrong. And if there is no agreement in society about what is right and what is wrong, then society will cease to exist; society will collapse as a consequence. The value consensus is a functional prerequisite; it is what society needs to exist. If the society doesn't have shared values, the result is going to be chaos. Let's think about it for a while; yeah. Remember, I tell you that the value consensus is an agreement on what is right and what is wrong; it means that you and I should agree that A is right and B is wrong. And if there is no such agreement, society got collapsed. Why? Just take for a moment, just one moment, and think about it. If you believe that you must stop on the red light, and me believe say you must drive from the red light, if there is no agreement on what is right when you reach at a red light, what is the result? The result is chaos; the result is confusion, because not only are we going to have accidents, yeah, and accidents can lead to death, but even if it is a minor accident, after the accident, award, after the accidental war, because as far as I'm concerned, I am right; may I come to you as a boss man, you'll never see the red light, and y'all upon me, and you never see the red light, and we have a war because we are of the honest belief that we are right. There is no agreement between us as to what is right and what is wrong, and if this does not happen, the result is constant chaos, and so society won't exist. And it don't even have to be big things like, you know, like the stoplight; little things. If you don't have any agreement on the small things that are right or wrong, the result is the same: chaos, conflict between people continuously. If, when I say to you, "Good morning," you don't believe that you should respond and say, "Good morning," then the results are conflict. But come here, I say, yeah, this me, yeah, and I'm one of those persons; when I say "morning," Tina, you know, responding, get back smile; I'll walk you; look like, um, "Excuse me, you never hear me say morning?" Are you looking for me like I want to know mania? I'm still, I said one morning because it is my belief that if I say "morning" to you, the right thing is for you to respond and say, "Good morning." If you don't have that same belief as I do, then the result is conflict. Good. So going back to the main point, is that the value consensus, which is a key term—if you're not right, it don't get your waste time, yeah—you'd better write down the key term, the value consensus, which is a key term for the functionalist as well; it means shared values and agreement on what is right and what is wrong. And the value consensus is an example of a functional prerequisite, and remember a functional prerequisite is a necessity for society's survival. Good. So we are right when we are against them, while we get a better understanding of functionalism.

Now, as we continue, we say, "How does the value consensus come about?" The value consensus occurs when our family, when the families within the society function; when the families within the society actually socialize us, that is when we actually get the value consensus. So come again, the value consensus, metallia already said, needs it; without it, society got collapsed. So where will get it from? How are we going to ensure that within our society there is an agreement on what is right and what is wrong? Yeah. Now that occurs when the family functions; when the family as an institution does what it's supposed to do. And what the family is supposed to do is to socialize us. Now what does it mean, the term "socialize"? That's another key term, and you're going to meet it continuously, continuously in sociology, not just CAPE Sociology Unit One, but every level of sociology, no; you must, you meet the term "socialization." What does it mean? Now, the majority, you, when you hear "socialization," you automatically think to interact; you start thinking, well, you're a virgin; I want to go a party, and when you go a club and things like this, that is the generic definition of socialization; what we would say the layman's definition, the definition where everybody uses, yeah, but in this sociological sense, the term "socialization" means to teach you right from wrong; yeah, that's what socialization is. Socialization is really the process through which the individual is taught the norms and values of the society; it's taught what the society thinks you should do and should not do; yeah. And the function of socializing us is really the major function of the family. See, I keep using the term "major," and I keep going back to these things because you need to—Unit One Sociology, sorry, is knowledge-based; yeah. And so when you get into your exam, remember sana's CSEC again, so you just now look on it from face value. When I use the term "major," it means that it is the main thing, but it don't mean it's the only thing. So I'm saying to you that the major function of the family is to socialize us; the major function of the family is to teach us right from wrong. And in so doing, the family will ensure that there is a value consensus, because everybody learns certain things right, and everybody learns certain things wrong. So when the family as an institution, yeah, provides the function of socialization, then it provides society with a value consensus, and the value consensus is an example of a functional prerequisite. Good. So if we're looking at it once more in a wholesome manner, as in why society exists, the functionalists will say to you that society exists because you have institutions like the family, and these institutions function; they do things that are good; yeah. And when they function, they provide society with what society needs to exist. One example of this is that when the family socializes us, it provides society with a value consensus; an agreement on what is right and what is wrong. So because the majority of us here are Jamaicans, we learn the same things at home; we learned certain things right and certain things wrong; yeah. And it's not only in terms of like saying morning and evening, etc., but even religion; we find that we have similar religions because we live in the same society. So we learned that certain things must do; you learn say you must pray, and when people don't pray, you know, same will say "amen," and when you hear people say, "God is good," all when you're not even like first, so you still say, "Holy time," and the people don't say, "I know all the time," I automatically respond and, "God is going"—never meet me yet, you know, you're just swimming up on the bus the first time, are you just hearing people come in and say, "God is good," and even if you don't answer Lord, you say all the time, and he heard somebody say, "Oh," after you say what in heaven, yeah, because they learn these things at home, and as a consequence, there is an agreement on what we should do and what we should not do. Without the family socializing us, without the family performing its function, the result is chaos. Good. All right, so we'll give some key terms, and I want you to always remember the key terms; always remember the key terms. Now, why am I saying and making the point about the key terms? So you're going to multiple-choice exam, then they're going to ask you, they're going to ask you for definitions of key terms, but not only that, they might ask you which, which perspective is the term "value consensus" connected? Now, if you don't know the term "value consensus," or you know no functionalism, then you're getting wrong; yeah, and you can't afford to miss one; you know, you can't afford to miss one because we want to get the best grade possible. I tell people all the time that I am here about the learning, that people should understand, but we must pass the exam; yeah, we are prepared for the exam; that is the ultimate aim. So I want to have a better understanding of sociology, but I am not just doing it because like it; I also want to pass the exam. And so you have to look at what the exam is asking for and make sure that you are prepared. And the exam is going to be asking you about the jargons, so make sure you know what value consensus is; make sure you know the definition of it; make sure you know the context in which it is used; make sure you know which perspective uses it as well. In this way, you start preparing for your exam from your start being introduced to the topic; from your start being introduced to the subject. Someone who started preparing for the exam when one month before the exam, that makes sense, no man? You start preparing by looking at the sort of questions, and you start learning the information in that particular manner. Good.

Now, another key thing; another key thing: Without a value consensus, there would be anomie; another key term, no? These are one of them terms; they will make it look brighter than normal; yeah, instead of saying "chaos," say "anomie." This is a term that was introduced by Durkheim; it means that there is no social order, but when you say it, you're automatically sound bright; yeah. So when you go talk about other topics, when we're getting a crime or getting a religion, and you start talking about the absence, nobody say "chaos" again; say "anomie." Anomie is another term for societal chaos. If there is no value consensus, according to Durkheim, the result is anomie; anomie means chaos. Good. So here we go. So we're getting back into what it is that we're doing; we're talking about functionalism, and I'm a person; I like to recap; I believe that at the end of a particular lesson, and I call you up and say, "Oh, tell me more functional is it," you should be able, in your own words, to explain what it says, you know, based on your understanding; we don't even read it in that book; you should be able to say, "All right, at this might." Now we have said to you that functionalism is one of the main perspectives. Who are the big man? What a big man for functionalism? And I remember every name, but which Nehemiah must remember? The big man for functionalism is Émile Durkheim; yeah. What do they compare society to? They compare society to the human body; they argue that just like the human body has organs, society has institutions, and therefore society exists because all of these institutions, all of these institutions perform and ruled perform them function; yeah. Now, when the institutions function, they provide society with what is called a functional prerequisite; a necessity for society's survival. So, for example, when the family functions, it socializes us; it teaches right from wrong; and in so doing, it provides the necessity for survival, which is called a value consensus. You see me? So this is just an example of it, God, of a functional prerequisite, the value consensus, and the institution functioning. Good.

But when you do sociology, one of the things you are going to notice is that every single solitary perspective or theory is criticized. There is no absolute in sociology; there is nobody that is totally right, nor is there anybody that is totally wrong. You, as a student of sociology, you should have the appreciation of all the theories and be able to criticize them as well. So even if you agree with what the functionalists say, and it makes sense—a society actually exists like that, and if this is a good explanation—you should be able to see where they fall short. The functionalists are criticized as being utopian. The functionalists are criticized as being utopian. Do you know what the term "utopian" means? Yeah, when I say it's a utopia, look, when the picture will be sure what look like. When you see utopia, when it is that it is a utopia, or something is utopian, then it is perfect. The functionalists are criticized as being utopian because they have this perfect view of society; then take it for granted that all the institutions in society are always functional; they're always doing what they're supposed to be doing. And so, once a society is in existence, it's because the family is doing what it's supposed to be doing; it's good, and Chris and Corey, yes, and the education system is doing what it's supposed to be doing, and the health care system and the economy, all of them working, and not only are they working, them working with each other to make sure the society comes together and everything is great. The critics say, "Mush dong that lie, no, no gusso." They said, "There are many societies that exist, and even though they are in existence, the institutions don't function." Let's say if you look at the functionalists when they talk about the family, then talk about the family is a little perfect place where you have the mother and the father come together, and then teach the children right from…

Wrong. So everybody have the agreement on what is right from wrong. Everybody have the value consensus. The functionalist family is called the serial package family, and when we get to family as a topic, we'll discuss that. But serial pocket is the way we know Jamaica. With us, a conflicts box. You ever see a conflict idiot on TV, or perfect? When you see conflicts at one TV, now first of all, it starts with the mother, and the mother just get up, and she'll pretend at the kitchen, and she a cook. Daddy, daddy, our face nice, our ear nice, our clothes ready, daddy, daddy. And she just up here cook over there at stuff. She just loved our life, damn time. And then you see her husband run come down and say, honey, yeah. And she give him a kiss. Mom and I'm sitting on the table, let him get him food, and they see them perfect picnic come down, one boy, one girl, and then I found them clothes already and them good, and then come at them, get them cereal, and then just eat it, and them just look perfect. Thank you, Mom. This is so great. And then you see the dog come in. Oh, lord of a dog. And he's always a nice fluffy dog and never one mongrel dog with some ticks. No, no, he's a nice dog running in a slow motion. I saw conflicts and look perfect.

But the reality is that many families are not like that. I can tell that my family is never like that. In the morning, I have three children, yeah, and my dog. First of all, my dog is the idiot, that the worst dog in the world. If just a buck for no natal, nothing. No matter how you tell that what happened as a dog, not happy, nice. Yeah, I am very miserable in the morning, and everything with me, I cook squad. My husband ever ready. And we know let your married, you know, I am leaving. So anybody know already just what I am leaving might pick they have never ready yet. Neither Mary Charles is cool. I might pick the Navajo on her shoes. May I say what uh, you know, let me know what the door. Oh, you could have come on without check what's happening. She take one foot and she left the next. So the perfection that they functionally talk about don't exist but at all. It is that soul the functionalists take it for granted that the parents will always know right from wrong, and so they will always be able to teach their children right from wrong. The critics say that's not true. There are many parents who don't know right from wrong themselves, and some of them can't teach them children right from wrong, and so there's no value consensus being provided. You have to mash down that lie, yeah.

And then there are some wonderful parents out there trying to teach right from wrong, and then you have some picnic that no matter what the parents do, then they never take a listen. Right now I say to you, somebody thinks there were unodo if no mother ever aired and dropped on if them looking down a message from her last night when you're saying 11:30, she collapsed. Right, that's how she collapsed. I remember she a teacher right from wrong from earlier. I always give an example of a little girl that I met in courts long ago, long long time. She was a big picnic, but at the time she was a little girl, and she was a pretty little girl. I know when I pretty pick never want to make much of them. I try talk to them, hi for the girl or that kind of team. So I'm sitting in courts and like a girl pass and she stepped on my toe, and when she stepped on my toes I said, come here, pretty girl, where am I say. And she turned me on and she just give me a smile and she said a good. Now when she says her misha cannot me, I say, but before I could even respond, the poor mother grabbed my election yesterday. Why are you not behaving this honey? Now it means that the mother has been trying to teach her right from wrong, but the child just decides to do what she wants for do. The functionalists don't see that. They take it for granted that as an institution the family will always function, but it's not only the family. They take it for granted that all the institutions function. They take it for granted that once they take step in school the education system is going to function, that every teacher is going to be there to teach you and like you, and you are going to be there to learn. This sad reality is that that is not the case, not only in Jamaica but across the world. There are many teachers who don't like teach, yeah. There are many schools that don't teach in the manner that you expect. They don't have many picni welcome to school and them have no intention to learn. That I don't know where you come school for. As a matter of fact, you come only because they get your lunch money. Right? I know you can't wait for school because you want your lunch money. Are you calm because you wanna talk to your friend, name? I have one girl where I need to check are you know your ear need for dough, and the girl they're always in the bar through my ear, and that's where you go.

But the functionalists don't look at the fact that many of the institutions don't function. They take it for granted that healthcare always function, that the healthcare system is there and the doctors are going to look after you, and everybody could get better, or if they can't, it's because of what God intends, but it's never because the system does function. But that's not true. As you get to unit 2 and we study health care, you'll find that the statistics show that in the United States the health care system kill more people than it cure, yeah. Many people say that about Jamaica as well, and I'm saying many people say that because there's no evidence, and if there's no evidence you can't use it as examples. There's no evidence, but there are people who believe that the health care system does not provide the standard of health that you need, yeah. Germany comes will tell you right now that we have some problem with your health care system that you got doctor and you can't actually go and go see a doctor because we have shortage. Are you not a bed? That means the health care system is not functioning in the way it should. Then say you got certain hospitals you're dead. That's a dream again. People say that's not necessarily true, yeah. We got not only that the people doctor them getting medicine you're not trusting doctor. Doctor gear is what you know we must say. I remember drinks on tea, and so the health care system can operate the way it should. And so the functionalists, the functionalists are criticized as being utopian. They're saying that the functionalist perspective does not give a proper explanation of society's existence because they don't see that all the institutions don't always function. They don't see that the society can exist without these perfect institutions doing all the things that they need to do. And so people believe that functionalism is not a proper explanation of society's existence. People believe that Durkheim might be a big man and him do some good research and so forth, but we're not thinking right, and that is fine. Remember I said to you in sociology there's no absolute. It is one of the things that I love and appreciate about the subject, the fact that it forces you to think. The critical thinking element of sociology is one of my favorite parts because you should be able to say, all right, functionalism good in this way, whereas functionalism not good in this way, and it is because there is no absolute why you have other perspectives that have evolved that have given alternate explanation of why society exists. Are you with me?

Yeah. Now the key things that we need to remember, the key things that we need to remember. I'm going to go from the beginning now. Remember I said to you earlier that you all have an understanding of what sociology is from Dr. Beckford from last week. Dr. Beckford started, he said to you that sociology is the study of society and why it exists, and therefore a sociological perspective must be explaining why society exists. Then I said there are four major perspectives, and we gave them one that we looked at was functionalism. The big man was Emile Durkheim, and he compared society to the human body. He explained that just like the human body has organs, society has institutions, and so society exists because all of these institutions work together to ensure society's existence. The key terms that you should remember: functional prerequisites, key term that you should remember; value consensus, key term that you should remember; socialization, key terms should remember; institutions, key term; anomie. If you're not have nothing, write down them terms, because even when I'm not here, once you have them you can go back, you can do a quick search, and you can know what they are, yeah. And then the major criticism of the functionalist explanation of society's existence, the major criticism of the functionalist perspective is that it's utopian. It has this perfect view of society. It takes it for granted that no no wrong, there is no conflict, and every institutional function, and that is why the conflict perspective was introduced, and we look at it next week. So yep, we have come to the end of the session, and I dare say the end of another week. We can now officially say, thank God it's Friday. But even though the school week is done, the learning doesn't stop. Try to get a bit of review in on the weekend so that you won't be behind when we continue into next week with our new lessons in the same subjects presented this week.