Functionalist Views on Education Flashcards
what is functionalism
the idea is that society is composed of different parts and each performs functions to enable society to achieve social order and stability
who is the ‘founding father’ of functionalism
French sociologist Emile Durkheim (1893)
what idea does the theory rest on
society is based on social order and society
social solidarity
a group coming together as one. they’re respectful and loyal, working together to work as one.
value consensus
shared agreement and mutual viewpoint
equilibrium
a sense of stability and balance
Durkheim’s organic analogy
as the human body is made up of different organs with a separate function to perform to operate healthily, the same applies for society
how does education contribute to society
it creates a sense of belonging, e.g. in classes and friend groups
you learn about different cultures and societies
it’s like a microcosm for society
how does education contribute to value consensus
teachers listen to student’s concerns in an attempt to relieve them, student’s trust them to do so
how does education contribute to an equilibrium
each person should be treated equally and different cultures should acknowledge their differences
four important sociologists
- Durkheim (1893)
- Parsons (1961)
- Davis and Moore (1967)
- Blau and Duncan (1978)
what did Durkhiem say was the only way for society to survive
if there was a strong degree of social solidarity
how does Durkheim say education establishes strong degree of social solidarity
it transmits norms, beliefs and values to all pupils
homogeneous
all people being the same, acting as one, standardised and uniform
how does Durkheim say that the ed system integrates people more closely into education
schools follow a standardised curriculum to all pupils, helping promote a value consensus and produce a homogeneous society.
in schools students realise they are par of something much larger than themselves and develop a commitment to this, promoting social solidarity
what do modern industrial economies have, according to Durkheim
a complex division of labour
what does the ed system act as a vehicle for (in a nation)
what does this provide
developing the human resources of a nation
providing an adequate supply of trained people with skills required for specialist roles with the economy
who agrees with many of durkheims ideas
Parsons (1961)
what does Parsons see schools as a vital source for
secondary socialisation
what does school act as a bridge between
the family and society as a whole
what does Parsons say children are judged by within the family
particularistic standards (not a formal standard)
what does Parsons say individuals are judged by within wider society
universalistic standards (applied to all members)
what does Parsons say success is achieved by
meritocratic principles, reflecting how much society as a whole operates
what do Parson and Durkheim say school represents
a miniature society, reflecting the operation as a whole and preparing individuals for adult roles
what do Davis and Moore (1967) see education as a preparation for
work
when were Davis and Moore
1967
what do Davis and Moore link the ed system to
the stratification (class) system social inequality
what do Davis and Moore say about inequality
its necessary to ensure the most important roles in society are filled by the most talented individuals
how does society encourage ideas about inequality
it offers highest rewards to the most important roles to encourage the most able
how does ed play a part in giving the most talented people people the highest rewarding jobs
it sifts sorts and grades in terms of abilities places them in different bands sets etc.
it provides a curriculum to ensure they fulfil their potential
when were Blau and Duncan
1978
what do Blau and Duncan say a modern economy depends on for its prosperity
using its human capitals (its workers skills)
what do Blau and Duncan say a meritocratic ed system does best, why
using its human capitals sit enables each person to be allocated to the job best suited to their abilities, making most effective use of their talents and maximising their productivity
