The Functionalist Perspective on Education

Question 1

What is the basic concept of Functionalism?

Answer 1

Functionalism is based on the view that society is a system of interdependent parts held together by a shared culture or value consensus.

Question 2

What do Functionalists believe are the positive functions that education performs

Answer 2

1. Creating social solidarity
2. Teaching skills necessary for work
3. Teaching us core values
4. Role Allocation and meritocracy

Question 3

Who identifies social solidarity and specialist skills as functions of education?

Answer 3

Durkheim

Question 4

Explain social solidarity

Answer 4

• School makes us feel like we are part of something bigger. This is done through the learning of subjects such as history and English which give us a shared sense of identity.
• Durkheim argued that ‘school is a society in miniature.’ preparing us for life in wider society. For example, both in school and at work we have to cooperate with people who are neither friends or family – which gets us ready for dealing with people at work in later life.

Question 5

Explain specialist skills

Answer 5

1. Industrial economy requires Division of labour
2. At school, individuals learn the diverse skills necessary for this to take place.
3. For example, we may all start off learning the same subjects, but later on we specialise when we do GCSEs.

Question 6

Who said Education Teaches us core values

Answer 6

Parsons

Question 7

Explain Teaching us core values

Answer 7

• Parsons argued that education acts as the ‘focal socializing agency’ in modern society.School plays the central role in the process of secondary socialisation, taking over from primary socialisation He argued this was necessary because the family and the wider society work in different principles and children need to adapt if they re to cope In the wider world.
• In the family, we are judged with particularistic standards by parents wheres in schools and wider society universalistic standards,School gets us ready for this.

Question 8

What did Davis and Moore come up with

Answer 8

Role Allocation and meritocracy

Question 9

Describe Role Allocation and meritocracy

Answer 9

Education allocates people to the most appropriate job for their talents using examinations and qualifications. This ensures that the most talented are allocated to the occupations that are most important for society. This is seen to be fair because there is equality of opportunity – everyone has a chance of success and it is the most able who succeed through their own efforts – this is known as meritocracy

Question 10

Positive evaluations of the Functionalist view on education

Answer 10

1. School performs positive functions for most pupils – exclusion and truancy rates are very low
2. Role Allocation – Those with degrees earn 85% more than those without degrees
3. Schools do try to foster ‘solidarity’ – PSHE
4. Education is more ‘work focused’ today – increasing amounts of vocational courses
5. Schooling is more meritocratic than in the 19th century (fairer)

Question 11

Negative Evaluations of Functionalism (Criticisms)

Answer 11

Marxists argue the education system is not meritocratic – e.g. private schools benefit the wealthy.
Functionalism ignores the negative sides of school – e.g. bullying/
Postmodernists argue that ‘teaching to the test’ kills creativity.
Functionalism reflects the views of the powerful – the education system tends to work for them and they suggests there is nothing to criticise.