# Functional prerequisites

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In [sociological](/source/sociology) research, '''functional prerequisites''' are the [basic needs](/source/basic_needs) ([food](/source/food), shelter, [clothing](/source/clothing), and [money](/source/money)) that an individual requires to live above the [poverty line](/source/poverty_line).<ref>[Talcott Parsons](/source/Talcott_Parsons), [Bryan S. Turner](/source/Bryan_S._Turner_(sociologist)).  ''The Social System''  page 26-27.  Routledge & Keagan Paul Ltd. 1951</ref> Functional prerequisites may also refer to the factors that allow a [society](/source/society) to maintain [social order](/source/social_order).

On the other hand, Parsons argued any successful social system has four functional prerequisites:
* Adaptation
* Goal attainment
* Integration
* Pattern maintenance

Adaptation – To survive, any society needs the basics of food and shelter. Having these gives any society control over its environment. A society needs a functioning economy to provide this.

Goal attainment – all societies must provide collective goals of some sort for its members to aspire it. Governments set goals such as New Labour setting a target of 50% of school graduates to attend university. To facilitate meeting such goals, governments provide resources, laws, and other institutional mechanisms.

Integration – all societies need a legal system that mediates conflict and protects the social system from breaking down.

Pattern maintenance – Institutions like education and the family reaffirm the essential values needed for society to function. (For Parsons the key institution in passing on such basic values is religion.)

==See also==
*[Maslow's hierarchy of needs](/source/Maslow's_hierarchy_of_needs)

== References ==
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Category:Sociological terminology

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