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AS Sociology > Education: Theories > Flashcards

Education: Theories Flashcards

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Sociology 101 flashcards
1
Q

What are the four main theorists in investigating education?

A

Functionalists
Marxists
The New Right
NeoLiberalists

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2
Q

What are the three major attributes to the functionalist perspective of education?

A

To create and sustain social solidarity
Functionalism is a Conservative view
Socialisation enables societies basic needs for social order

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3
Q

Who are the four functionalist theorists?

A

Durkheim 1903
Parsons 1961
Davis and Moore 1945
Blau and Duncan

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4
Q

According to Durkheim what are the two purposes of education?

A

Social solidarity

Specialist skills

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5
Q

What is meant by Social Solidarity as a function of education?

A

Transmitting shared culture helps society not to fall apart. For example teaching the same history through the natural curriculum

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6
Q

What is a problem with Durkheims theory of Social Solidarity?

A

It is not everybody’s history, globalisation has meant the National Curriculum is not relevant to most people

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7
Q

What is meant by Specialist Skills as a function of education?

A

We learn specialist skills to be a member of the workforce for example Languages and first aid.

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8
Q

What is the problem with Durkheims theory of Specialist Skills?

A

Most of what we learn in schools is not transferable to work for example silent exams.

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9
Q

According to Parsons 1961 what are the 3 purposes of education?

A

Secondary Socialisation
Meritocracy
Achieved Status

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10
Q

What is meant by Secondary Socialisation as a function of education?

A

Teaches us Universalistic values that enable us to function within society for example the four British values.

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11
Q

What are the four British Values?

A

Democracy
Rule of Law
Mutual respect/tolerance of others
Individual liberty

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12
Q

What is wrong with Parsons theory of secondary Socialisation?

A

Some free schools don’t teach these values like respect for others because they don’t have to follow the national curriculum.

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13
Q

What is the difference between Universalistic values and Particularistic Values?

A

Particularistic Values - these are exclusive values and beliefs learned through the family, these could include things like racism which is unacceptable in society.

Universalistic Values - these are universal values accepted by society learned through education, these include respect for others. They serve as a bridge between education and the workplace

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14
Q

What is meant by Meritocracy as a function of education?

A

Where there is inequality but it is based on ability. So the best people get the best jobs. School is a miniature of of wider society and prepares you for with equal opportunity and achievement.

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15
Q

What is wrong with Parsons theory of Meritocracy?

A

Not everyone has the same chances for example paying for private education and people’s background

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16
Q

What is meant by achieved status as a function of education?

A

The social position a person takes voluntarily that reflects ability and merit. Education allows you to be socially mobile.

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17
Q

What is the difference between ascribed status and achieved status?

A

Ascribed Status - the social status assigned at birth

Achieved Status - social position a person takes voluntarily

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18
Q

What is the function of education according to Davis and Moore 1945?

A

Role allocation

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19
Q

What is meant by Role allocation as a function of education according to Duncan and Moore?

A

This is necessary for the best people to get the best jobs, some people are more able and education sifts them out: it creates competition and a more productive society.

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20
Q

What is wrong with Davis and Moore’s theory of Role allocation?

A

Education is not meritocratic because schools discriminate against some groups.

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21
Q

What is the function of education according to Blau and Duncan?

A

Human Capital

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22
Q

What is meant by Human capital as function of education?

A

The modern economy depends on best using human capital. Giving the best jobs the best pay.

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23
Q

What is wrong with Blau and Duncan’s theory of Human capital?

A

Some very important jobs are not paid appropriately for example public services.

24
Q

What are three Marxist theorists?

A

Althusser 1971
Bowles and Gintis
Willis 1977

25
Q

What are the four functions of education according to Bowles and Gintis?

A

The Correspondance Principle
Role allocation
The hidden curriculum
Myth of meritocracy

26
Q

What is meant by the Correspondence Principle as a function of education?

A

Bowles and Gintis’s study into Schooling into capitalist America highlights that in a capitalist society school mirrors the workplace.

27
Q

Suggest two ways in which school mirrors the workplace?

A

Hierarchy of Authority - Head,Teacher, Pupils / Boss, Supervisors, Workers

Alienation - pupils lack control over education/ workers lack control over production

28
Q

What is meant by Role allocation as a function of education according to Bowles and Gintis?

A

Rather than the most talented getting the best jobs, Marxists believe it is those that are most conformist and obedience that have the qualities of a future workforce that get the best jobs

29
Q

What is meant by the Hidden Curriculum as a function of education?

A

The correspondence Principle operates through the hidden curriculum. Pupils accept hierarchy because it becomes the normal way to think

30
Q

What is meant by the myth of meritocracy as a function of education?

A

Success is based on class background not ability, by promoting the claim that rewards are based on ability persuades workers to accept subordinate role.

31
Q

What is the function of education according to Althusser?

A

The ideological state apparatus

32
Q

What is meant by the ideological state apparatus as a function of education?

A

Capitalists are able to hold onto power because they control the state
Ideological state apparatus - controls people’s ideas and beliefs like education and religion

Repressive state apparatus - the working class are forced to comply with the middle class through the courts and police.

33
Q

What are the 2 functions of the ideological state apparatus?

A

Reproduction - reproduces class inequality by failing working class children and ensuring the get the same jobs

Legitimisation -legitimises inequality by introducing ideologies that disguise its true cause

34
Q

What are the two functions of education according to Willis?

A

The Counter school culture

Class inequality

35
Q

What is meant by the Counter school culture as a function of education?

A

Studying 12 working class boys from Wolverhampton that implies the working class are obedient. They can resist the hidden curriculum and authority by creating counter schools cultures and flaunting rules.

36
Q

What is meant by Class inequality as a function of education according to Willis?

A

By resisting the school ideology they guarantee they will fail and will endure manual work, reproducing class inequality.

37
Q

What is a problem of Willis Theory?

A

It is romanticisation

It is romanticising the lads as heroes despite their anti school culture

38
Q

What is a problem with Marxists view overall?

A

It is deterministic and assumes you will fail if you are from the working class

39
Q

What is a strength of the Marxists view of education

A

Hey expose the myth of meritocracy where not everyone has an equal chance

40
Q

What do Feminists say about the Marxists view?

A

They argue that not only do schools reproduce class inequality but patriarchy as well. Willis’s study is absent of females.

41
Q

What do NeoLiberalists think the state shouldn’t do?

A

They shouldn’t provide public services like health welfare and education

42
Q

What are the three functions of education according to NeoLiberalists?

A

Competition
Privatisation
Free market economy

43
Q

What is meant by competition as a function of education according to NeoLiberalists?

A

To drive up standards schools should compare through league tables, Ofsted and open days

44
Q

What is meant by privatisation as a function of education according to NeoLiberalists?

A

Schools should be run like a business where certain jobs are outsourced like exam marking

45
Q

What is meant by free market economy as a function of education according to Neoliberalists?

A

With competition and privatisation we live in a free market meaning parents have the choice where to send their children

46
Q

What theorist are similar to the New Right?

A

Functionalists

47
Q

What are the two functions of education according to the New Right?

A

Social Solidarity

Meritocracy

48
Q

Name a socialist of the New Right

A

Chubb and Moe 1990

49
Q

How does the New Right differ from Functionalists?

A

The New Right believe the current education system is failing

50
Q

What are the two reasons the New Right give as reasons for failing education?

A

One size fits all

Lower Standards

51
Q

What is meant by one size fits all as a reason for failing education?

A

The state can not meet everyones needs so in state education it means one size fits all.

52
Q

What is meant by Lower Standards as an explanation of failing education?

A

State run education is not accountable to those who use them. Schools who get poor results do not have to change. It results in a less qualified workforce.

53
Q

Who explored the reality of lower standards in education?

A

Chubb and Moe 1990

54
Q

What was Chubb and Moët study?

A

They studied the US education system and found pupils from low income families did 5% in private schools. This proves state education is not meritocratic

55
Q

What was Chubb and Moes solution to failing education?

A

They proposed state education should be marketised making them accountable to its consumers. Giving parents vouchers to spend on education would make schools responsive.

56
Q

According to the New Right what are the two functions the state should have in education?

A

Competition - create the framework for competition by publishing league tables

Curriculum - thy ensure national shared culture though teaching of British history

57
Q

What is a problem of the New Right perspective?

A

Some argue the problems are a results of inadequate funding not state education.

AS Sociology (14 decks)

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