CONSENSUS THEORIES Flashcards
what is social solidarity
Education unites us and gives us a sense of social cohesion through teaching us about our shared heritage in subjects like history
what theorist explores social solidarity
Durkheim
what is meant by specialist skills
Education provides students with the specialist skills they need for the complex division of modern labour
what theorist explores specialist skills
Durkheim
what is meant by role allocation
Students are sifted and sorted into their future roles based upon their ability – this is done through promoting meritocracy
what sociologists researched role allocation
Davis and Moore
how does education create a bridge between home and society
Education changes the values of home into the values of wider society, from ascribed status to achieved, particularistic to universal values
what sociologist researches about bridge between home and society
Parsons
how does education socialise into value consensus
Education socialises students in the agreed norms and values of society or the value consensus
what sociologist researched value consensus
Parsons
define meritocracy
a society where jobs and pay are allocated based on an individuals talent and acheivements not their social status. individuals who work hard will be rewarded in society
define socialisation
process where individuals learn the norms and values of society leading to social cohesion and a functional society
define social solidarity
societies are strengthened and organised through shared goals, standards, morals and objectives
define particularistic value
social norms and values that are specific to a particular group or society. shape individuals behaviour and interactions. learnt through primary socialisation
define universal values
norms and values of a wider society through which value consensus can be achieved, leading to social cohesion and solidarity
define value consensus
shared set of norms and values
define ascribed status
concept that explains how individuals in society are positioned based on inherent characteristics such as race, gender and family background
define achieved status
position in society which individuals gain through their own efforts, rather than being born into it eg education
what is a example of social solidarity
british values, teaching history
what is an example of teaching specialist skills
vocational education, apprenterships
what is an example of role allocation
setting and streaming
what is an example of preparing students for wider society
PSHCE classes, hidden curriculum
what is an example of socialisation into value consensus
national curriculum, rules and regulations within school, uniforms
how does promoting social solidarity have an impact on minority ethnic students
social solidarity may be promoted through shared heritage. this may isolate minority students who dont share this heritage
how does teaching specialist skills have an impact on gendered subject choice
gendered stereotypes for careers may be reinforced in schools eg science for boys, english for girls
how does socialising children into value consensus impact working class identity
value consensus is typically based on ruling class values. this leads to clash with working class values who dont conform and form subcultures
how does role allocation impact setting and streaming of WC students
students who conform/display right attitudes/attributes are labelled positively. WC are less likely to be labelled positively therefore seen as less able and put in lower sets and streams
how does providing a bridge between home and family reinforce gender stereotypes
gender stereotypes within schools eg gendered subject choice and gender socialisation reinforces sexist ideas
evaluate the fact that the education system is meritocratic
marxists argue meritocracy is a myth that reproduces and legitimises inequality by making WC students think they have little ability
evaluate the fact that students are allocated to their future roles based upon the ability they show in school
However, this does not take into account the ‘old school tie network’ – 8 public schools provide over 50% of Oxbridge Intake, Public School connections in the Government, social capital is more valuable than educational capital
evaluate the fact that the education system passes on the norms and values of society, so students are prepared to play a functioning role in wider society
marxists would argue that the education system passes on norms and values of the elite as they control education. this leads to reproduction of inequalities as WC less likely to have knowledge of these norms and values
evaluate the fact that schools teach students the specialist skills they need for the complex division of labour in modern society
high levels of unemployment between 18-24 year olds, increasing graduate unemployment, further work based training required, employers complaining of skill gaps in school
evaluate the fact that schools reinforce a sense of social solidarity in their students which gives students a sense of their shared heritage with others
WC and minority ethnic groups do not always share the same heritage as the MC upon whose values the education is based upon. ethnocentric curriculum based on white MC values.
what is a strength of the education system being meritocratic
system is fair - recent increase of number of students from state schools attending russel group unis
what is a critism of the fact that education promotes social solidarity
british values can cause friction between different ethnic groups
what is an alternative to children being socialised into value consensus of society through education
in post modern society norms and values are diverse as is the school experience
what is a limitation to the fact that education provides students with the specialist skills to achieve in wider society
there are a large number of students who are not in education, employment or training
what is evidence backing up the fact that role allocation suggests that society needs well trained and qualified students to take on more important roles in society
shortages in STEM subjects have a negative impact on the economy - this leads to higher wages being paid in those areas for qualified staff
