Summary
Summary Functionalist perspective on education
- Institution
- AQA
In depth mind map/summary of the functionalist view on education, including sociologists and what they say.
[Show more]
Seller
Follow
Content preview
DURKHEIM PARSONSSocial Solidarity: Meritocracy:
Durkheim argues that society needs a sense of solidarity. School acts as a bridge between the family and wider society. This is necessary as the family and
Without social solidarity, social life and cooperation society operate on different principles:
would be impossible because everyone would pursue In the family child is judged on particularistic standards – rules that only apply to that child.
their own selfish desires. Also, child’s status in the family is ascribed – fixed at birth.
Education system helps to create social solidarity by School and wider society judged people based on universalistic standards – impersonal
transmitting society’s culture from one generation to and the same for everyone. Also, in school and wider society a person’s status is largely
the next. achieved.
E.G., teaching a country’s history instils in children a Parsons sees school as preparing us to move from the family to wider society because school and
sense of shared heritage and a commitment to the wider society are both based on meritocratic principles. In a meritocracy. Everyone is given an equal
social group. opportunity, and individuals achieve rewards through their own effort and ability.
School also acts as a ‘society in miniature’, preparing us
for life in wider society. DAVIS AND MOORE
E.G., both in school and at work we have to cooperate Role allocation:
with people who are neither friends nor family. Education is a device for selection and role allocation.
Specialist skills: They argue that inequality is necessary to ensure that the most important roles in society are filled
Education teaches individuals the specialist skills and by the most talented people. Not everyone is equally talented, so society has to offer higher
knowledge that they need to play their part in the rewards for these jobs. This will encourage everyone to compete for them and society can then
social division of labour. select the most talented individuals to fill these positions.
This is because modern industrial economies have a Education plays a key role in this process as it acts as a proving ground for ability. Education ‘sifts
complex division of labour, where the production of and sorts of students based on ability. The most able gain the highest qualifications which then
even a single item usually involves the cooperation of gives them entry to the most important and highly rewarded jobs.
many different specialists.
EVAL:
There is evidence that equal opportunity in education does not exist. Achievement is largely influenced by class background rather than ability.
Marxists argue that education in capitalist society only transmits the ideology of a minority – the ruling class.
Functionalists wrongly imply that pupils passively accept all they are taught and ever reject school’s values.
Neoliberals and new right argue that the state education system fails to prepare young people adequately for work.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller melinawatson6. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £5.49. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
56880 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy revision notes and other study material for 15 years now