Specialist Skills & Vocational Training Role- Bowles & Gintis Flashcards
Who is the sociologist that argues the education system functions as an Ideological State Apparatus?
Althusser
What does Althusser refer to the education system as?
An Ideological State Apparatus (ISA)
What is the primary function of the education system according to Althusser?
To maintain control over the working class
How does Althusser describe the role of education in terms of social control?
As a soft tool of social control
What ideology does the education system help to propagate according to Althusser?
Capitalist ideology
What is the myth that Althusser refers to in relation to education?
The myth of meritocracy
What does the myth of meritocracy suggest?
That everyone has an equal chance to succeed based on ability and effort
What negative outcome does the myth of meritocracy lead to, according to Althusser?
False class consciousness
True or False: Althusser believes the education system is only a tool for academic learning.
False
Fill in the blank: Althusser argues that education subtly _______ students into accepting capitalist ideology.
brainwashes
What do Bowles and Gintis argue about the education system?
The education system serves to maintain capitalism by producing a passive, obedient, and docile workforce.
What attitudes does the education system teach according to Bowles and Gintis?
Schools teach attitudes that capitalism requires: obedience, acceptance of authority, and willingness to do boring, low-paid work.
How does the education system instill these attitudes?
Through hierarchy, external rewards, competition, and dress codes.
What is the term used to describe the relationship between education and capitalism?
This is known as the correspondence principle.
What is the correspondence principle?
The correspondence principle is the idea that the structure and values of school closely mirror those in the workplace.
This principle suggests that schools are designed to prepare students for their future roles in capitalist employment.
How do schools and workplaces compare in terms of authority figures?
Both have authority figures such as headteachers in schools and CEOs in workplaces.
These figures enforce rules and maintain order.
What is a common characteristic shared by both schools and workplaces regarding dress codes?
Both have strict dress codes.
This reflects societal expectations of professionalism.
What role does the education system play in relation to students and their future employment?
The education system prepares students to accept their future roles in capitalist employment.
This includes teaching them not to question or challenge their exploitation.
True or False: The correspondence principle suggests that schools encourage students to challenge authority.
False
Instead, the principle indicates that schools condition students to accept authority.
Fill in the blank: The correspondence principle ensures that students do not _______ or _______ their exploitation.
question; challenge
This highlights the passive acceptance of their future roles.
What do Postmodernists argue about workers in today’s economy?
Postmodernists argue that workers need to be creative, adaptable, and flexible, not passive and obedient.
What is the critique offered by Bowles and Gintis?
Bowles and Gintis offer a strong Marxist critique of education under capitalism.
How does the critique by Bowles and Gintis relate to modern society?
The critique may not fully apply to the needs of a modern, post-industrial society.
