Functionalism

Question 1

Who are the main functionalist thinkers?

Answer 1

Emile Durkheim
Talcott Parsons
Davis + Moore

Question 2

What do they examine?

Answer 2

• How societies stick together.
• How shared values keep people together.
• How institutions keep society predictable and orderly.

Question 3

What do they recognise about insitutions?

Answer 3

Some functionalists (like Durkheim) recognised that things could go wrong.
However, functionalists believe institutions provide positive functions.

Question 4

Do they focus on inequality?

Answer 4

Not really.

Functionalists pay little attention to inequality, conflict and social divisions.

Question 5

What are the three main functions of education?

Answer 5

Socialisation: Instil shared beliefs and values.
Skills Provision: Skills taught that are needed for the economy.
Role Allocation: Education allocates roles best suiting to the individual’s skillset.

Question 6

What does socialisation do for society?

Answer 6

It maintains society and strengthens social solidarity.

Question 7

What is Durkheim’s view of socialisation?

Answer 7

Moral responsibilities need to be emphasised and the teaching of history helps develop loyalty to one’s society - this creates a shared identity.

Question 8

What does Durkheim say is undermining social solidarity?

Answer 8

Individualism in modern society - this can lead to anomie.

Question 9

What does Parsons believe the role of secondary socialisation is?

Answer 9

It bridges the gap between the particularistic values of the family and the universalistic values of wider society, enforcing meritocratic values.

Question 10

What is the purpose of the bridge between the family and wider society?

Answer 10

It produces a value consensus - there is order and predictability in life.

Question 11

What economic theory is functionalism similar to?

Answer 11

Human Capital Theory: Investment in humans through education is like investment in new machinery.

Question 12

What skills does the education system teach?

Answer 12

Generic Skills - Literacy and numeracy.

Specific skills for certain occupations.

Question 13

Why are longer periods of education becoming necessary?

Answer 13

Division of Labour is becoming more complex so occupational roles are becoming more specialised as a result - takes 10 years to become a Dr.

Question 14

Who sees the education system as allocating roles?

Answer 14

Davis and Moore (1945)

Question 15

How are jobs allocated?

Answer 15

Through examinations and qualifications.

Question 16

Why is role allocation seen as fair?

Answer 16

It is based on meritocracy:

The most important jobs receive higher pay as they are held by the most capable.

Question 17

What do exams encourage?

Answer 17

They encourage competition, hard work, and individual achievement - those who work hardest are rewarded with higher pay.

Question 18

Why do functionalists believe meritocracy is fair?

Answer 18

They see people as having equality of opportunity within education.

Question 19

What is the issue with the functionalist emphasis on positives?

Answer 19

They ignore dysfunctional aspects of education - some groups may benefit more than others.

Question 20

Why might someone say socialisation is ethnocentric?

Answer 20

As it does not take into account multicultural societies where cultural differences may not be able to reconciled within education.

Question 21

How does Paul Willis criticise socialisation?

Answer 21

He says schools do not succeed in socialising students - there are those that do not conform.

Question 22

What evidence shows that Britain does not provide the skills needed for the economy?

Answer 22

Britain lags behind other countries - 26/65 for maths ability at 15. It cannot compete globally.
Vocational education has a low status in the UK - Gove.

Question 23

Why is role allocation not always meritocratic?

Answer 23

It ignores the effect of social divisions - pays no heed to private education. There is no equality of opportunity.

Nepotism may be involved in people getting better jobs.