Theories: Functionalism

Question 1

What is meritocracy?

Answer 1

What you put in is what you get out. Hard work = success. Believing that everybody is given the same opportunities, it is just how people use their time and resources to achieve differently.

Question 2

What do functionalists believe?

Answer 2

Each part of society, such as the family, economy or education system, performs functions that help to maintain society as a whole.

Question 3

What are Durkheim’s ideas about roles of education? (4 points)

Answer 3

• Social solidarity.
• Transmission of culture.
• Society in miniature.
• Division of labour.

Question 4

What are Durkheim’s 2 main functions?

Answer 4

• Social solidarity.
• Specialist skills.

Question 5

What is social solidarity?

Answer 5

• Individual members must feel themselves to be part of a single ‘body’ or community.
• The education system creates this by transmitting society’s culture - shared beliefs and values from one generation to the next.
• School acts as a ‘society in miniature’ preparing us for life in wider society.

Question 6

What are specialist skills?

Answer 6

• Education teaches individuals the specialist knowledge and skills that they need to play their part in the social division of labour.
• New Vocationalism: involves work-related study, learners acquire job-specific knowledge and skills in work-like situations.

Question 7

Did Parsons believe in meritocracy? And what did he say?

Answer 7

• Yes.
• “In a meritocracy, everyone is given an equal opportunity and individuals achieve rewards through their own effort and ability”.

Question 8

Why could the education system not be meritocratic?

Answer 8

Other factors affect outcomes.

Question 9

How do David and Moore see education?

Answer 9

As a device for selection and role allocation (like Parsons), but they focus on the relationship between education and social inequality.

Question 10

Do Davis and Moore see inequality as necessary?

Answer 10

• Yes.
• Important roles for the most talented people and encourages everybody to compete and work hard.
• Education plays a key part in this process because it acts as a proving ground for ability.

Question 11

What is the evaluation for functionalism?

Answer 11

• Meritocracy is a myth.
• Education isn’t linked to job skills.
• Most functionable jobs are questionable; are the highest paying jobs the most functionable for society?