Sociological Theories & Functionalists Views of Education

Question 1

What are state schools?

Answer 1

Run by the government

No fees for parents to pay

Question 2

What are private schools?

Answer 2

Charge fees for children to attend

Question 3

What are public schools?

Answer 3

The ‘elite’ private schools e.g. Eton

Question 4

What is the structuralist theory?

Answer 4

Society shapes the individual

Question 5

What is the macro theory?

Answer 5

It looks at society as a whole

Question 6

What is consensus theory?

Answer 6

It believes there must be agreement about society’s norms and values for society to work.

Question 7

What is The Organic Analogy?

Answer 7

Society is like a human body

Both are made up of different parts with each part having a function that it must perform for either the body or society to work.

Question 8

What is social solidarity?

Answer 8

Durkheim (functionalist)

Social solidarity means social unity so everyone feels a part of society and share the same norms and values creating a value consensus - this is essential to avoid conflict in society.

Question 9

What did Durkheim see education as?

Answer 9

As a ‘society in a miniature’ which reinforces the norms and values of society and prepares children for adult life.

Question 10

What kind of society has a complex division of labour?

Answer 10

Modern industrial society

Question 11

What is complex division of labour?

Answer 11

Jobs each requiring their own specialist skills

Question 12

Why does education teach specialist skills?

Answer 12

To maintain a healthy economy because each job is performed by someone with specialist skills

Question 13

What are particularistic standards?

Answer 13

Rules that apply to a particular person in the family

Question 14

What are universalistic standards?

Answer 14

Standards that apply to everyone in society e.g. laws

Question 15

What is ascribed status?

Answer 15

Status that is fixed from birth e.g. your parents

Question 16

How is a persons status in education and society determined?

Answer 16

Achieved through an individual’s hard work

Question 17

Why do universalistic standards make education and society meritocratic?

Answer 17

Everyone is given the same chance to succeed through their own individual efforts.

Question 18

How does education help with role allocation?

Answer 18

They allocate pupils to their future work roles by identifying their skills and talents and matching them to a job they are best suited for.

Question 19

How does education allocate pupils to future job roles?

Answer 19

Through ‘sifting and sorting’ pupils through exams to test their ability.

The most able get the best qualifications and then the most important jobs.

Question 20

How is ‘sifting and sorting’ pupils through exams meritocratic?

Answer 20

All pupils start with an equal opportunity to succeed.

Question 21

Why do Marxists argue education doesn’t create a value consensus?

Answer 21

Because it is a part of a ruling class ideology that only spreads a middle class culture known as habitus.

Question 22

Why do Marxists argue that meritocracy is a myth?

Answer 22

Because social class determines educational success, not effort or talent

Question 23

What do feminists argue schools pass on?

Answer 23

Argue they pass on patriarchal values which disadvantage women

Question 24

Why do Marxists argue role allocation may not work?

Answer 24

Schools may not identify a pupils talent.

Marxists argue that there is no equality of opportunity meaning role allocation is not equal