education - functionalism

Question 1

what does emile durkheim state the two main functions of education are?

Answer 1

1. reinforces social solidarity (make people feel part of a community, transmits culture and values, shared set of values brings people together
2. teaches skills needed for society (schools act as a miniature society, school teaches skills needed for work)

Question 2

what is meritocracy?

Answer 2

means that success is based on effort and ability in education and there’s a ladder of opportunity in school and society. harder you work, the higher you climb in society

Parsons

Question 3

what is parsons other belief about education

Answer 3

education acts as a bridge from home to wider society. sees education as a part of secondary socialisation individuals are judged by universalistic standards (same rules) and we have achieved status
so education is an agent of secondary socialisation

Question 4

whos theory is role allocation

Answer 4

Davis and Moore

Question 5

what is role allocation

Answer 5

education selects and sifts for jobs there for inequality is necessary so more skilled people get the most important roles in society