functionalist perspective Flashcards
(28 cards)
consensus theory
based on shared values and norms in society.
macro theory
looks at society from a top down perspective
biological analogy
each part of society is inter-related and connected with each other
how do functionalists view society as a system
each part of society performs a function that benefits society as a whole
what do functionalists believe society needs in order to work
has to be a collective conscience, value consensus and social order
how do all functionalists collectively view the education system as a function of society
provides secondary socialisation and teaches specialist skills to maintain social order and social cohesion
3 strengths of functionalist perspective
-research and evidence collected is often high in reliability
-looks at society as a whole/the bigger picture
-it is a macro theory
3 weaknesses of the functionalist perspective
-based on white middle class conservative values and families
-ignores class,gender and ethnic conflict
-looks at society through rose tinted glasses
what did Durkheim believe the education system helped to do
created social solidarity and teaches specialist skills and knowledge to allow individuals to play a part in modern industry.
social solidarity
when individual members must feel themselves to be a part of a single body community
how does the education system create social solidarity and what happens without it
-does it by transmitting society’s cultures from one generation to the next.
-without it everyone would pursue their own selfish desires
how did Durkheim believe education provided specialist skills (formal and informal curriculum)
formal curriculum- vocational education, e.g. health and social care and business
informal curriculum- Dofe and extracurricular
what did Blau and Duncan believe education provided
believed human capital is maximized since education is based on meritocratic principles
summarise the human capitalist theory
rests on the assumption that education is a way society can bring about and sustain economic growth.
it is believed schools, colleges and unis can act as a catalyst for economic growth because they provide highly educated and trained workers to effectively use advanced productive technologies in the modern industry
how did Parsons see the education system to create a bridge between families and wider society
school is a part of primary socialisation based on meritocratic principles.
in which it changes children from being judged by particularistic rules (specific to a childs family) into universtic rules which they are judged on throughout their life
what did Parsons believe the educations system provided/is
school is a focal socialising agency and is meritocratic.
how does Parsons see the education system to be meritocratic
he believes we all sit the same exam with the same pass mark and we all pass or fail dependent on our own efforts
how did Davis and Moore view the education system to help society
through role allocation schools perform the function of selecting and allocating pupils to their future work roles (by testing students aptitudes and abilities and their achieved status)
what did Davis and Moore argue
inequality is necessary to ensure that the most important roles in society are filled by the most talented people.
having higher rewards for most talented people encourages everyone to compete for them and society can select the most talented individuals to fill these positions.
social solidarity
where the education system makes students feel that they are part of a single body or community
meritocracy
a system where people are rewarded on their ability
particulrastic rules/values
rules and values that are unique to a family which children learn
universalistic rules/values
where rules are learnt in school which reflect wider society
bridge
where school acts as a link between the family and work
