Functionalism Flashcards
(8 cards)
What is functionalism?
Founded by French sociologist Emile Durkheim (1893). Theory rests on idea that society is based on social order and stability. His goal was to explain how this was created and maintained.
Durkheim and parson used an organic analogy to explain social order by making a comparison between society and human body. Society is composed of different parts and performs functions to enable society to achieve social order and stability.
this theory explains how each part of society contributes to solidarity, value consensus and equilibrium. If these conditions are in place social order is possible.
What is social solidarity?
what is value consensus?
what is equilibrium?
-Group/ community or society achieves stability, integration, unity, cohesion. Members have a sense of togetherness and belonging.
-Group/ community or society share important norm, values and belief. There is an agreement on what’s important.
-balance, stability within society/ group/ community.
What’s Durkheim perspective on education?
He argues education helps social solidarity and value consensus by transmitting norms, beliefs and values to all. Education welds a mass of individuals into a whale by fixing into children the essential similarities that collective life demands. Helps to integrate people more closely into society to a larger social unit.
school follows a standardised curriculum all pupil regardless of their gender, class or ethnicity exposed to the same info, knowledge, culture teachings. The effect of transmission of the core culture via the education system to promote a vale consensus on central norms and values. Despite diversity of individual life experiences to help produce homogeneous society.
it prepares individuals for interaction with members of society in terms of general rules and standards which contributes to social order and equilibrium. He claims modern industrial economies have a complex division of labour and education acts as a vehicle that develops them as it provides an adequate supply of trained people for specialist roles.
What is parsons perspective on education?
Sees school as vital secondary source of socialisation which acts as bridge between fam and society. School becomes the focal socialising agency tht prepares young people for their adult roles, encouraging them to be a highly motivated and achievement orientated. In fam children judged by pluralistic standards, not by formal standard however in society there judged by universalistic standards which are applied to all members (status is achieved not ascribed). Success in schools is achieved by meritocratic principles.
What is Davis and Moore perspective on education?
Education prepares for work and links to the stratification system. It proves ground for ability a selective agency allocating people to roles according to ability. They link it to social inequality and argue inequality is necessary to ensure most important roles in society are filled by most talented. Not everyone is equally talented so society offer higher rewards encouraging everyone to compete and select the most talented. Sort individuals in terms of their talents and abilities which allocates them to diff set/stream provides them with curriculum ensure they fulfil their potential.
What is Blau and Duncan perspective on education?
Modern economy depends on its prosperity using its human capital (workers skills) meritocratic system does the best as each person is allocated to the job best suited to their abilities. Make effective use of their abilities to maximise productivity.
Evaluate functionalist view on education.
-Critics argue school does not always promote social solidarity, unity and integration as many don’t like school and suffer from bullying.
-vast array evidence that equal opportunities do not exist in education which undermines the functionalist view that education is meritocracy and success is based on achieved status.( 8 private schools sent 1310 pupil to oxbridge whereas 2900 state only sent 1220.
-interactionist wrong argues over socialised view of people as puppets of society, many don’t passively accept and reject the schools value and rebel against school rules (anti school subcultures).
-marxist critique education that instils the shared values of society as a whole arguing it transmits ruling class ideology.
-Critics argue education does not teach specialised skills adequately. Wolf review found that up to third of 16/19 olds on courses that don’t lead to high education/good jobs.
-New right argue state education fails to adequately prepare people for work
tumin critics David and Moore putting forward a circular argument.
Evaluate functionalist view on education.
-Overlooks ways in school reinforce inequalities (social hierarchy)
-Set/stream doesn’t promote fair & equal distribution of resources.
-Student learn the values, norms & behaviour deemed appropriate to promote stability and social cohesion. Prepares people for work however content does not prepare.
-gender gap & social gap not equal education at the start.
-However many don’t have social solidarity due to feeling isolated/bullied.
-Collectively ignores individual differences and needs of others.
-Ignores the fact some pupil are less able & feel forgotten.
-Argue that they ignore ethnicity centric curriculum so won’t create a sense of social solidarity.
