Functionalist view on education- sociologists

Question 1

Durkheim

Answer 1

• structural consensus approach
• school= society in miniature to create social solidarity
• creates specialist skills

Question 2

Durkheim evaluation

Answer 2

• marxists question where shared values come from and who they serve (capitalism)
• education doesn’t teach specialist skills adequately

Question 3

Parsons

Answer 3

• value and fit
• particularistic standards vs universalistic standards
• ascribed status vs achieved status
• meritocracy
• social stability
• education bridges the gap between home and society

Question 4

Parsons evaluation

Answer 4

• marxists say meritocracy is a myth and that proletariat are told to believe that the rich achieve their status

Question 5

Davis and Moore

Answer 5

• role allocation
• division of labour
• unequal system of rewards is necessary
• social stratification is fair if meritocracy is fair

Question 6

Davis and Moore evaluation

Answer 6

• marxists say rich and powerful have advantages
• nepotism - some people have more access due to connections