Functionalist theory

Question 1

View on education?

Answer 1

positive view of the role of
education.They argue that the education system performs several functions through which it helps maintain social solidarity thus benefiting both individuals and society.

Question 2

Durkheim View

Answer 2

1.Promotes Social solidarity
- Social solidarity means social cohesion (unity) and sharing of norms and values, a feeling of belonging.
-Education creates social solidarity by transmitting society’s culture, norms and values to new generations. For example, studying History instills a sense of shared heritage and a
commitment to the society.
-Schools are ‘society in miniature’ – preparing children for life in the wider world – we learn to cooperate with others, follow instructions, be punctual.
2.Passes on specialist skills
-Education teaches individuals the specialist knowledge and skills needed by employers due
to the complex division of
labour – where a production of even a single item requires the cooperation of many different specialists. Students have to learn the specialist skills they will need for the world of work
so each individual can play
their part in this cooperation.

Question 3

Criticism of Durkheim

Answer 3

The Wolf Report found that the education system does
not teach specialist skills adequately. For example, high quality apprenticeships are rare. Marxists argue the education system doesn’t maintain social solidarity, instead it maintains capitalism.

Question 4

Parsons View

Answer 4

1.Bridge between the family and wider society
-In the family individuals are judged by particularistic standards (everyone is
treated differently) because we hold ascribed status, our position in the family is fixed at birth, e.g. being the youngest daughter.
-In the wider society, status is achieved, we’re judged on universalistic standards
(everyone is treated the same) because society is meritocratic – rewards are
based on effort and ability.
-Through education, which is meritocratic like society, children get used to being
judged on meritocratic and universalistic standards which prepares them for life in the wider society.
2.Secondary socialisation
Education is the focal socialising agency after the family, it passes on society’s norms and values to younger generations.

Question 5

Evaluation of Parsons

Answer 5

-Education system is not meritocratic.There is evidence that factors such as class, ethnicity and gender can affect achievement.
-Wrong argues students don’t always passively accept
the values taught by schools, e.g. students can choose
to misbehave, which means Parsons’ theory is
deterministic.

Question 6

Davis and Moore

Answer 6

Role allocation
-Inequality is essential in society as the most important roles in society should be
filled by the most talented people and those fulfilling the more important roles
should be highly rewarded. This creates competition for the top jobs and ensures they go to the best people.
-Therefore, the function of education is to sift and sort
individuals to their future roles. Through education, e.g. exams, individuals show
the level of their ability as the most able get the highest qualifications.
-Blau and Duncan argue this creates human capital – workers’ skills – which the economy uses in the most effective way to maximise productivity.

Question 7

Evaluation for Davis and Moore

Answer 7

-The New Right claim that state education fails to
prepare students for work because there is too much
interference from the government.
-Tumin argues Davis and Moore’s theory is circular as
they do not explain why some jobs are more
important.