FUNCTIONALIST education functions

Question 1

what is the first function of education according to DURKHEIM?

Answer 1

secondary socialisation

-education socialises children into shared norms and values.

Question 2

what are some example of education bringing in social solidarity?

Answer 2

• school uniform, shared identity
• learning about different cultures/religions in lessons
• team work

Question 3

what did DURKHEIM say education acts as?

Answer 3

education acts as a ‘society in miniature.’

Question 4

what is the impact of education acting as a mini society?

Answer 4

it reduces the risk of anomie, which means that we will live in a value consensus (no conflict).

Question 5

what would MARXISTS argue about secondary socialisation.

Answer 5

the higher power/capitalist norms and values are passed down, propping up capitalism.

Question 6

what is another argument about secondary socialisation?

Answer 6

globalisation/sub-cultures.

-different sub-cultures have different n+v’s, so people don’t conform to the n+v’s taught in school.

Question 7

what is the second function of education according to PARSONS?

Answer 7

education acts as a bridge between family and wider society

-it bridges the gap between childhood and adulthood.

Question 8

what standards and status does HOME provide?

Answer 8

particularistic standards= rules and expectations unique to child, child is seen as unique
ascribed status= status provided at birth

Question 9

what standards and status does EDUCATION provide?

Answer 9

universalistic standards= rules and expectations are the same for all, all students are seen as equal, so judged equally
achieved status= status they have achieved after working hard for it

Question 10

what is MERITOCRACY?

Answer 10

an equal system where success/achievement is determined by ability and effort. If you work hard, you will be successful.

Question 11

what is the MYTH OF MERITOCRACY?

Answer 11

a MARXIST argument against meritocracy and education acting as a bridge.

• education is not equal for all
• people face barriers to success
• people have blocked opportunities of experience.

Question 12

what is the third function of education according to PARSONS?

Answer 12

SPECIALIST SKILLS

-society is industrial and complex, so education adapts it’s provision to fit the needs of society

Question 13

what is the impact of the specialist skill function?

Answer 13

• people develop more advanced skills needed to be a productive workforce.
• workforce will not stagnate

Question 14

what would MARXISTS argue against the specialist skills function?

Answer 14

education does not teach us specialist skills, instead it teaches us the skills needed to be an obedient worker.

Question 15

give some examples of how education adapts to specialist skills?

Answer 15

• laws that you have to stay in some kind of education until 18.
• specialist GCSE subjects
• apprentiships

Question 16

what is the fourth function of education according to DAVIS AND MOORE?

Answer 16

ROLE ALLOCATION

- education allocates people to most appropriate roles for their talents

Question 17

in education, what are students judged on?

Answer 17

their merit

Question 18

what do Functionalists believe about important job roles?

Answer 18

important jobs should be fulfilled by most-abled students, who have worked hardest for their success.

Question 19

what is shifting and sorting within role allocation?

Answer 19

education identifies most-abled and most capable of doing certain jobs.

Question 20

what are some examples of shifting and sorting within education?

Answer 20

• sets in lessons

- foundation and higher tiers in exams