Education concepts Flashcards
The view that all members of society should have the same chance (i.e. opportunity) to succeed. Functionalists see the education system as a ladder of opportunity.
equality of opportunity
The opportunities, or lack of opportunities, to acquire material, social and cultural rewards. In a meritocracy, all social groups ideally experience the same opportunities
life chances
A type of society in which intelligence, ability & effort (i.e. merit) are rewarded through an achievement-orientated and universalistic education system
Meritocracy
The wide range of social institutions and groups that transmit key cultural values and norms to children and adults, building upon and supplementing what has been learnt through primary socialisation in the family. For example, functionalists regard the education system as a bridge between the home and wider society.
Secondary Socialisation
A sense of belonging to a particular social group, community or society. A vital function of the education system is to integrate new members of society into the existing culture, e.g. through teaching History.
social intergration
The unification of diverse groups so that they feel a common sense of mutual interests, community, social integration and a strong sense of belonging to a particular society.
Social Solidarity
Durkheim thought that to operate smoothly a society needed values that were shared by all of its members. If people identify with their society and are committed to its values, then there is social cohesion.
Social cohesion
A set of values used to judge individuals on meritocratic criteria such as examinations, qualifications, skill, ability, suitability etc. Such values are seen as a key characteristic of achievement-orientated societies such as modern Western nations. Unlike particularistic values, which are our own familial values.
Universalism
Suggests that the role of agencies such as education is to socialise members of society into shared norms and values, which is the basis of social order.
value consenus
Davis & Moore’s concept for how schools select and allocate pupils to their future work positions, i.e. education sifts and sorts according to ability.
role allocation
Who does what; how tasks/roles are allocated. Durkheim described a function of the education system as teaching ‘specialist skills’ so society can operate efficiently
Division of Labour
