sociological theories about education

Question 1

3 functions Durkheim believed schools create

Answer 1

social solidarity (e.g.: through history lessons)
social rules
the division of labour (e.g. through setting and exams)

Question 2

what 2 values did Talcott Parsons think schools were responsible for

Answer 2

the value of achievement

the value of equality of opportunity

Question 3

evaluate functionalists view of norms and values taught in education

Answer 3

the norms and values in schools are not necessarily those of society as a whole but those of the m/c

Question 4

what do the New Right believe the role of education should be focused on

Answer 4

‘the market’ and competition for consumers

Question 5

5 roles Talcott Parsons thought education had

Answer 5

1 Providing a trained and qualified labour force
2 Meritocracy
3 Providing a bridge the particularistic values and universalistic values
4 Socialisation
5 Passing on society’s culture

Question 6

which sociologists focused on meritocracy

Answer 6

Davis and Moore

Question 7

What did Durkheim argue schools were (quote)

Answer 7

‘society in miniature’ – a small scale version of the wider society in which people live and work.

Question 8

What’s the difference between ‘achieved’ and ‘ascribed’ status

Answer 8

Achieved status is what you work for e.g. succeeding at school while ascribed status is what you’re given by your family.

Question 9

What did Louis Althusser argue that the main role of education in a capitalist society is

Answer 9

the reproduction of an efficient and obedient work force

Question 10

How do Bowles and Gintis view meritocracy

Answer 10

It is a mechanism to legitimize social inequality.

Question 11

What is a ‘false consciousness’

Answer 11

the ruling classes (m/c)controlling the lower classes (w/c) not with physical force but with their m/c ideology

Question 12

how does Althusser believe education production an efficient and obedient work force

Answer 12

1 transmitting the ideology that capitalism is just and reasonable
2 train future workers to become submissive to authority

Question 13

What do Bowles and Gintis think of education

Answer 13

they think education is used as a bridge between school and the workplace

Question 14

How do Bowles and Gintis believe education helps students accept their role in society

Answer 14

School and workplace- school mirrors the workplace

Social inequality - schools legitimise the ‘myth of meritocracy’

Question 15

whats the difference between the National Curriculum and the Hidden Curriculum

Answer 15

national curriculum is what subjects you have to learn in school
the hidden curriculum is everything you learn outside of the national curriculum, for example wearing a uniform and punctuality and authority

Question 16

what do feminists argue education does

Answer 16

preparation for leading into the future work force. They argue the gender differences in subject choice in schools come is evidence of a patriarchal society

Question 17

whats an obvious sign of gender differences in education

Answer 17

subject choices; typicall girls avoid ‘male’ subjects like maths and physics, which are seen as high achieving subjects compared to those girls typically take

Question 18

an example of discrimination in education history

Answer 18

when the 11-plus exam, the pass mark was set lower for boys than for girls to make certain there roughly equal numbers of boys and girls in grammar schools.

Question 19

who focused on gender inequality in education

Answer 19

feminists

Question 20

what is cultural and material deprivation and who though of it

Answer 20

Douglas
cultural deprivation includes the values, attitudes and language
material deprivation include poverty, poor diet, health and housing.

Question 21

which sociologist studied material deprivation about poor health and the effect it had on students

Answer 21

Marilyn Howard

Question 22

who believed a parents input/ involvement was an important factor in a child’s educational achievement

Answer 22

J.W.B Douglas

Question 23

whats some ways Douglas gave for showing how m/c parents show more of an interest in their child’s education

Answer 23

they understand the education system better
they’re more likely to take their child to cultural events that could link to their education
have intellectual conversations at home
they understand the homework/ coursework
reinforce m/c values and expectations

Question 24

how do the New Right see education

Answer 24

as a form of marketisation

- parents able to ‘shop around’ for their favourite school

Question 25

which Act created the New Right

Answer 25

the 1988 Education Act

Question 26

what are 3 of the main features of the Education Act

Answer 26

a national curriculum
national tests at age 7, 11, 14, 16
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