Functionalism

Question 1

Social solidarity

Answer 1

Individuals feel that they belong to a community

Question 2

Durkheim argues that school acts as a…

Answer 2

Miniature society eg
Learn to interact with other members
Follow fixed rules

Question 3

Evaluation for social solidarity

Answer 3

Rose tinted view
More likely to divines people then unite them as the curriculum is ethnocentric

Question 4

Specialist skills

Answer 4

Durkheim argues individuals must me taught specialist skills to take their place in a highly complex division of labour e.g biology to become a doctor

Question 5

Evaluation for specialist skills:

Answer 5

Wolf review 2011- a third of 16-19 year olds were doing courses that do not lead to higher education or good jobs (NEETS)

Question 6

Secondary socialisation

Answer 6

Parsons- educations passes in norms and values of society eg meritocracy- achieve status based on your own ability and effort

Question 7

Evaluation for secondary socialisation

Answer 7

Private education- paying for status
Myth of meritocracy- Bowles and Gintis argue that you are rewarded for your wealth and status rather than your ability and effort

Question 8

Sifting and sorting

Answer 8

David and Moore- role of education is role allocation e.g higher and foundation sets
This means important jobs in society are filled with people best suited for them which may lead to inequality however this acts as an incentive to work harder

Question 9

Evaluation for sifting and sorting-

Answer 9

Class gender and ethnicity have significant roles in determining achievement
Stephen Ball- found that students were being placed into sets according to their father’s job