CONSENSUS THEORIES

Question 1

what is social solidarity

Answer 1

Education unites us and gives us a sense of social cohesion through teaching us about our shared heritage in subjects like history

Question 2

what theorist explores social solidarity

Answer 2

Durkheim

Question 3

what is meant by specialist skills

Answer 3

Education provides students with the specialist skills they need for the complex division of modern labour

Question 4

what theorist explores specialist skills

Answer 4

Durkheim

Question 5

what is meant by role allocation

Answer 5

Students are sifted and sorted into their future roles based upon their ability – this is done through promoting meritocracy

Question 6

what sociologists researched role allocation

Answer 6

Davis and Moore

Question 7

how does education create a bridge between home and society

Answer 7

Education changes the values of home into the values of wider society, from ascribed status to achieved, particularistic to universal values

Question 8

what sociologist researches about bridge between home and society

Answer 8

Parsons

Question 9

how does education socialise into value consensus

Answer 9

Education socialises students in the agreed norms and values of society or the value consensus

Question 10

what sociologist researched value consensus

Answer 10

Parsons

Question 11

define meritocracy

Answer 11

a society where jobs and pay are allocated based on an individuals talent and acheivements not their social status. individuals who work hard will be rewarded in society

Question 12

define socialisation

Answer 12

process where individuals learn the norms and values of society leading to social cohesion and a functional society

Question 13

define social solidarity

Answer 13

societies are strengthened and organised through shared goals, standards, morals and objectives

Question 14

define particularistic value

Answer 14

social norms and values that are specific to a particular group or society. shape individuals behaviour and interactions. learnt through primary socialisation

Question 15

define universal values

Answer 15

norms and values of a wider society through which value consensus can be achieved, leading to social cohesion and solidarity

Question 16

define value consensus

Answer 16

shared set of norms and values

Question 17

define ascribed status

Answer 17

concept that explains how individuals in society are positioned based on inherent characteristics such as race, gender and family background

Question 18

define achieved status

Answer 18

position in society which individuals gain through their own efforts, rather than being born into it eg education

Question 19

what is a example of social solidarity

Answer 19

british values, teaching history

Question 20

what is an example of teaching specialist skills

Answer 20

vocational education, apprenterships

Question 21

what is an example of role allocation

Answer 21

setting and streaming

Question 22

what is an example of preparing students for wider society

Answer 22

PSHCE classes, hidden curriculum

Question 23

what is an example of socialisation into value consensus

Answer 23

national curriculum, rules and regulations within school, uniforms

Question 24

how does promoting social solidarity have an impact on minority ethnic students

Answer 24

social solidarity may be promoted through shared heritage. this may isolate minority students who dont share this heritage

Question 25

how does teaching specialist skills have an impact on gendered subject choice

Answer 25

gendered stereotypes for careers may be reinforced in schools eg science for boys, english for girls

Question 26

how does socialising children into value consensus impact working class identity

Answer 26

value consensus is typically based on ruling class values. this leads to clash with working class values who dont conform and form subcultures

Question 27

how does role allocation impact setting and streaming of WC students

Answer 27

students who conform/display right attitudes/attributes are labelled positively. WC are less likely to be labelled positively therefore seen as less able and put in lower sets and streams

Question 28

how does providing a bridge between home and family reinforce gender stereotypes

Answer 28

gender stereotypes within schools eg gendered subject choice and gender socialisation reinforces sexist ideas

Question 29

evaluate the fact that the education system is meritocratic

Answer 29

marxists argue meritocracy is a myth that reproduces and legitimises inequality by making WC students think they have little ability

Question 30

evaluate the fact that students are allocated to their future roles based upon the ability they show in school

Answer 30

However, this does not take into account the ‘old school tie network’ – 8 public schools provide over 50% of Oxbridge Intake, Public School connections in the Government, social capital is more valuable than educational capital

Question 31

evaluate the fact that the education system passes on the norms and values of society, so students are prepared to play a functioning role in wider society

Answer 31

marxists would argue that the education system passes on norms and values of the elite as they control education. this leads to reproduction of inequalities as WC less likely to have knowledge of these norms and values

Question 32

evaluate the fact that schools teach students the specialist skills they need for the complex division of labour in modern society

Answer 32

high levels of unemployment between 18-24 year olds, increasing graduate unemployment, further work based training required, employers complaining of skill gaps in school

Question 33

evaluate the fact that schools reinforce a sense of social solidarity in their students which gives students a sense of their shared heritage with others

Answer 33

WC and minority ethnic groups do not always share the same heritage as the MC upon whose values the education is based upon. ethnocentric curriculum based on white MC values.

Question 34

what is a strength of the education system being meritocratic

Answer 34

system is fair - recent increase of number of students from state schools attending russel group unis

Question 35

what is a critism of the fact that education promotes social solidarity

Answer 35

british values can cause friction between different ethnic groups

Question 36

what is an alternative to children being socialised into value consensus of society through education

Answer 36

in post modern society norms and values are diverse as is the school experience

Question 37

what is a limitation to the fact that education provides students with the specialist skills to achieve in wider society

Answer 37

there are a large number of students who are not in education, employment or training

Question 38

what is evidence backing up the fact that role allocation suggests that society needs well trained and qualified students to take on more important roles in society

Answer 38

shortages in STEM subjects have a negative impact on the economy - this leads to higher wages being paid in those areas for qualified staff