functionalism

Question 1

how do functionalists see education

Answer 1

• As a part of wider social system

Question 2

socialistion + Parsons

Answer 2

• schools = secondary agents of socialisation
• generation by generation transmit + reproduce shared cultural values

Question 3

what shared values does the education system reproduce?

Answer 3

achievemet, competition + individualism

Question 4

how are these shared cultural values transmitted?

Answer 4

• Hidden + academic curricula (social reprdocution)

Question 5

what does the hidden + academic curricula ensure?

Answer 5

• to ensure value consensus + social order

Question 6

define value consensus?

Answer 6

• ppl agreee around a set of shared norms + values + are expected to commit to + enforce

Question 7

social solidarity + Durkheim

Answer 7

• he sated education functions to bring about social intergration + solidaroty + specialist skills

Question 8

Examples of this in education

Answer 8

• History + lanaguage links children to society + affirm to them a sense of belonging
• e.g. Wales, teaches welsh language as compulsory in schools –> reminds children of Welsh heritage

Question 9

what is social solidarity?

Answer 9

• the cohesion between individuals in a society that ensure social order + stability

Question 10

define academic/formal curriculm?

Answer 10

• knowledge taught in schools for purpose of exams + qualifications

Question 11

define hidden curriculm?

Answer 11

• informal learning processes that occur in schools which transmits values, attitudes + principles
• Jackson - ‘unpublished features of school life’

Question 12

criticism of Durkheim

Answer 12

feminists
- Argue there is no value consensus. schools today still teach pupils patriarchal values; which disadvantages women + girls in society

Question 13

Talcott parsons function of education?

Answer 13

• school/education acts a social bridge between the family + wider society

Question 14

how does the education system act as a social bridge?

Answer 14

• children judged on subject factors in family + status is ascribed –> has particualistic standards
• status in society is achieved + schools have universalistic standards –> judge pupils on merit

Question 15

How did Parsons see the classroom as?

Answer 15

• saw the classroom as a microcosm of society (miniature society)

Question 16

how does the education system help adjust children

Answer 16

• detaches children from primary caregivers + family
• teaches them the essential norms + values

Question 17

meritocracy?

Answer 17

• a system expresses the idea that ppl should be rewarded based on their efforts + abilities

Question 18

Education system mertocratic?

Answer 18

• functionalsst argues the eduaction systme is meritocratic
• bc children are objectively evaluated through examinations + the awarding of qualifications

Question 19

criticism of Parsons

Answer 19

Bowles + Ginitis
- myth of meritocracy –> society is not really meriticratic. it is a myth designed designed to make working-class pupils blame themselves for systamtic failures + discrimination. pupils are judged on class not abilities

Question 20

who argues role allocation?

Answer 20

Davis + Moore

Question 21

eduaction + role allocation

Answer 21

• education allocates + selects ppl to the most appropriate job for their future roles

Question 22

how does the education system do this?

Answer 22

• by carrying out filtering process of ‘sifting + sorting out’ indidviduals so the most talented succeed + get bets qualfications + hav ethe most important jobs

Question 23

what do Davis + Moore say about work roles?

Answer 23

• some work roles are more complex than others + require greater skill

Question 24

according to Davis + Moore how does society function efficiently

Answer 24

• with most talented indiv allocated to most important jobs

Question 25

what do Davis + Moore say about meritocracy?

Answer 25

• the education system is meritocratic + allows everyone to compete equally

Question 26

criticism of Davis + Moore

Answer 26

• number of ppl going to uni in UK does not match the number of jobs available. evidence suggests the educational system may be producing an ovverqualified workforce. surveys suggest overqualified workersare less efficient bc easily bored