Davis and Moore - The Role of Education

Question 1

What theorists are they?

Answer 1

Functionalists

Question 2

What is role allocation?

Answer 2

Society requires skilled workforce that is fully qualified.

• Prepares students for future roles based on ability.

Question 3

How is role allocation achieved through school?

Answer 3

It sorts students based on ability.

• Promotes social mobility + meritocracy: good grades gained through natural ability + hard work are rewarded with high status job.

Question 4

What is a contemporary application of role allocation?

Answer 4

Setting and streaming: based upon percieved ability.

• Supported by uni entrance such as UCAS: offers are made based on predicted ability.

Question 5

What did marxists argue? (Limitation)

Answer 5

• Meritocracy is a myth which reinforces traditional roles of middle/working class students.
• Legitimises inequality as it shifts the blame of failing onto individuals rather than the education system.

Question 6

What did feminists argue? (Limitation)

Answer 6

Emphasis on male dominated professions support the gender pay gap resulting in feminine professions have lower status.