Functionalist view on education Flashcards
Who are the functionalist theorists?
Emile Durkheim , Parsons , David and moore
What does Emilie Durkheim argue?
Argues that education has two functions: to create social solidarity and to learn specialist skills
What is social solidarity in education? (durkheim)
Education teaches us to understand that we are part of a society, otherwise society wouldn’t work. It does this by transmitting societies culture via secondary socialisation
what did durkeim argue about specialist skills in education?
Education equips individuals with the specialist skills needed to work in a modern economy
What does Parsons argue?
Argues that school is the ‘focal socialising agency’ of modern society
Why education is an important part of secondary socialisation (parsons)
During primary socialisation, children are treated with ‘particularistic values’. Wider society cannot function this way so has ‘universalistic values’. Education promotes these universalistic standards and acts as a bridge between family and wider society
what does meritocracy mean?
Meritocracy means a system is fair. Based on individual achievement (achieved not ascribed status) and equal opportunity.
what did parsons argue about education being society in miniature?
School is a miniature version of wider society, both meritocratic. I’m school, individuals succeed or fail depending on their own ability and effort, preparing them for modern society (competitive and individualistic)
What do Davis and Moore argue?
Argue that the main function of education is to select and allocate students to their future work roles
what did davis and moore find out about sifting and sorting?
Some students are more talented in particular subjects and some work roles are more complex, requiring greater skill. Education tests students to find out who is more intelligent than others, pushing them towards the better subjects. Most talented get the best qualifications for important jobs
what did davis and moore argue about role allocation?
Once best students are studying better subjects, they can then train for the most important jobs. This ensures that the best people are doing the best job, resulting in a more productive society
What are particularistic standards?
When children are treated as special and individual within the home
What are universalistic standards?
Everyone is treated the same eg work is marked using a mark scheme
What is organic analogy?
The functionalist analogy that sees society as being like a human body where all parts work together and are interrelated
name 3 A03 for functionalist?
feminist and the patriachal system of education, marxist and how education reproduces capitalism. new right and how eduaction is failing
