Functionalism Flashcards
What do functionalists believe about the role of education?
Education performs key functions to maintain social order and stability.
What are the four key functions of education according to functionalists?
Social solidarity, specialist skills, meritocracy, and role allocation.
What is social solidarity in education?
Durkheim – education creates a sense of community and shared values.
How does education provide specialist skills?
Schools teach the knowledge and skills needed for the workforce.
How does education reinforce social cohesion?
It teaches shared norms, values, and culture to integrate individuals.
What is meritocracy in education?
Parsons – education is based on effort and ability, not background.
How does education act as a bridge between family and society?
Parsons – schools teach universalistic values, unlike family’s particularistic values.
What is role allocation in education?
Davis & Moore – schools sort students into roles based on talent and effort.
Why do Davis & Moore argue that inequality is necessary in education?
It ensures the most talented fill the most important jobs.
How do exams and qualifications support functionalist ideas?
They create a fair system where success assessed on ability.
How do interactionists criticize functionalism in education?
They argue it ignores teacher labelling and student experiences.
What is a criticism of the functionalist view of education?
Marxists argue education benefits the ruling class, not society as a whole.
Why do feminists criticize functionalism in education?
It overlooks gender inequalities within the system.
What evidence contradicts the idea of a meritocratic education system?
Social class, gender, and ethnicity still impact achievement.
How do neoliberal and New Right perspectives challenge functionalism?
They argue schools fail to prepare students for the economy and should be more competitive.
