Functionalists views on education Flashcards

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1
Q

Who are 3 key functionalists in the education topic?

A

Durkheim, Parsons and Davis & Moore

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2
Q

What is formal education?

A

The official national curriculum, the subjects studied in lesson.

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3
Q

What is informal education>

A

Takes place outside of subjects as apart of general school life which helps prepare child for wider society.

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4
Q

What did Durkheim believe the main function of the education system is?

A

Transmission of societies norms and values from one generation to the next.

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5
Q

What is social solidarity?

A

The feeling of belonging to something bigger than you alone.

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6
Q

Why does Durkheim say school is like society in miniature?

A

-Where we learn rules
-Teaches how to behave and interact
-Taught complex specialist skills for later in life

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7
Q

How may a Marxist criticise Durkheim?

A

Ruling class only transmit THEIR norms and values: not inclusive of other social classes.

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8
Q

What may happen as a result of imposing middle class norms and values onto students?

A

They may form anti-school subcultures and non-conformist students.

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9
Q

What does parsons argue the two main functions of education are?

A

1) focal socialising agent: the bridge between family and society
2) meritocracy: teaching the value of equality for every student to achieve their full potential

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10
Q

How does education bridge the gap between family and wider society according to Parsons?

A

-Merges particularistic standards, from the family and universalistic standards, from society in order for the student to achieve their status.
-education prepares us for society through its meritocratic values

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11
Q

What do Davis & Moore see as the main function of the education system?

A

Role allocation

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12
Q

What is role allocation?

A

-The education system sifts and sorts people according to their ability
-Creates necessary inequality to ensure the most important roles are performed by the most suited people

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13
Q

What do Blau and Duncan say?

A

The modern economy is dependent on ‘human capital’ - workers skills- and meritocracy enables people to be put into the best job suited for them.

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14
Q

what are some evaluation points of the functionalist views on education?

A

-Ample evidence that equality in education doesn’t exist: achievement is influenced by class background
-Education only transmits the ideology of the minority- ruling class
-Neoliberals and the New Right argue the state does not prepare young people adequately for work

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