Functionalism Flashcards
What is Durkheim’s function one of education in society?
Social solidarity
Societies members must feel like they are part of a single body.
if we do not have this people would pursue their own selfish desires
Education transmits values if society through generations creating social solidarity.
What is Durkheim’s function two?
Specialist skills
Modern society has complex division of labour - production of one item involves cooperation of many specialists
Each person must have specialist skills to perform their role
Cooperation promotes social solidarity
Education teaches specialist skills they need to play their part in social division labour.
What is Parsons function three?
Teaching core values
Education acts as the focal socialising agency
Schools play central role in process of secondary socialisation
Necessary because the family and wider society work in different principles and children need to adapt if they are to cope in the wider world
Society is based on meritocratic principles
What does meritocratic mean?
Everyone is given equal opportunities and Ian rewards on effort and ability.
What are norms and values that the education reinforces?
Gender roles
Attendance
Hierarchy
Manners
Dress codes
Punctuality
What are Davis and Moores function four?
Role allocation
Education allocates people to the most appropriate job for their talents using examinations and qualifications
Ensuring that the most talented are allocated to occupations that are most important for society
Seen to be fair because there is equal opportunity, everyone has a chance of success.
What does Shultz argue?
Modern economy depends for its prosperity on using its human capital (workers skills)
Meritocratic education does this best, since it enables each person to be allocated to the job that bets suits their abilities
Making most effective use of their talents and maximise their productivity, boosting the economy.
What is a criticism of the functionalist view?
Equal opportunities in education do not exist, achievement is greatly influences by class background rather than ability.
How does Tumin criticise Davis and Moore?
Putting forward a circular argument
How do Marxists argue against the functionalist view?
Argue education transit the ideology of the ruling class, benefiting capitalism
How do feminists argue against the functionalist view?
Education is not meritocratic and does not provide the same opportunities for all
Reinforces glass ceiling
What does Wrong (interactionist) argue against functionalists?
Have an overspecialised view of peoples puppets of society
They wrongly assume that pupils passively accept school values.
