Functionalist perspective on education

Question 1

Social cohesion

Answer 1

Bonds that bring people together and integrate them into a united society

Question 2

Social mobility

Answer 2

Movement of groups or individuals up or down social hierarchy

Question 3

Functional prerequisites

Answer 3

Basic needs to be met if society is to survive

Question 4

Hidden curriculum

Answer 4

Concerns not so much formal content of subject lessons and examinations as way teaching and learning are organised

Question 5

Social solidarity

Answer 5

Integration of people into society through shared values , a common culture, shared understandings and bring them together

Question 6

Particularistic values

Answer 6

Rules and values that give priority to personal relationships

Question 7

Universalistic values

Answer 7

Rules and values that apply equally to all members of society, regardless of who they are

Question 8

Meritocracy

Answer 8

Society where jobs and pay equally allocated on basis purely of talent, abilities, qualifications and skills

Question 9

Human capital

Answer 9

Refers to knowledge and skills possessed by workforce that increase their value and usefulness to employers.

Question 10

Division of labour

Answer 10

Division of work or occupations in large number of specialized tasks, each of which is carried out by one worker or group of workers

Question 11

Equality of educational opportunity

Answer 11

Idea any child despite regardless of social class background, ability to pay school fees, ethnic background, gender or disability should have equal chance of developing talents and abilities and doing as well as their ability will allow

Question 12

What 4 basic functions to education did Durkeim and Parsons argue there were?

Answer 12

1. Passing on society’s culture and building social solidarity
2. Providing bridge between particularistic values + ascribed status of family and universalistic values + achieved status of contemporary advanced societies
3. Developing human capital- trained and qualified workforce
4. Selecting and allocating people for roles in meritocratic society, and legitimizing social inequality

Question 13

Marxist criticism for functionalist view of education

Answer 13

Ignores inequalities in power in society. No value consensus, culture and values passed on by school are those of ruling class.

Question 14

Feminist criticism for functionalist view of education

Answer 14

School passes on patriarchal values, and disadvantages girls and women