EDUCATION - Functionalism Flashcards
What are the four functions of education according to Functionalists?
- Social solidarity
- “Skills” = Specialised division of labour
- Secondary Socialisation
- Role allocation
For schools and society to run smoothly, what 2 features are needed to be balanced?
Social control and social cohesion
What do schools reinforce in children for their behaviour?
Positive and negative consequences
Give some examples of the ‘specialised division of labour’?
A mix of different lessons in school and different departments. Children are also taught to obey authority, eg: Teachers.
What does education/schools teach children?
Shared norms and values
What is the definition of ‘capital’?
Wealth/skills
What is the definition of ‘human capital’?
Skills of a worker
What is the definition of ‘social stratification’?
The allocation of individuals and groups based on social hierarchies.
What did Durkheim say about education? HINT = Socialisation and Social Solidarity
The education system passes onto children the cultural and important values of society. This can be achieved by the hidden curriculum and PSHE lessons. This helps to build social solidarity, as children are taught the core values of society (shared norms and values).
What is the definition of ‘particularistic values’?
The values and rules which only apply to a specific person.
What is the definition of ‘universalistic values’?
The values and rules which apply to all members of society.
What did Parsons say about education? HINT = Bridge between family and society + values (primary and secondary socialisation)
He believed that schools provide a link (a bridge) between the family and wider society, which allows students to move from the ascribed status (the one they were born into) and particularistic values of their family, to the meritocratic and universalistic values of wider society.
What did Shultz say about education? HINT = Investment + Human capital + role allocation (It is similar to Parsons’ + Blau and Duncan’s views)
Suggests that investment in education benefits the rest of society, mainly the wider economy. The modern economy and life depends on ‘human capital’ and role allocating in schools (sifting and sorting individuals according to their real skills); they argue that the most qualified people end up in jobs that require the most skills. This benefits society as a whole and the individuals in a society
What did Davis and Moore say about education? HINT = Role allocation + access to jobs
The education systems provide a means to ‘sift and sort’ through people and place them in a specific position in the social hierarchy. In a meritocratic society, access to jobs, power, wealth and status are directly linked to educational achievements.
What is the definition of ‘Hidden Curriculum’?
Hidden curriculum means the informal learning process that happens in schools. It is the side effect of education that teaches children the norms and values of society.
