Bowles and Gintis (1970) Flashcards
What did they research?
They researched schools in the USA and concluded that the role of education is the reproduction of the workforce.
What is the correspondence theory?
When people believe that there isa link between education and the world of work.
What do they describe education as?
A ‘myth making machine’ designed to justify inequality by promoting the idea that failure is due to lack of hard work rather than injustices and inequalities within the capitalist society.
What do they think about meritocracy?
Educational achievement is based on merit and a path to success in work. Those at the top deserve to be there as they have worked the hardest. Likewise, those at the bottom are to blame themselves.
What is meritocracy?
The harder you work the more successful you will be. E.g if you work hard in school you will get a better job.
What do they think children are taught?
Children are taught more than they need to know for most jobs. I.e they are overeducated.
What happens to the working class?
The working class are scared of loosing their jobs and being replaced meaning they are willing to work for low wages and less likely to take industrial action and strike .
Do they agree that meritocracy is a myth?
Yes.
What is the hidden curriculum?
It teaches the working class the values needed within employment.
What do they believe the hidden curriculum does to people?
The ruling class are able to manipulate the working class. This consists of things that pupils learn informally for their experience of going to school on a day to day basis.
Criticisms?
- If education prepares people for work then why do we have work based training and apprenticeships.
- Not all students with eduction are obedient and passive. -They ignore factors such as gender ethnicity.
- Not everyone passively accepts the rules, that the education system passes on.
