Functionalism Flashcards
What is the functionalist view?
Consensus =
- Society is based on shared norms and values, which help maintain social order.
Functionalists identify 2 main functions of education…
1) . Maintaining value consensus = through transmitting shared heritage and sustaining social solidarity.
2) . Preparing young people for work = secondary socialisation, meritocracy.
Who are the 3 functionalists?
- Durkheim.
- Parsons.
- Davis and Moore.
What does Durkheim say the role of education is?
1). Social solidarity =
Education transmits shared norms and values which bind people together - it teaches universalistic rules.
2). Prepares young people for work (skills) =
Skills needed to participate in society, creates a division of labour.
What does Parsons say the role of education is?
- Secondary socialisation =
Education acts as a bridge between particularisation standards and universalistic standards, society can only function if people are governed by the same rules.
- Meritocracy =
Education teaches us shared values of a meritocratic society (individual achievement, equal opportunity).
Why does Durkheim emphasise the importance of teaching societies shared history?
Gives new members of society a sense of shared identity based on the past –> helps maintain value consensus.
According to Parsons, how is education a bridge between the family and wider society?
The families particularisation values are replaced with societies universalistic values.
- This creates value consensus - everyone shares the same values.
According to Parsons, how is school a ‘society in miniature’?
Both school and society are meritocratic =
- in school, success and failure based on ability prepares them for society’s competitiveness.
What does Davis and Moore say the role of education is?
1) Role allocation =
Meritocracy ‘sifts and sorts’ people to their appropriate role according to their ability –> thus, creating a division of labour.
E.g. If you aren’t successful in school, you don’t deserve talented jobs, vice versa, over wise society would disintegrate.
What are the evaluations of functionalism?
1) . Meritocracy is a myth.
2) . Values transmitted represent the ruling-class.
3) . Education may not equip people for work.
4) . Too deterministic.
How is meritocracy a myth?
Bowles and Gintis argue achievement is based on social class, not ability.
- Meritocracy convinces people that failure is there own fault, not societies.
How do Marxists criticise functionalists?
Values transmitted through education aren’t societies shared values, they represent the ruling-class.
How can the link between education and workers be criticised?
It’s sometimes difficult to see a direct link between the subjects studied and the requirements of workers.
How is the functionalist view too deterministic?
Interactionism =
- Not all pupils passively accept school’s values, some reject them and rebel.
