Functionalism

Question 1

What is social solidarity according to Durkheim?

Answer 1

Education transmits society’s culture, shared beliefs & values, e.g., history sense of shared heritage.

Durkheim emphasized the role of education in creating social cohesion.

Question 2

What did Wolf (2011) find regarding vocational education?

Answer 2

High quality apprenticeships are rare; 1/3 of 16-19 year olds are on courses that don’t lead to good jobs.

This indicates a gap in vocational training effectiveness.

Question 3

What is the concept of meritocracy as described by Parsons (1961)?

Answer 3

Focal socialising agency that bridges family & wider society, providing equal opportunity to achieve awards through effort & ability.

Meritocracy suggests that success is based on individual merit.

Question 4

True or False: Wrong (1961) argues that students passively accept all they are taught.

Answer 4

True.

Wrong critiques the functionalist view that students are entirely passive in the learning process.

Question 5

What is the role of education in role allocation according to Davies & Moore (1945)?

Answer 5

Education ‘sifts & sorts’ individuals according to ability, with the most able gaining highest qualifications and access to important positions.

This process is essential for ensuring that roles are filled by the most capable individuals.

Question 6

How does Blau & Duncan relate education to the economy?

Answer 6

The economy prospers with human capital; worker’s skills are developed through education.

This highlights the importance of education in enhancing economic productivity.

Question 7

What is Tumin’s (1953) critique of the argument regarding job importance and rewards?

Answer 7

Circular argument: how is a job important? It is highly rewarded. Why is it highly rewarded? Because it is important.

Tumin challenges the logic behind the correlation between job importance and rewards.