Marxism - Sociologists

Which Sociologist talked about the Ideological State Apparatus?

Althusser

Ideological State Apparatus - Althusser

Ideological State Apparatus - institutions that shape the ideological and beliefs of individuals to maintain the status quo

• relies on reproducing labour power through two processes: skill development & reproduction of the proletariat’s submission to the ruling ideological

• creates a false class consciousness - leave people with a distorted picture of reality which legitimate/justifies inequality in society

• reproduces class inequality

Which Sociologists talked about the Correspondence Principle?

Bowles and Gintis

Correspondence Principle - Bowles and Gintis

point of schooling is to prepare W/C pupils for their role as exploited workers of the future

• serves capitalism by transmitting the attitudes and values needed in a subordinate work force and lowers so their aspirations so they will accept low paid work

hierarchy and authority, motivation by external rewards, lack of control, competitiveness, repetition and routine

Which Sociologists talked about the Hidden Curriculum?

Bowles and Gintis

Hidden Curriculum - Bowles and Gintis

refers to those norms and values which are taught indirectly and are part and parcel of the organisation and routine in the school

• purpose is to prepare young W/C students for W/C jobs through instilling in them the norms and values capitalists require

e.g. punctuality, respect for authority, having a pro-school attitude

Which Sociologists talked about the Myth of Meritocracy?

Bowles and Gintis

Myth of Meritocracy - Bowles and Gintis

the poor will feel inequality is unfair and rebel against the system responsible for it - education system helps to prevent this by legitimating class inequalities

• promoting idea of ‘meritocracy’ - people at the top deserve their high status and wealth

serves to justify the power and high status of the higher classes making it seem as though they gained their power and wealth through fair and open competition - justifies poverty

Which Sociologist talked about the Learning to Labour?

Willis

Learning to Labour - Willis

highlighted the complex relationship between educational, social class, and identity formation

• W/C students’ resistance to the education system inadvertently contributed on reproduction of their social class status and values, rather than challenging the capitalist system

resistance to authority, formation of counter-school culture, reproduction of W/C identity, lack of social mobility

Which Sociologist evaluated Usefulness of Willis’ Learning to Labour?

Arnot

Usefulness of Cultural Deprivation - Arnot

Willis’ study has significant relevance in today’s educational context in the UK

• schools have became increasingly exam-centric and competitive - decline of manual labour jobs has heightened uncertainty about future careers

• these factors make W/C masculinity and resistance to schools even more pertinent in the present educational landscape