Functionalism Perspective

Question 1

What is the structural consensus theory?

Answer 1

Structural means that Functionalists argue that there is a social structure that shapes individual behaviour through the process of socialisation.

Consensus means that Functionalists believe that a successful society is based on ‘value consensus’ – people agree around a set of shared norms and values. This value consensus enables people to co-operate and to work together to achieve shared goals.

Question 2

Emile Durkheim: What is Social Solidarity?

Answer 2

When individual members of society must feel as part of a community, otherwise society will fall apart.

Question 3

How does education transmit social solidarity?

Answer 3

They transmit society’s culture, norms and valises from one generation to the next.
i.e teaching history.

Question 4

What does ‘society in miniature’ mean?

Answer 4

Schools prepare us for life in wider society.

i.e adherence to abstract rules, hierarchy

Question 5

Emile Durkheim: Specialist Skills

Answer 5

Schools teach specialist knowledge and skills to individuals which are needed to play a part in the social division of labour. Due to industrial economics having complex divisions of labour requiring specialisation.

Question 6

Parsons: Meritocracy

Answer 6

Meritocracy is the idea that people get ahead based on their own accomplishments rather than, for example, on their parents’ social class. He argues that school is the ‘focal socialising agency’ in modern society and acts as a bridge between the family and society.

Question 7

What are particularistic standards?

Answer 7

These are standards set in place by parents for their children (specific).

Question 8

What are universalistic standards?

Answer 8

These are standards put in place for everyone to follow.

Question 9

Importance of universalistic standards:

Answer 9

These are important because family and wider society work different principles and children need to adapt if they are going to cope with the wider world.

Question 10

Why meritocracy is important?

Answer 10

Parsons argues that schools and society should operate on meritocratic principles, achieved status and universalistic standards so society can function properly.
i.e students achieving based on their ability rather than family background.

Question 11

Davis and Moore: Role Allocation

Answer 11

Functionalists argue schools also perform the function of selecting and allocating pupils to their future work roles. They assess individuals abilities and match them to the job is best suited for them. 

Question 12

Relationship between education and social inequality:

Answer 12

Davis and Moore argue inequality is necessary to ensure the most important roles in society are filled by the most talented people.

Question 13

Durkheim Specialist Skills Evaluation:

Answer 13

Education system does not teach specialist skills due to studies claiming up to 1/3 of 16 to 19-year-olds are on courses that don’t lead to high end jobs.

Question 14

Durkheim Social Solidarity Evaluation:

Answer 14

The school does not transmit share values only middle-class values which favour them in education and disregard the working-class.

Question 15

Parsons Meritocracy Evaluation:

Answer 15

Internal and external factors mean not everyone is treated the same in the school and they don’t have the same opportunities to succeed.

Question 16

Davis and Moore Role Allocation Evaluation:

Answer 16

Termine argues we only know what jobs are important to us due to the rewards tied to the job.
i.e. the higher the profession of a job the more money is involved.