Functionalists View

Question 1

General view

Answer 1

4 functions of education:

• create social solidarity
• transmit a shared set of norms and values
• role allocation
• teaching skills necessary for work

Consensus theory = organic analogy

Question 2

Davis and Moore

Answer 2

• eductions purpose = role allocation —> sifts and sorts students into their future career/job
• those with lower grades end up with lower skilled jobs

Question 3

Durkheim

Answer 3

• social solidarity = helps social integration and create a sense of belonging
• school is a secondary agent of socialisation
• value consensus = achievement, competition, individualism

Question 4

Parsons

Answer 4

• school = a social bridge between family (loved members regardless of talent and ability) and wider society (people judge on merit)
• believe in meritocracy = individuals who work hard will be rewarded (achieved status) those born into a high or low status (ascribed status)

Question 5

Eval - functionalism

Answer 5

• class gender and ethnicity are now major factors in sorting students by their ability
• it neglect conflicts that exit within schools e.g. disruptive students and exclusion —> school may not be entirely successful in teaching consensus and solidarity