Theories - Functionalist Persepctive Flashcards
What do functionalist seek to discover when studying education?
Seek to discover what function it performs - what does it do to help meet society’s needs
What are Durkheim’s 4 ideas about the role of education?
- Social solidarity
- Transmission of culture
- Society in miniature
- Division of labour
Describe Durkheim’s Social Solidarity idea about the role of eduaction
Society needs a sense of solidarity, individual MEMBERS must FEEL PART of a company.
WITHOUT THIS, individuals would PERSUE their OWN SELFISH DESIRES
Describe Durkheim’s Transmission OF CULTURE idea about the role of education
The EDUCATION SYSTEM helps to CREATE SOCIAL SOLIDARITY by transmitting SOCIETY’S CULTURE
E.g. the teaching of history gives children a sense of shared heritage
Describe Durkheim’s Society In Miniature idea about the role of education
SCHOOL PREPARES us for life in WIDER SOCIETY.
E.g. cooperation with people who’re neither family nor friends
Describe Durkheim’s Division Of Labour idea about the role of education
He argues that EDUCATION TEACHES individuals the SPEICALIST KNOWLEDGE and SKILLS required to PLAY their PARTY in the social DIVISION OF LABOUR
What does Parsons see the school as?
sees SCHOOL as the ‘ FOCAL SOCIALISING AGENCY ‘ in modern society that ACTS AS a BRIDGE ‘ BETWEEN FAMILY and WIDER SOCIETY/ work. ‘
What does Parsons believe about Meritocracy?
Education is MERITOCRATIC as well as society, school helps us to move from family to wider society due to education and society’s meritocratic principles.
“ In a meritocracy, EVERYONE is given an EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, and individuals achieve rewards THROUGH their OWN EFFORT and ABILITY
What does Parsons believe education socialises?
Socialises VALUES of INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT and ACHIEVED STATUS
What do Davis and Moore argued about Role Allocation?
see EDUCATION as a DEVICE for selection and role allocation, but they FOCUS on the RELATIONSHIP between EDUCATION & SOCIAL INEQUALITY
What do Davis and Moore argue about Inequality and society?
INEQUALITY is NECESSARY to ENSURE that the MOST IMPORTANT ROLES in society are FILLED by the MOST TALENTED PEOPLE
This encourages everyone to compete
How does Education play a key part in Role Allocation process
plays a key part in this process, since it ACTS as a PROVING GROUND FOR ABILITY
