Functionalism

Question 1

Basic functionalist view

Answer 1

Need solidarity and basic needs to survive
Education performs positive function
Conservative

Question 2

What is Durkheims concept

Answer 2

Solidarity and skills

Question 3

Outline Durkheims solidarity and skills

Answer 3

Education binds and transmits shared values enabling cooperation, shared rituals all same common purpose. Teaches universalistic rules
Prepares young people for work - equips specialist skills needed participate work in modern economy

Question 4

What was persons education role

Answer 4

Socialisation and meritocracy

Question 5

Outline parsons socialisation and meritocratic role - secondary socialisation

Answer 5

Focal socialising agency
Secondary socialisation - treating everyone equal, teaching universalistic standards, bridge between family and wider society. Socialises into shared values and meritocratic society

Question 6

Outline parsons socialisation and meritocratic role - meritocratic

Answer 6

Individual achievement - achieve status through own efforts, not where you come from its what you can do
Equal opportunity everyone achieve potential

Question 7

Outline parsons socialisation and meritocratic role - society in miniature

Answer 7

Both school and wider society meritocratic
Succeeding or failing depends on own abilities
Prepares life modern society - competitive and individualistic

Question 8

Example of Durkheims shared rituals

Answer 8

National anthem

Question 9

What was Davis and Moores view role education

Answer 9

Role allocation

Question 10

Outline Davis and Moores role allocation

Answer 10

Selection for future work roles
Some more talented = some work requires require greater skill
Society function efficiently most talented allocated most important jobs
Higher rewards to motivate everyone to strive
Compete equally ‘sifts and sorts’
Society more productive

Question 11

What theory supports davis and moore

Answer 11

Human capital theory

Question 12

Outline the human capital theory

Answer 12

Modern industrial society technologically advanced, skills of workforce main economic ‘capital’
Meritocracy best way achieve sufficiently skilled workforce, greater economic efficiency, higher living standards

Question 13

Evaluation of Davis and Moore

Answer 13

Challenge with Class/Ethnicity/Gender differences = not everyone has same chances in education

Question 14

Marxist evaluation

Answer 14

Values transmitted not shared values but rather those of r.c.

Question 15

Interactionist evaluation

Answer 15

Too deterministic - some reject and rebel against education

Question 16

General evaluation of functionalist

Answer 16

Not meritocratic - schools can discriminate
Hargreaves - school place more value in competition and developing individuals than solidarity
Difficult to see a link - between subjects and what required for a job
Ascribed characteristics - important

Question 17

Outline the neoliberalism view

Answer 17

Believe state should not provide education
Free market economy encourages competition and drives standards.
Schools should operate like businesses in an education market

Question 18

Compare functionalism and the new right

Answer 18

Believe some people naturally more talented
Agree education should be run on meritocratic principles of open competition
Socialise pupils into shared values and provide sense national identity
Older industrial societies e.g. Britain are in decline, result increase global economic competition

Question 19

Difference with the New Right

Answer 19

Dont believe the state can run an efficient education system

Question 20

Why does the New Right believe state cannot run an efficient education system

Answer 20

Cannot meet peoples needs. ‘One size fits all’, does not meet individual/community/employer needs
Not accountable for who uses them e.g. Pupils, employers. Schools poor results do not change as not answerable to consumers. Result lower standards and less qualified work force

Question 21

What is the New Right solution

Answer 21

Marketisation

Question 22

Outline the New Right solution

Answer 22

Schools more responsive to consumers
Creating education market forces response to needs e.g. Competition other schools teachers more efficient. Schools survival depends on ability raise achievement levels

Question 23

Example of the New Right solution

Answer 23

Formula funding - schools have an incentive to be successful, since those that attract more pupils get more money

Question 24

Who researched to support give the consumers choice New Right

Answer 24

Chubb and Moe

Question 25

Outline Chubb and Moes research

Answer 25

Pupils low income families do 5% better in private schools - state education not meritocratic
Failed create equal opportunity does not respond to pupils needs
Parents/communities cant do anything whilst controlled by state
Private schools deliver higher education as they are answerable to paying consumers

Question 26

Outline Chubb and Moes improvement suggestion for state schools

Answer 26

Voucher system
Each family given a voucher to spend on buying education from a school, schools main income = compete attract vouchers by improving education they offer.

Question 27

Why does New Right believe state has a limited role

Answer 27

It should create framework for competition e.g. Publishing league tables and setting national curriculum
Ensure transmits society’s shared culture and emphasis shared national identity e.g. Teaching of british history

Question 28

Evaluation of the New Right

Answer 28

Other possible reasons for rising exam results
Low standards result inadequate funding
Competition benefits m.c.
Marxists imposes culture r.c.