Final answer:
Functionalism views society as similar to a biological organism, with interrelated parts (such as cultural norms and values) working together, much like organs in a body, to meet the needs of individuals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Functionalism, sometimes known as structural-functional theory, indeed views society as akin to a biological organism. This perspective contends that culture, like organs in a body, consists of interrelated parts that work together to meet the biological and social needs of society's members. Herbert Spencer, an English philosopher and biologist, was a notable proponent of this notion, comparing the various social institutions such as government, education, family, healthcare, religion, and the economy to organs that maintain the function of the societal 'body'. In this framework, cultural norms and values serve to sustain the societal system, illustrating the functionalist view that culture is essential for the operation and stability of society.