education sociologists

Question 1

parsons

Answer 1

the education is the main agency of social control, it acts as a bridge between the family and society.
school is based on meritocracy- ability and effort, not money. in school an individual is judged on universalistic standards. schools socialise children into the basic values of the wider society, maintaining value consensus

Question 2

criticisms of parsons

Answer 2

marxists argue that the education system transmits values that benefit the dominant groups in society.
critics question how far role allocation is meritocratic or effective. people with the best qualifications do not always get the top jobs

Question 3

durkheim

Answer 3

major function of education is the transmission of societies norms and values. education (especially history) provides the link between the individual and society. school enables children to learn to cooperate with those who are their family or their friends so they can function in society. rules should be strictly enforced to promote self discipline and for society to run smoothly

Question 4

criticisms of durkheim

Answer 4

marxists argue that the education system transmits ideas that benefit the ruling class ideology rather than society as a whole. some feminists argue that schools transmit patriachal culture
some students accept neither the schools rules nor societies norms and values

Question 5

bowles and gintis

Answer 5

school enforces capitalism and prepare certain people for a lifetime of exploitation. they believe in a myth of meritocracy.
done by:
ruling and obedience to authority
uniform
competition

Question 6

stephen ball

Answer 6

he researched the effects of streaming via a participant observation for 3 years. he found that smarter students were benefitted. the bottom streaming sets were at a disadvantage and discouraged bottom sets calling them mentally retarded

Question 6

paul willis

Answer 6

studied 12 working class boys for 3 years.
saw how they join deviant subcultures and rejected school and due to this they get low grades and go into working class jobs

Question 7

howard becker

Answer 7

teachers have a bias towards white middle class girls (ideal pupil)
labelling leads to a self fulfilling prophecy

Question 8

ball, bowe and gerwitz

Answer 8

used a range of methods to look at the effect of marketisation and parental choice. they found that increased parental choice and league tables led to pressure for schools to introduce setting and streaming and to focus on higher ability students to improve their exam results. middle class parents were better able to use their choices to get their children into higher achieving schools