Functionalist Theory

Question 1

Durkheim (1) - Explanation

Answer 1

Promotes social solidarity - education does this by passing on societies culture to pupils/the younger generation
It prepares you for life in the wider world
rewards the good and punishes/sanctions the bad

Question 2

Durkheim (1) - key concepts

Answer 2

school is a miniature society - mini version of society

social solidarity

Question 3

Durkheim (1) - Criticisms

Answer 3

Marxism - education is not teaching us societies norms and values but instead it is teaching us the ruling class ideology

Question 4

Durkheim (2) - Explanation

Answer 4

passing on specialist skills - making you employable
maintains social solidarity - keeps the economy going
contributes to society

Question 5

Durkheim (2) - key concepts

Answer 5

complex division of labour - you need a set of skills for each job
need a skilled workforce - education creates this

Question 6

Durkheim (2) - Criticisms

Answer 6

New Right - education is failing to give students the skills that employers need

Question 7

Parsons (1) - Explanation

Answer 7

secondary socialisation - learning societies norms and values at school

Question 8

Parsons (both) - Criticisms

Answer 8

school will teach you norms and values and they will always work. Parson’s theory is deterministic
Not excepting the idea that some people still refuse to listen - they have free will
teachers don’t always treat all students the same (efforts, ability, gender, ethnicity,etc)

Question 9

Parsons (2) - Explanation

Answer 9

Educations acts as a bridge between family and society
family = ascribed status - Parsons = particularistic standards
society = achieved status - functionalism = universalistic standards - society is meritocracy -you will get what you deserve

Question 10

Parsons (2) - key concepts

Answer 10

ascribed status - where you are in the family - oldest child, middle child, youngest child
achieved status - respect depends on how hard you’ve worked
education - changes mindset - you are taught the same as everyone else - preparing you for life in the wider society

Question 11

Davies and Moore - Explanation

Answer 11

Functionalists
role of education is role allocation
people are not equal. Some people are more intelligent that other. Everyone is born different. education system measures students by exams. good grades=top jobs=work hard=deserves to be rewarded

Question 12

Davies and Moore - key concepts

Answer 12

role allocation

education sieves and sorts students into the most suitable jobs for their ability

Question 13

Davies and Moore - Criticisms

Answer 13

Ignores other factors that can affect achievement

family life = poverty, ethnicity etc