Functionalism role of education

Question 1

What is the functionalist view?

Answer 1

That education is based on meritocracy, where success is rewarded when someone is hard working or talented

Question 2

Value consensus

Answer 2

The idea that everyone agrees on the norms and
values

Question 3

Social solidarity

Answer 3

The ‘glue’ that holds people together in society

Question 4

Specialist skills

Answer 4

Education teaches children these so they can play
their part in the labour (jobs) market.

Question 5

Role allocation

Answer 5

Selecting and allocating pupils to their future work
roles

Question 6

Vocationalism

Answer 6

Work-related study where job-specific skills are
taught

Question 7

Universalistic
standards

Answer 7

Standards that apply to everyone in society e.g. the
behavior system at school

Question 8

Particularistic
standards

Answer 8

Standards that apply to one particular
household/family/individual.

Question 9

What is Durkheim’s theory?

Answer 9

Linking individuals to society
- People learn to ‘feel’ part of a
larger group
- Teaching ‘social rules’ that apply
to all (norms/values and
expectations)
- Specialist work skills (division of
labor) – e.g. punctuality,
obedience plus the formal
curriculum – math’s, English,
science
-Prepares young adults for larger society - economy

Question 10

What is Parson’s theory?

Answer 10

Meritocracy
-Schools teach ‘universal values’
- universalistic’ standard e.g.
behaviour code, wear uniform,
be punctual to lessons, meet
deadlines, all sit same exams
- Education is bridge between
family and society
- Everyone has an equal
opportunity to succeed
- You achieve rewards through
hard work and ability
(meritocracy)
- Schools gives students an
‘achieved status’ – you gain
status by passing exams just like
at work where you get
promotions if you do well
- School prepares you for work

Question 11

Davis & Moore

Answer 11

‘meritocracy &
ROLE ALLOCATION’
- Some individuals have greater
talents
- Different social positions
require different talents – e.g.
sets, streams, tiered exams,
triple science, languages,
brilliant club, sports clubs
- The most able need to fill the
more demanding roles
- Schools identify the most able
and ensure that they are
trained for demanding tasks
- Greatest rewards = most able
- School ‘sifts and sorts’ people
according to their talent and
ability.

Question 12

Why is education beneficial?

Answer 12

-Unifies people
- Maintains social order
- Teaches work skills
- Bridges home and outside
world
- Role allocation
- Meritocracy
- Brings about value
consensus (shared
thinking/ideas) which in turn
- creates social solidarity
(bonds)

Question 13

Other perspective criticisms

Answer 13

• Interactionists note – education is a two-way process
  negotiate meaning between kids and teachers i..e
  labelling
• New Right would say….many school subjects are
  irrelevant – do not teach work skills
• Marxists would say…..why do class inequalities persist if
  schools are really meritocratic?
• Illich – reschooling would say…..Schools ‘crush
  individuals’ into conformity & students become
  institutionalized.

Question 14

Strengths of functionalist view

Answer 14

• School performs positive functions for most pupils –
  exclusion and truancy rates are very low- ALL
• Role Allocation – Those with degrees earn 85% more
  than those without degrees – Davis & Moore
• Schools do try to foster ‘solidarity’ – PSHE - Durkheim
• Education is more ‘work focused’ today – increasing
  amounts of vocational courses - Durkheim
• Schooling is more meritocratic than in the 19th
  century (fairer) -Parsons

Question 15

A03

Answer 15

In complete contrast
to Durkheim, Marxists such as Althusser would argue that school does not
teaches shared norms and
values but instead teaches
the norms and values of the
ruling class. For example,
ruling class ideology such as obedience is taught to
produce docile workers to
help capitalists to profit.
Therefore this suggests
that education is not as
beneficial as Functionalists
suggest.