Education: Theories

Question 1

Functionalist View: 4 functions of the education system.

Answer 1

1. Passing on of society’s cultures
2. Providing a bridge between the particularistic values and ascribed status of the family and the universalistic values and achieved status of contemporary society.
3. Developing a human capital - a trained and qualified work force
4. Selecting and allocating people for roles in a meritocratic.

Question 2

Passing on of society’s cultures - criticisms

Answer 2

Marxists - society is not built upon a shared consensus and values, ignores the power relationships in society and the power of the ruling classes
Feminists - school passes on patriarchal values and disadvantages men and women

Question 3

Providing a bridge between the particularistic values and ascribed status of the family and the universalistic values and achieved status of contemporary society- criticisms

Answer 3

Doubt is society is built upon universalistic values, many inherit wealth and factors such as social class are will influence achieved status

Question 4

Developing a human capital - a trained and qualified work force - criticisms

Answer 4

Content learnt in school normally has nothing to do with what a person is taught within school and most occupational jobs involve training on the job

Question 5

Selecting and allocating people for roles in a meritocratic - criticisms

Answer 5

Bowles and Gintis argue that the system disguises inequality and factors such as social class, ethnicity and gender are major influencers in success