Eductaion Key Studies Flashcards
(7 cards)
Parsons (functionalist) theory on functions of education
- agent of socialisation and bridge between family and wider society
- education teaches different particularistic and universalistic values
- role allocation and meritocracy (matches pupils to future jobs based on talent) (most able reach top jobs)
Durkheim (functionalist) functions of education
- main function is to transmit shared norms and values of society to build social solidarity
- achieved through lessons such as history
- teaches children specialised skills for work
Bowles and Gintis (Marxist) theory
- correspondence principle
(Between work and school) - school mirrors workplace eg.uniform/hierarchy to create obedient workforce to serve capitalism
- meritocracy is a myth
Paul Willis (Marxist) study
-studies the ‘lads’ (anti-school subculture)
- found they were not obedient but their subculture was similar to wc workplaces
- went on to work in low pay jobs
Ball (study on beachside comprehensive) on banding
-examined the way banding was organised in mixed comprehensive school
-wc students likely to be lower bands
- teachers had different expectations of bands (top encouraged and viewed as hard working/ lower viewed as low ability and more practical jobs)
-mixed ability classes were introduced to reduce this but labelling still occurred
Ball, Bowe and Gerwirtz on school competition
- parental choice and competition has increased inequalities in education
- middle class parents have more choice (material and cultural capital advantage)
- schools focus on image and results and compete with one another through results, facilities etc
Halsey, Heath and Ridge on boys social class
-examined social class and educational destinations of large survey of men
- respondents social class based on fathers occupation (divided into 3 types), service, intermediate, working
- service class 11x more likely to go to university than working class
