functionalism - education

Question 1

researcher for social solidarity and what is it

Answer 1

durkheim - education system creates social solidarity eg sports day. transmits society’s culture from one generation to the next. school acts as ‘society in miniature’ (in school and work we have to cooperate with people who arent family or friends)

Question 2

researcher for teaching specialist skills and what is it

Answer 2

durkheim - education teaches individuals specialist skills they need to play as part of social division of labour. eg punctuality

Question 3

researcher for meritocracy

Answer 3

parsons - school = ‘focal socialising agency’ in modern society - acts as a bridge between family (particularistic values) and wide society (universalistic values)
school prepares us to move from family to wider society as school and society are based on meritocratic principles - everyone has same opportunities - indidivudals achieve rewards based on own merit and ability.

Question 4

researcher for role allocation and what is it

Answer 4

davis and moore
1. argues education system performs important allocation or selection role by matching students on basis of talents or abilities to job they are best suited
2. allocation = meritocratic and on examination results
3. therefore schools provide good opportunities for social mobility where social equality thought to be inevitable but functional

Question 5

resaercher for vocational training and what is it

Answer 5

schultz -
1.education system performs a vital role by transferring vocational skills
2. schools or universities etc can provide highly trained and skilled workers who have the ability to make use of modern production tech
3. brings out economic growth
4. functionalists stress benefits of vocational training like apprenticeships which provide on the job training

Question 6

eval - deskilling (to schultz)

Answer 6

functionalists ignore problem of deskilling where work skills quickly become out of date due to pace of new technology