MCAT Behavioral Sciences Question 224: Answer and Explanation

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Question: 224

6. Which of the following is FALSE about émilie Durkheim's functionalism?

  • A. Functionalism is less concerned about the interactions of small groups.
  • B. Functionalism involves the idea that society is similar to an organism.
  • C. Functionalism encourages people to actively change the status quo of society for their own benefit.
  • D. Functionalism believes that once one part of an institution changes, it will always affect the other parts of the institution.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

Functionalism discourages people from changing the norm because it emphasizes the idea of stability through the universal agreement to abide by the norms of society (choice C is false and therefore, the correct answer). Functionalism focuses on society as a whole rather than the individual aspects of society (choice A is true and can be eliminated). Organic solidarity is an idea within functionalism that compares society to an organism (choice B is true and can be eliminated). Functionalists believe that if one part of the system changes, then the rest of the system will have to adjust to the dysfunction until social stability can be restored (choice D is true and can be eliminated).

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