1. Exploring Social Class
Taking a closer look at Functionalism

2. Functionalism
• Talcott Parsons (1930’s)
• Society as Meritocratic.
• Occupational positions require different skills and
abilities.
• Some positions are more functional than others.
• Society needs people without specialist skills to
undertake the menial positions within society.

3. Where does Functionalism fit in?
Functionalism
Postmodernism
Marxism

4. The Agents of Socialisation
• Activity!
• In your groups create a poster presentation
showing how Social Class affects your
Identity.
• Prepare to present your poster to the rest of
the class at the end of the session!

5. Things to consider...
The Agents...
•Workplace
•Religion The Perspectives...
•Peers •Marxism
•Education Social Class •Postmodernism
•Media And •Functionalism
•Family Identity
The Social THEORY!
•Marx
Classes... •Bordieu
•Upper •Lyon
•Middle •Parsons
•Working •Any more you can find!