functionalist views Flashcards
(23 cards)
What are the 5 functions of education according to functionalists?
Who created them?
social solidarity - Durkheim
bridge theory - Parsons
meritocracy - Parsons
specialised skills - Parsons
role allocation - Davis and Moore
What is Durkheim’s theory?
social solidarity
What does Durkheim mean by social solidarity?
education socialises people into shared norms and values to maintain social solidarity
What is an example of Durkheim’s theory in education?
uniform - same community, all equal, prepare for dress code in work
What does feminists say about Durkheim’s theory?
sexist- boys uniform less controlled then boys
What do marxists say about Durkheim’s theory?
used to make you conform and not question the rules
uniform= false consciousness - implying students are all the same when they are not
What are Parsons’ theories (combination of 2)?
bridge theory
meritocracy
What is Parsons’ bridge theory?
school bridges the family to wider society
What standards does the home teach according to Parsons?
paticularisitic standards - eg. rules differ between each sibling
What standards do schools teach according to Parsons?
universalistic standards - eg. everyone is treated the same
What does Parsons mean by his meritocracy theory?
school allows students to achieve their status through hard work
Why do marxists say meritocracy is a myth?
class changes attainment - have unequal chances in school
Why is meritocracy not possible for some students?
have impairments
different school performances - eg. bad school= unable to achieve status
What is Parson’s theory?
specialised skills
What is Parsons specialised skills theory?
school teaches skills for a specific future occupation so they can play a specific role in society to maintain consensus
What are examples of Parsons theory?
nurse needs biology for knowledge on human anatomy, chemistry for dosage/ medicine knowledge
What are some problems with Parsons theory for beyond school?
nurses need compassion and empathy - expressive traits
pilots need to be rich to afford training - middle/upper class
What is Davis and Moore’s theory?
role allocation
What does Davis and Moore’s role allocation mean?
hard working people get the best results in school- seived to the best jobs in the workplace
How do schools allocate roles/ achievements?
awards, certificates, grades
How does school mirror the workplace to encourage the theory of role allocation?
exam system- encourage competition + hard work to achieve
similar to working harder for better paid jobs
What theorists support functionalist views? why?
New Right- meritocracy makes people responsible for their own achievement
harder workers= less burden on the state for welfare/benefits
What are 3 criticisms of functionalist views?
rose tinted view- ignores structural inequalities
not all cultures share the same norms + values
education doesn’t always teach specialised skills needed for work
