Functionalism and education

Question 1

What does Durkheim believe the two functions of education are?

Answer 1

1) Creating and maintaining social solidarity
2) Specialist skills

Question 2

How does education create and maintain social solidarity?

Answer 2

• Individuals must feel apart of the community so they dont pursue selfish desires, one way of doing this is through socialisation
• The education system creates social solidarity by transmitting societies norms and values to each generation, which can be seen through history lessons which creates a sense of shared heritage.

Question 3

What are specialist skills in regards to education?

Answer 3

• The modern economy has complex divisions of labour, each person has a role which makes the economy stable.
• Each person must have necessary specialist skills to perform their role which is done in the education system

Question 4

What function does Parsons believe education does?

Answer 4

• Sees school as the bridge between the family and wider society, its the focal socialising agency.
• Education has universal standards and rules and you earn your status through meritocracy. This mirrors the work place

Question 5

What do Davis and Moore say about Role allocation?

Answer 5

• The education system selects and allocates pupils to their future work roles by assessing individuals strengths

Question 6

Why do Davis and Moore believe inequality is necessary?

Answer 6

• They argue it’s necessary to ensure the most important roles are ascribed to the most talented people - they work the hardest for it.