Education Key Terms

Question 1

What is Functionalism?

Answer 1

• theory rooted in work of Emile Durkheim, formalised by Talcott Parsons
• examines institutions in terms of how they contribute to the smooth running of society

Question 2

What is the Social Democratic theory?

Answer 2

• approach to social policy/education
• emphasises role of state in encouraging social justice/equality of opportunity by providing basic services
  e. g. education, health care & social security free/right for all

Question 3

What is the New Right theory?

Answer 3

• political movement which influenced Con Gov policies 1979 onwards
• Emphasised individualism/self-reliance/replacement of state planning & control by free markets/competition

Question 4

What is Divisions of labour?

Answer 4

• way work is divided among members of a social group

Question 5

What is Universalistic standards?

Answer 5

• set of rules applied uniformly to all members of a social group
• standards/values used to judge everyone as a whole = judged by same standard

Question 6

What is Particularistic standards?

Answer 6

• set of rules which is specific to an individual within a group
• judgments made based on family connections/relation

Question 7

What is Social Solidarity?

Answer 7

• Functionalist concept = sense of unity/connectedness that individuals feels towards their society based on shared values/beliefs
• important in establishing social integration/social order

Question 8

What is a Structuralist sociologist?

Answer 8

• those who examine society as social system, explore how institutions (education, family, religion..) operate together to make society work
• argue these structures shape individuals leading them to behave in certain ways

Question 9

What is Cultural deprivation?

Answer 9

• lacking/deficient in attitudes/values which might affect achievement in education compared to material factors

Question 10

What is Counterculture?

Answer 10

• beliefs/lifestyle of a group who are opposed to the dominant culture

Question 11

What is Cream-skimming?

Answer 11

• schools/institutions selecting most able pupils to attend

Question 12

What is a Comprehensive school?

Answer 12

• type of school attended by all children regardless ability

Question 13

What is Industrialisation?

Answer 13

• process whereby manufacturing takes over from agriculture as most important component in society’s economy

Question 14

What is a Conflict Perspective?

Answer 14

• group of theories (Feminism/Marxism), emphasises way in which society is maintained to benefit one group at expense of another

Question 15

What is Collectivism?

Answer 15

• Emphasis on social group as more important than individuals within

Question 16

What is Meritocracy?

Answer 16

• system where most important/well rewarded positions in society allocated based on merit/ability

Question 17

What is Anomie?

Answer 17

• state of chaos, which society lacks a shared set of norms/values to guide behaviour

Question 18

What is a Consensus Perspective?

Answer 18

• examine society in terms of how it is maintained for the ‘common good’

Question 19

What is Legitimation?

Answer 19

• process of making inequalities/exploitation seem fair/just

Question 20

What is an instrumental relationship?

Answer 20

• based on self-interest

e. g. shop assistant helps customers as their wage is dependent on people buying things