Functionalist Viewpoint On Education

Question 1

Who was Emile Durkheim

Answer 1

The founder of functionalism

Question 2

What is Social Solidarity

Answer 2

The idea that society must feel apart of one body or community.

School transmits societies culture through shared norms and values

Question 3

What are Specialist Skills

Answer 3

The idea that for society to function, there must be co-operation with a range of specialists to produce goods.

Each person must have the necessary skills to peform their roles.

Question 4

What is Role Allocation

Answer 4

The belief that social inequality is needed so the most talented and knowledgeable get the most important roles within society

Question 5

How does school bridge the gap between statuses

Answer 5

The family provides the ascribed status whereas wider society provides the achieved status.

School allows for the statuses to be balanced in the Functionalist perspective.

Question 6

What are Talcott Parsons viewpoints

Answer 6

School standards are equally applied to all.

Schools are meritocratic which means they reward based on the pupils ability.

Schools sort and sift students into roles based on their skills.

Schools represent society in miniature.