Functionalism Flashcards
What is their view on education?
Performs +ve functions for both S + individuals
Socialises new members
Helps create + sustain social solidarity
Prepares people for their role in the workplace/ economy
When did Durkheim write?
1903
What does Durkheim argue the 2 functions of education are?
- Social solidarity
2. Specialist skills
How does education produce social solidarity?
Durkheim
Teaches us to understand that we = part of a S
- otherwise S wouldn’t work
Transmits S’s culture
School = S in miniature
How does education produce specialist skills?
Durkheim
= result of structural differentiation
Economy demands specialist workers
Often have to go through long periods of training for specific occupations e.g. doctors
Education equips individuals with specialist skills needed to work in modern economy
How would the New Right support Durkheim’s view of education?
Agree Ed transmits ‘society’s values’ IOT ensure social cohesion + s solidarity
Schools = now required by law to promote ‘British values’
How could Durkheim’s view of education be criticised?
Views = outdated
Is it relevant today?
How would conflict theories criticise Durkheim’s view of education?
Argue education promotes the interest + values of the powerful
Not the whole of S
How would Postmodernists criticise Durkheim’s view on education?
Reflect ideas of modernity
Therefore cannot be applied to a diverse + fragmented S
When did Parsons write?
1961
What does Parsons argue that school is?
The ‘focal socialising agency’ of modern S
According to Parsons what is the main function of education?
Secondary socialisation
- particularistic standards (family life) vs universalistic standards (education)
Acts as a bridge to wider S
Socialises children into shared values of a meritocratic S
Meritocracy is based on 2 values…
- individual achievement
- Equal opportunity
= not who you are / where you come from
How is school a miniature society?
Both = meritocratic
- in school you achieve based on own achievements
- = preparation for life in modern S
- which = competitive + individualistic
What is a strength of Parsons work?
Recognises the impact of Ed as an agency of 2ndary socialisation
- distinction between particularistic + universalistic standards
= useful in understanding process + stages of socialisation
How would conflict theories criticise Parson’s view on education?
Argue pupils experience inequalities of opportunity
+ S = NOT meritocratic
= biased towards rc/mc men
Who decides what ‘standards’ = ‘universalistic’ by which we ‘ensure’ people by?
When did Davis and Moore write?
1945
According to Davis + Moore what if the main function of education?
Role allocation
- selection + allocation of individuals into their future work roles
How does role allocation work? (D+M)
Some people = more talented, some jobs = more complex + require greater skill
Everyone has equal chance
Higher rewards = offered for most desired jobs (£)
Motivate people to strive for them
Education ‘shifts + sorts’ individuals
Most talented get the best qualifications + the best jobs
Do Davis + Moore believe that education is meritocratic?
YES!
Everyone has an equal chance to compete + achieve the most desired jobs
What do Davis + Moore believe that role allocation leads to?
More productive S as the most able people do the most important jobs
How could Davis + More be criticised?
To what extent is an individual’s talent ‘natural’?
What is the most important job? - Doctor vs rubbish collector, both are vital for good health
How can Davis + Moore’s work be used as supporting evidence of the organic analogy?
Recognises the Ed system + the economy = inter-related
; all parts of S rely on each other for S to function
Who are the functionalist key thinkers for education?
Durkheim (1903)
Parsons (1961)
Davis and Moore (1945)
What does Parsons believe that education acts as a bridge between?
Bridge between family life and wider society
