Informal Agency of Social Control - Education

Question 1

Hidden Curriculum

Bowles & Gintis

American Marxists

Answer 1

• They argued that education system was a ‘giant myth-making machine’ which brainwashed children through the hidden curriculum into the obedience and unquestioning attitude that they would need in the world of work
• Pupils taught to accept place in society, believe achievements/failures are own making, taught everything is fair (based on merit) (in reality this is false)
• Education system is significant, but overall negative for majority

Question 2

Functionalism

Answer 2

Education system prepares students for later life stages by being good and behaved members of society

In schools you are taught what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour through detentions and good sanctions

Question 3

(-) Weakness of Functionalism

Answer 3

Assumes that the experience is the same for everyone and naïvely assumes every student is prepared well and adequately

Does not look at other factors that have an effect on how students are socialised in the education system due to factors like class and ethnicity