WHO said WHAT and WHEN?

Revision (1): Functionalism

Functionalism & EducationEDUCATION HAS 3 MAIN FUNCTIONS THAT HELP SOCIETY.

1. Teaches skills needed for work.

2. Sifts and sorts (the allocation function).

3. Passes on core values (secondary agent of socialisation).

Functionalism & EducationWHO

WHAT

WHEN

Durkheim

•Passes on norms and values

…1858 – 1917…

•Integrates individuals into society

•Creates social order by encouraging a values consensus

Functionalism & EducationWHO

WHAT

WHEN

Parsons

•Bridges the gap…

1950’s…

•Selects…

•Meritocratic…

•Agrees with Durkheim…

Functionalism & EducationWHO

WHAT

WHEN

Davis and Moore

•Society sorts people…

1945

•Rules for how education does this…

•Principles of stratification…

•Unequal system of reward…

Functionalism & Education

The functionalist perspective suggests that education is meritocratic.

A MERITOCRACY IS WHEN SOCIAL REWARDS ARE ALLOCATED BY TALENT AND EFFORT (STATUS IS ACHIEVED).

Functionalism & Education

Is education really meritocratic?

Think about patterns of differential achievement in terms of class, ethnicity and gender….

Functionalism & Education

Does the allocation function work?

Think about the significance of ‘who you know rather than what you know’…

Functionalism & Education

Does education really prepare people for work?

Think about the skills shortages in society – e.g. engineering…

Functionalism & Education

Is education successful in creating social order?

Think about disruptive students, acts of vandalism and violence…