sociological theories about education Flashcards
(26 cards)
3 functions Durkheim believed schools create
social solidarity (e.g.: through history lessons)
social rules
the division of labour (e.g. through setting and exams)
what 2 values did Talcott Parsons think schools were responsible for
the value of achievement
the value of equality of opportunity
evaluate functionalists view of norms and values taught in education
the norms and values in schools are not necessarily those of society as a whole but those of the m/c
what do the New Right believe the role of education should be focused on
‘the market’ and competition for consumers
5 roles Talcott Parsons thought education had
1 Providing a trained and qualified labour force
2 Meritocracy
3 Providing a bridge the particularistic values and universalistic values
4 Socialisation
5 Passing on society’s culture
which sociologists focused on meritocracy
Davis and Moore
What did Durkheim argue schools were (quote)
‘society in miniature’ – a small scale version of the wider society in which people live and work.
What’s the difference between ‘achieved’ and ‘ascribed’ status
Achieved status is what you work for e.g. succeeding at school while ascribed status is what you’re given by your family.
What did Louis Althusser argue that the main role of education in a capitalist society is
the reproduction of an efficient and obedient work force
How do Bowles and Gintis view meritocracy
It is a mechanism to legitimize social inequality.
What is a ‘false consciousness’
the ruling classes (m/c)controlling the lower classes (w/c) not with physical force but with their m/c ideology
how does Althusser believe education production an efficient and obedient work force
1 transmitting the ideology that capitalism is just and reasonable
2 train future workers to become submissive to authority
What do Bowles and Gintis think of education
they think education is used as a bridge between school and the workplace
How do Bowles and Gintis believe education helps students accept their role in society
School and workplace- school mirrors the workplace
Social inequality - schools legitimise the ‘myth of meritocracy’
whats the difference between the National Curriculum and the Hidden Curriculum
national curriculum is what subjects you have to learn in school
the hidden curriculum is everything you learn outside of the national curriculum, for example wearing a uniform and punctuality and authority
what do feminists argue education does
preparation for leading into the future work force. They argue the gender differences in subject choice in schools come is evidence of a patriarchal society
whats an obvious sign of gender differences in education
subject choices; typicall girls avoid ‘male’ subjects like maths and physics, which are seen as high achieving subjects compared to those girls typically take
an example of discrimination in education history
when the 11-plus exam, the pass mark was set lower for boys than for girls to make certain there roughly equal numbers of boys and girls in grammar schools.
who focused on gender inequality in education
feminists
what is cultural and material deprivation and who though of it
Douglas
cultural deprivation includes the values, attitudes and language
material deprivation include poverty, poor diet, health and housing.
which sociologist studied material deprivation about poor health and the effect it had on students
Marilyn Howard
who believed a parents input/ involvement was an important factor in a child’s educational achievement
J.W.B Douglas
whats some ways Douglas gave for showing how m/c parents show more of an interest in their child’s education
they understand the education system better
they’re more likely to take their child to cultural events that could link to their education
have intellectual conversations at home
they understand the homework/ coursework
reinforce m/c values and expectations
how do the New Right see education
as a form of marketisation
- parents able to ‘shop around’ for their favourite school
