functionalist theory 3Ed

Question 1

what type of theory is functionalism ?

Answer 1

Structural theory

Question 2

what positive contributions do functionalist believe education makes to society

Answer 2

secondary socialisation
passing on knowledge to the next generation
providing skills needed by industry
allow children to socialise
keeps children busy

Question 3

what is the role/function of education in society
(3)

Answer 3

socialised into norms and values of society
teaches value consensus to maintain social solidarity
allocating to specific roles within society

Question 4

define norms and values

Answer 4

social norms of behaviour/belifes of what’s right or wrong

Question 5

define value consensus

Answer 5

shared value systems of a society that members share

Question 6

define social solidarity

Answer 6

a sense of social unity
people are interdependent on each other

Question 7

what are specialist institutions

Answer 7

organisations within society that have particular purposes
Eg: education/health system

Question 8

define role allocation

Answer 8

people fill roles in society that reflects their skills and abilities

Question 9

socialisation

Answer 9

process of learning social norms and values

Question 10

define meritocracy

Answer 10

people fill positions in society on the basis of achievement and ability

Question 11

what is achieved status

Answer 11

achieved their position in the life due to their hard work and talents

Question 12

what is ascribed status

Answer 12

persons status is decided by birth
Eg: you are born into a wealthy family and will stay wealth

Question 13

what does Durkheim say about education

Answer 13

if there wasn’t a collective consensus social life would be impossible
teaches children for their future roles
creates a mini society ( children learn to co operate with each other)

Question 14

what does parsons say about education

Answer 14

acts as a bridge between the family and society - secondary socialisation
prepares children for the transition between the particularistic norms and ascribed status of the family to the universalistic norms and achieved status of society
status is achieved based on merit (meritocracy)

Question 15

what does david and moore say about education

Answer 15

mechanism that ensures the most able rise to the most functionally important roles for society
has the function of role allocation

Question 16

strengths of functionalism
(2)

Answer 16

links schools to the needs of the wider society and the economy
helps to understand how socialisation process continues beyond the family

Question 17

criticisms of the functions theory

Answer 17

assumes education is a meritocracy. statistical evidence that background plays a role in ability at school
armchair theorising - durkheim and parsons did no real research
over emphasis the power of school to shape attitudes
doesn’t investigate why different genders, social classes or ethnic groups achieve differently