functionalist theories of education

Question 1

introduction of functionalism

Answer 1

• consensus theorists
  -they believe that for society to function effectively, there must be social order and stability otherwise society will collapse
• it is structural as it claims that social structures, such as family and school, perform a number of vital and positive functions for society- both at the societal level and also at an individual level

Question 2

describe durkheim’s belief

Answer 2

• he claimed that the role of the education system was to provide socialisation and value consensus

Question 3

give a brief description of socialisation

Answer 3

• teaching you how to be a functioning member of society
• school = secondary socialisation
  -instills value consensus

Question 4

examples of how schools socialise you (socialisation and social solidarity)

Answer 4

• PSHE
• forms and assembly

Question 5

A03 of Durkheims point of socialisation from schools

Answer 5

• outdated
• modern society is diverse
• racialised/gendered expectations exist

Question 6

give a brief description of social solidarity

Answer 6

• teaching people not to be selfish
• bringing people together
• creating a community
• value consensus

Question 7

give some examples of social solidarity

Answer 7

• uniform
• sports teams
• assembly

Question 8

A03 of durkheims view of social solidarity

Answer 8

• exams divide and create competition between people

Question 9

give an introduction to Parsons’ ideology

Answer 9

• he sees education as performing and important role in terms of establishing shared norms and values
• however, Parsons is particularly interested in how education facilitated role allocation
• For parsons, the education system helps society to be more meritocratic

Question 10

define particularistic VS universalistic values

Answer 10

particularistic= being treated as special and unique
universalistic= everyone being treated as the same, all expected to confirm to the same rules and judged by the same standards

Question 11

describe parsons view in regards to sifting and sorting

Answer 11

• Parsons believes that educations sifts and sorts people into their appropriate jobs
• He argues that this is fair and has nothing to do with family background, gender, ethnicity etc
• education in meritocratic

Question 12

define meritocracy in regards to role allocation

Answer 12

• jobs and pay are allocated based on talent rather than social status
• therefore individuals that work hard will be rewarded

Question 13

what is parsons’ conclusion?

Answer 13

• education allows people to find their own place in society through own efforts rather than inherited status
• in school, everyone is given an equal opportunity to achieve their full potential regardless of background
• anyone who works hard will be rewarded with good grades and ultimately, a good job

Question 14

how can we criticise Parsons?

Answer 14

• statistics show levels of discrimination towards gender/race
• racialised/gendered expectations

Question 15

how does Davis and Moore see the education system?

Answer 15

• they see the education systems main role as allocating students into their ideal future work role
  -It does this via the process of ‘sifting sorting’ individuals so that the best and most talented get the best qualifications. This will allow them to occupy the best and most important roles in society.
  -The EDS provides a means to select and sift people into the social hierarchy
  -In a meritocratic society access to jobs and power, wealth and status are directly linked to educational achievement

Question 16

how do Davis and Moore see the role allocation system?

Answer 16

-They see this as a completely meritocratic process; in order to function effectively, society requires the most talented individuals to be allocated to the most important jobs.
-Those who work hard will be rewarded with a good grades, and ultimately, the best jobs
-As a result, society is more productive because the most able people do the most important jobs, and I’m financially rewarded for their commitment and hard work

Question 17

A03 of Davis and Moore’s role allocation ideology

Answer 17

-non-necessary jobs, such as footballers, are paid more than necessary jobs, such as prison guards

Question 18

what does Shultz argue

Answer 18

• Shultz argues that the high levels of spending on education and training are justified, because it develops peoples knowledge and skills, which cannot be taught at home
  -It develops a country is human capital (workforce)
  E.g. • science to become a doctor

Question 19

Shultz argues that investment in education benefits the wider economy- how?

Answer 19

better qualified workforce
=
Better jobs
=
More taxes

Question 20

why do post-modernists criticise functionalists

Answer 20

• PM argue that the functionalist view of education is Outdated
  -Pre-technology
  -Argues that contemporary is diverse and multicultural and schools do not produce a shared set of norms and values

Question 21

why do feminists criticise functionalists?

Answer 21

-They were writing during a time when education was directed to men
—> this means functionalists failed to account for ways in which girls are disadvantaged by the education system
-believe school system = patriarchal hierarchy
- Hidden curriculum

Question 22

why do Marxists criticise functionalists?

Answer 22

-ascribed status
-No capital to buy e.g. textbooks
- Unlike functionalists, Marxists argue that the education system is not based on equal opportunity

Question 23

how does Wong criticise the functionalist view

Answer 23

• Wong claims that functionalists see children as passive puppets of socialisation, when the process is much more complex and include student – teacher relationships

Question 24

What is an overall criticism of functionalists?

Answer 24

-too optimistic
-In reality the education system is experience negatively

Question 25

Define the core beliefs of functionalism

Answer 25

Functionalism is a ‘structural-consensus theory’ meaning that Functionalists argue that there is a social structure that shapes individual behavior through the process of socialization and that Functionalists believe that a successful society is based on ‘value consensus’ – people agree around a set of shared norms and values. This value consensus enables people to co-operate and to work together to achieve shared goals.