The role of education in society

Question 1

Key functionalists?

Answer 1

Talcott Parsons
August Comte
Emile Durkheim

Question 2

3 broad functions of education?

Answer 2

Socialisation
Skills provisions
Role allocation

Question 3

Durkheim’s view on education

Answer 3

1903
Two main functions - social solidarity and teaching specialist skills
Education teaches individuals the specialist knowledge and skills to perform their role and contribute to society through the economy

Question 4

Parson’s view on education

Answer 4

1961
Person’s status is achieved not ascribed
Based on individual efforts you will progress → MERITOCRACY

Question 5

Davis and Moore view on education

Answer 5

1945
Third important function of education is role allocation
Schools provide the function of selecting and assessing students and match their skills and abilities to the correct role

Question 6

The Education Act (1870)

Answer 6

Established school boards where schools were inadequate

Question 7

The Fisher Act (1918)

Answer 7

Made state responsible for secondary education

Question 8

What is Marxism?

Answer 8

• A structural conflict theory.
• Structure of society based on the idea that we have class division based on capitalist exploitation.
• Believe it reproduces class inequality by failing each generation of working class pupil and it legitimises class based inequality by teaching students to accept that inequality is inevitable.

Question 9

What does bourgeoisie mean?

Answer 9

Ruling class

Question 10

What does proletariat mean?

Answer 10

Working class