Parsons

• Who influenced Talcott Parsons' ideas?

  Durkheim
• What important role does education perform according to Parsons?

  Establishing shared norms and values
• How does Parsons view the education system in terms of meritocracy?

  It helps society to be meritocratic
• What does meritocracy describe?

  A society where jobs and pay are based on talent and achievements
• According to the concept of meritocracy, who gets rewarded in society?

  Individuals who work hard
• What is the difference between ascribed status and achieved status?

  Ascribed status is based on birth, while achieved status is based on effort and ability
• What role does education play in role allocation according to Parsons?

  It sifts and sorts people into their appropriate jobs
• What does Parsons believe about natural ability in the context of education?

  It is an element of role allocation but should not be influenced by family background
• What value does the education system teach according to Parsons?

  The value of making an effort
• How does effort relate to social roles in Parsons' view?

  Effort ensures people perform the social roles to which they are best suited
• What do the intelligent and hardworking individuals achieve in the education system?

  Higher qualifications that access suitable jobs
• What do Marxists criticize about Parsons' view of education?

  They argue that the appearance of meritocracy is an ideology
• What do Marxists call the belief that the rich and powerful achieve their positions through hard work?

  The myth of meritocracy
• How do Marxists view the role of the education system in society?

  As a key role in reproducing class inequalities
• What do Marxists argue about class inequalities and education?

  They argue that class inequalities are reproduced in the next generation
• What is false class consciousness according to Marxists?

  Believing that inequality is fair due to the myth of meritocracy
• Who conducted a study on the relationship between IQ and academic success?

  Bowles and Gintis
• What did Bowles and Gintis find about IQ and academic success?

  IQ played a relatively small part in academic success
• What factors did Bowles and Gintis find that greatly affected academic success?

  Social class, ethnicity, and gender