Bowles and Gintis

Who are Bowles and Gintis and what perspective do they take?

Marxist sociologists who argue that education serves the interests of capitalism by preparing students for the workforce.

What is the correspondence theory?

the idea that school mirrors the structure and values of the workplace, especially for the working class.

What similarities do Bowles and Gintis identify between school and work?

Both involve uniforms, strict time-keeping, hierarchy, and systems of rewards and punishments.

What is the purpose of these similarities between school and work?

They socialise students to accept inequality and authority, preparing them for exploitative work under capitalism.

How does education prevent rebellion according to Bowles and Gintis?

By conditioning students to obey authority and accept their future role in the capitalist system, reducing chances of revolution.

What phrase do Bowles and Gintis use to describe the link between education and work?

They say “work casts a long shadow over school,” meaning school is shaped to serve the needs of the workplace.

How is hierarchy taught in schools which reflects the workplace?

In schools there’s a hierarchy of headteacher at the top and staff then pupils at the bottom - hierarchy with pupils too with popularity/prefects

How does the hierarchy taught in education correspond with the workplace under capitalism?

Hierarchy in workplace with a boss/CEO at the top, different levels of management beneath that, with workers at bottom. Some workers may be given supervising roles like prefects

How are rewards and sanctions taught in schools which reflects the workplace?

Pupils rewarded with good marks or house points/certificates etc

According to Bowles and Gintis what gets the rewarded in schools?

Compliance, punctuality, perseverance and subservience not best academic work or effort

What do Bowles and Gintis suggest about sanctions for disruptive behaviour in school?

argue schools punish behaviour seen as disruptive, even if it’s creative or critical thinking, because they value obedience over independence — preparing pupils to be passive workers.

How does the rewards + sanctions taught in education correspond with the workplace under capitalism?

Rewards- pay, bonuses, reward is for forbearance and doing what is instructed, working tirelessly without complaint, working on time and not leaving early. Sanctions- disciplinary procedures, losing job

What do Bowles and Gintis believe about teaching students to be passive and docile in schools?

Train people to be passive and docile because of what is rewarded, they discourage creativity and complaints, encourage deference and subservience

How does schools teaching passive and docile behaviour correspond with the workplace under capitalism?

The capitalist system is seeking a passive, docile, unimaginative and uncomplaining workforce, the bosses have the ideas and expect workforce to get on with it- they do so bc they were trained in school

What do Bowles and Gintis believe about motivation in schools?

Schools encourage that the motivation to do well is an extrinsic reward (marks, qualifications) there’s no encouragement of intrinsic reward of learning or feeling well done

How does motivation correspond with the workplace under capitalism?

Mirrors workplace as people are encouraged to look at the reward (pay) rather than enjoyment of work which is usually tedious and unfulfilling

What do Marxists believe about motivation in response to capitalism?

People want to do interesting and fulfilling work but capitalism prevents them from doing this- it alienates them from their work bc their a cog in a larger system

What do Bowles and Gintis believe about fragmentation in schools?

Pupils learn knowledge in clear, delineated disciplines and making connections between them is discouraged

How does fragmentation correspond with the workplace under capitalism?

The workplace is also fragmented, people do their job with little knowledge of what else happens in the process.

What does capitalism create?

Alienation - helps the bosses control the situation, the workers create the products but they don’t have an overview word the whole process

Do functionalists agree with this Marxist perspective?

Yes, but they see it as a positive thing- they don’t see the workplace as a relationship between the employer and employee, they see preparation for workplace as good