In your own words, explain briefly what Talcott Parsons means by a value consensus, and why we need it:

One example of a shared value in our society could be economic productivity. How do different norms, roles and institutions work towards and promote this shared value?

Norms:

Roles:

Institutions (e.g. education system, church, family, work):

It will become easier to identify problems and criticisms once we have looked at several approaches, but it is still worth trying to identify some problems at this stage.

Working in groups, try to identify potential criticisms of the functionalist approach. You may want to consider:

• The 'consensus' view in general - are they right to see society and its institutions in such a positive light?

• Social change - is functionalism too conservative?

• Do we have a value consensus?

• Do all societies have the same functional prerequisites?