Explain The Principal Sociological Principles

P1 Explain the principal sociological principles

Functionalism: Functionalism (or structural functionalism) is the perspective in sociology according to which society consists of different but related parts, each of which serves a particular purpose. According to functionalism, sociologists can explain social structures and social behaviour in terms of the components of a society and their functions. Auguste Comte helped develop functionalism in the 19th century, and functionalist Emile Durkheim later compared society to the human body. Just as the body consists of different, interrelated organs that enable it to survive, society consists of different components that enable it to survive and which depend on each other. For example, judicial systems help maintain order, and schools teach children. Problems in a single part of society can disrupt the whole.
In sociology, Marxism explains social change and movements. Developed by Karl Marx in the mid-1800s, Marxism holds that in a capitalist society the owners of the means of production oppress those who work in them. For example, the people who own large corporations exploit corporate employees, who perform unrewarding work for little pay. Resulting class conflict leads to social change in the form of revolution, as the workers overthrow the ruling class. In general, social change arises from class conflict. Marx thought classes would disappear in a communist