Views on education

Question 1

Functionalism: What did Durkheim believe about the role of education?

Answer 1

1. Education helps create social solidarity by transmitting society’s norms and values
2. Schools act as a “society in miniature”, preparing young people to interact with others in wider society
3. Teaches the specialist skills needed for the division of labour in modern economies

Question 2

Functionalism: What did Durkheim believe about the role of education?

Answer 2

1. Sees school as a bridge between the family and wider society
2. In the family children are judged by particularistic standards whilst in school and wider society they are judged based on universalistic standards
3. Argues that education is based on meritocracy

Question 3

What is meritocracy?

Answer 3

The idea that people achieve based on their own ability, talent and hard work, regardless of class, gender or background

Question 4

Functionalism: What do Davis and Moore believe about the role of education?

Answer 4

1, Education sifts and sorts individuals according to ability
2. The most talented get the most important jobs, and education ensures that the right people fill these roles through role allocation.
3. They see inequality as necessary to motivate people to train for difficult and important positions.

Question 5

What is role allocation?

Answer 5

The idea that the education system matches individuals to the jobs/roles they are best suited for based on their abilities and talents

Question 6

What are criticisms of functionalist views on education?

Answer 6

1. Education is not meritocratic
2. Marxists say education serves capitalist interests, not the whole of society
3. Some reject the idea that schools promote social solidarity, pointing to conflict and inequality in the system.