Functionalist theories

What are the three key points of Durkheim?

1) Aim in society is homogeneity - Education achieves this by creating social solidarity

2) Today’s society is fragmenting and losing sense of connection as people become more individualised - education stops this

3) Specialist skills are developed through education which prepares them for the specialised division of labour

What are the two key points of Parsons?

1) Education does secondary socialisation - transitioning children from particularistic standards to universalistic standards

2) Education is a meritocracy - Society is at an age of social mobility, as ascribed status has been abandoned and achieved status is what now determines class.

What are the key point of Davis and Moore?

1) Education performs role allocation - allocating roles according to their skills and selecting who is good at doing what - for the workplace

What are particularistic standards?

The primary unique norms and values that are taught by the family.

What are universalistic standards?

The secondary universal values and norms that are taught through education.