sociologists views on education

Question 1

functionalist view

socialisation

• education transmits values that create social solidarity
• society in miniature, preparing you for life
• durkheim makes you feel a part of society
• parsons, schools provide universalistix rules. schools teach the ideas of meritocracy and achieved status

Answer 1

allocation

david and moore, schools “shift and sorts” is to the right jobs.

rewarded by staying in education ( better jobs and more money)

Question 2

functionalism

vocational

schools provide specialist skills

human capital theory, schools invests in you- to make you productive

Answer 2

weaknesses

• overly positive, ignores negatives e.g anti school behaviour
• over socialised view
• there isn’t a meritocracy - reinforces inequality

Question 3

marxist

socialisation

• Althusser - ideological state apparatus
• education reproduces class inequality and legitimates inequalities
• negative values - stop social change
• bowls and ginits- myth meritocracy
• correspondence principle

Answer 3

allocation

• bowls and ginits - scoops reproduce class structure by allocating working class students to working class jobs. (because of the school they attend)
• streaming and setting