Functionalism
Sociology of Education
Unit 08
What have traditional explanations of education suggested about attainment in schools?
Learning targets:
• According to Functionalists, education has three roles - socialization, skills provision and role allocation. • Education helps to support society by the socialisation of young people to cultural values. • Education categorizes people to the posts to which they are best suited according to their talents through the use of examinations and qualifications. • Everyone has the opportunity to succeed in society on the basis of their ability. • Schools operate according to meritocratic principles, and status is gained on the basis of merit.
Key questions
(AO1) What is functionalism?
(AO1) How do functional sociologists view the education system?
(AO2) What support is there for functionalist views of education?
(AO2) What criticisms can be made of functional views of education?
Summary of key points
Functionalism is a view of sociology that suggests that the role of a sociologist is to look at the workings of society, in a scientific manner, in order to discover how it works. Holmwood (2005) and others have said that social phenomena exist because there is a purpose for them. This is controversial; it leads to the view that many negative things such as crime exist because they fulfil societal needs.
Writers in the structural functionalist tradition of sociology claim that the education system is a meritocracy and that the education system exists to allow the most talented students through to fill the most important jobs in society. Testing of ability through examinations is one of the most fundamental elements of the British education system. British children are among the most tested in the world and this is controversial for a number of reasons, including the emotional impact of regular testing on children.
Emile Durkheim (1858 -
Unit 08
What have traditional explanations of education suggested about attainment in schools?
Learning targets:
• According to Functionalists, education has three roles - socialization, skills provision and role allocation. • Education helps to support society by the socialisation of young people to cultural values. • Education categorizes people to the posts to which they are best suited according to their talents through the use of examinations and qualifications. • Everyone has the opportunity to succeed in society on the basis of their ability. • Schools operate according to meritocratic principles, and status is gained on the basis of merit.
Key questions
(AO1) What is functionalism?
(AO1) How do functional sociologists view the education system?
(AO2) What support is there for functionalist views of education?
(AO2) What criticisms can be made of functional views of education?
Summary of key points
Functionalism is a view of sociology that suggests that the role of a sociologist is to look at the workings of society, in a scientific manner, in order to discover how it works. Holmwood (2005) and others have said that social phenomena exist because there is a purpose for them. This is controversial; it leads to the view that many negative things such as crime exist because they fulfil societal needs.
Writers in the structural functionalist tradition of sociology claim that the education system is a meritocracy and that the education system exists to allow the most talented students through to fill the most important jobs in society. Testing of ability through examinations is one of the most fundamental elements of the British education system. British children are among the most tested in the world and this is controversial for a number of reasons, including the emotional impact of regular testing on children.
Emile Durkheim (1858 -