Education

How do different sociological perspectives view the role of education in society?

Consensus eg. Functionalists: they see education as benefitting everyone in society.

Conflict eg. Marxists: a tool to keep control of society

Define meritocracy

A system here achievements are based off talents and efforts rather than social background, which allows the most skilled workers to achieve the most important roles in society.

What is a particularistic view?

A view applied within the family where expectations are based on your ascribed (born) status, eg. eldest daughter.

What is a universalistic view?

Views upheld in wider society - one standard that applies to everyone. Your role in society is achieved by proving your worth.

How do functionalists view the education system?

They view it as a meritocratic system.

They believe everyone is given equal opportunity to prove their talents through the system.

To keep society functioning properly, it’s necessary that the most important roles are filled by the most able.

To ensure people will work hard to achieve these roles, these jobs are rewarded more highly.

What is social mobility?

The movement u or down between layers or ‘strata’ of society, eg. movement from working class to middle class.

Does school support the idea of social mobility?

Yes, as it has a meritocratic structure, and therefore people who are more talented do well, meaning they get more important, higher paying positions, supporting social mobility.

This can be criticised as some people have talent that isn’t recognised.

Do functionalists view education as an agency of socialisation?

Both Durkheim and Parsons saw education as the most important agency of socialisationin modern society.

Schools play a major role in teaching norms and values of society.

Durkheim believed schools create a sense of unity and social cohesion.

Schools act as agents of social control - they control our behaviour with trewards and punishments to make us conform to norms and values.

What did the Government introduce to be taught in schools in 2014?

The teaching of ‘British values’ in schools in for example PSHE, RE. These included:

Democracy

Rule of law

Individual liberty

Mutual respect and tolerance

What do Marxists say about social control in schools?

Social controls in schools reflects social control in wider society, and this is to benefit those in power.

Who theorised the ‘correspondance principle’? What is this?

Marxist sociologists Bowles and Gintis. They argue there is a correspondance principle between school and work. For example, obeying teachers is preparation for obeying a boss in the workplace.

What are the general roles / purposes of education?

Economic: teaching skills

Selective: creating meritocracy

Socialisation/social control: teaching acceptance of rules and authority

Political: teaching people to be effective citizens

How do functionalists view the economic role of education?

Functionalists like Durkheim believe the education system eases us the necessary skills to perform jobs - for example literacy, numeracy etc.

How do Marxists view the economic role of education?

They disagreed with the functionalists - Marxists see education as supporting capitalism and the social relations that are involved.

Education is a way to in force inequalities in society and ensure that working class children end up in working class jobs.

THey argued schools teach working class children the knowledge and skills to perform jobs at the lowest levels in society, and a seperate education system teaches upper-class children to take the top jobs in society.

How do Marxists view the political role of education?

They disagree with functionalists and argue only certain idea are encouraged and tolerated in schools - those of the powerful - and radical ideas are rejected and ridiculed.

How do functionalists view the political role of education?

They believe the education system helps people to exercise their political rights and to make good political choices.