Education - Functionalism Flashcards
What role does education play in a functionalist society?
Maintaining the functionality of society
What is social solidarity?
(Emile Durkheim)
When everyone in a society understands and believs in the norms and values, creating a cohesive and functioning society
How does education create social solidarity?
It transmits accepted norms and values from generation to generation and individuals learn about the history of their society, giving a sense of common identity
What are specialist skills?
(Emile Durkheim)
The skills education teachers for specific jobs in different fields.
These are beneficial to society as without them society would not be able to function optimally.
What is role allocation?
(Davis and Moore)
Selecting students to fit into the job roles that are needed by society.
(Example: a high-achieving student is likely to end up in a highly professional job)
What is meritocracy?
(Talcott Parsons)
People being judged and rewarded based on their abilities and nothing else
How do Davis and Moore feel about role allocation?
They are aware that it is unequal and unfair for the individual but as functionalism is only concerned with society as a whole, this does not matter
What is ascribed status?
Status given to individuals at birth
