Functionalism

Question 1

What is their view on education?

Answer 1

Performs +ve functions for both S + individuals
Socialises new members
Helps create + sustain social solidarity
Prepares people for their role in the workplace/ economy

Question 2

When did Durkheim write?

Answer 2

1903

Question 3

What does Durkheim argue the 2 functions of education are?

Answer 3

1. Social solidarity

2. Specialist skills

Question 4

How does education produce social solidarity?

Durkheim

Answer 4

Teaches us to understand that we = part of a S
- otherwise S wouldn’t work
Transmits S’s culture
School = S in miniature

Question 5

How does education produce specialist skills?

Durkheim

Answer 5

= 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

Question 6

How would the New Right support Durkheim’s view of education?

Answer 6

Agree Ed transmits ‘society’s values’ IOT ensure social cohesion + s solidarity
Schools = now required by law to promote ‘British values’

Question 7

How could Durkheim’s view of education be criticised?

Answer 7

Views = outdated

Is it relevant today?

Question 8

How would conflict theories criticise Durkheim’s view of education?

Answer 8

Argue education promotes the interest + values of the powerful
Not the whole of S

Question 9

How would Postmodernists criticise Durkheim’s view on education?

Answer 9

Reflect ideas of modernity

Therefore cannot be applied to a diverse + fragmented S

Question 10

When did Parsons write?

Answer 10

1961

Question 11

What does Parsons argue that school is?

Answer 11

The ‘focal socialising agency’ of modern S

Question 12

According to Parsons what is the main function of education?

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Meritocracy is based on 2 values…

Answer 13

1. individual achievement
2. Equal opportunity

= not who you are / where you come from

Question 14

How is school a miniature society?

Answer 14

Both = meritocratic

• in school you achieve based on own achievements
• = preparation for life in modern S
• which = competitive + individualistic

Question 15

What is a strength of Parsons work?

Answer 15

Recognises the impact of Ed as an agency of 2ndary socialisation
- distinction between particularistic + universalistic standards
= useful in understanding process + stages of socialisation

Question 16

How would conflict theories criticise Parson’s view on education?

Answer 16

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?

Question 17

When did Davis and Moore write?

Answer 17

1945

Question 18

According to Davis + Moore what if the main function of education?

Answer 18

Role allocation

- selection + allocation of individuals into their future work roles

Question 19

How does role allocation work? (D+M)

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Do Davis + Moore believe that education is meritocratic?

Answer 20

YES!

Everyone has an equal chance to compete + achieve the most desired jobs

Question 21

What do Davis + Moore believe that role allocation leads to?

Answer 21

More productive S as the most able people do the most important jobs

Question 22

How could Davis + More be criticised?

Answer 22

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

Question 23

How can Davis + Moore’s work be used as supporting evidence of the organic analogy?

Answer 23

Recognises the Ed system + the economy = inter-related

; all parts of S rely on each other for S to function

Question 24

Who are the functionalist key thinkers for education?

Answer 24

Durkheim (1903)
Parsons (1961)
Davis and Moore (1945)

Question 25

What does Parsons believe that education acts as a bridge between?

Answer 25

Bridge between family life and wider society