Sociology Paper 1 Theories of Education

• What does the term "skills" refer to in the context of education?

  Passing particular talents and skills
• What is the main idea of Functionalism in sociology?

  • Society is a system of interdependent parts
  • Held together by shared culture or value consensus
  • Each part performs functions to maintain society
• What analogy do Functionalists use to describe society?

  Organic analogy
• What are the three central roles of the education system according to Functionalists?

  Formal Socialisation, Social Selection, Skills
• What is Formal Socialisation in education?

  • Official agent teaching norms and values
  • Reflects a value consensus in society
  • Transmits culture from one generation to the next
• Who is the founder of Functionalist sociology?

  Durkheim
• What does Durkheim argue is the main function of education?

  Creation of social solidarity
• How does education create social solidarity according to Durkheim?

  By transmitting society's culture and values
• What are the two ways education transmits culture according to Durkheim?

  1. Through the formal curriculum (e.g., subjects)
  2. Through the informal curriculum (e.g., behavior)
• What is a microcosm in the context of education?

  School acts as a society in miniature
• What is Althusser's criticism of Durkheim's view on education?

  • Education benefits capitalism, not people
  • Acts as an ideological state apparatus
  • Brainwashes students into capitalist norms
• What do Heaton and Lawson argue about education and gender?

  • Reinforces gender inequalities
  • Teaches boys and girls differently
  • Reflects patriarchal curriculum
• What does Parsons see as the role of school in society?

  Focal socialising agency
• Why does Parsons believe a bridge is needed between family and society?

  Family and society operate on different principles
• What skills do children learn in school according to Parsons?

  Punctuality and friendship
• What is the hidden curriculum?

  Norms and values taught indirectly
• How does the family judge a child according to Parsons?

  By particularistic values
• What type of values does society judge individuals by?

  Universalistic values
• What is meritocracy according to Parsons?

  Equal opportunity based on merit
• What do Bowles and Gintis criticize about Parsons' view on education?

  • Hidden curriculum socializes into capitalist values
  • School mirrors workplace hierarchy
  • Education does not act as a bridge
• What is Social Selection in education?

  • Choosing individuals for social roles
  • Based on performance in education
  • Reflects personal talent and effort
• What do Davis and Moore argue about education?

  It ensures important roles are filled by talent
• What is the neutral filter according to Davis and Moore?

  Education selects individuals based on talent
• What do Bowles and Gintis argue about the filter in education?

  • It is not neutral
  • Myth of meritocracy exists
  • Social class influences selection
• What do Chubb and Moe propose for education?

  More competition through a voucher system
• What is the impact of class background on achievement?

  • Greatly influences educational outcomes
  • Wealth affects access to resources
  • Class background determines opportunities
• What does Durkheim believe is a role of education?

  To teach skills for the workplace
• What do Marxists argue about the function of education?

  • Passes on capitalist skills
  • Reinforces social class segregation
  • Maintains inequality in society
• What does Althusser argue about education's role in capitalism?

  It is a tool for ideological control
• What are the two apparatuses Althusser describes?

  Ideological state apparatuses and repressive state apparatuses
• What does the ideological state apparatus do?

  Controls people's ideas, values, and beliefs
• What does the repressive state apparatus do?

  Maintains rule through force or threat
• What message does education convey according to Althusser?

  Success reflects talent and effort
• What do Bowles and Gintis argue about the education system's rewards?

  • Rewards submissive and compliant traits
  • Discourages independence and creativity
  • Mirrors workplace expectations
• What is the correspondence principle?

  Education mirrors the workplace structure
• What do Bowles and Gintis argue about the hidden curriculum?

  It socializes students into conformity
• What is cultural reproduction?

  • Transmission of cultural values and norms
  • Results in class reproduction
  • Maintains existing social structures
• What do Bowles and Gintis say about the myth of meritocracy?

  It promotes the idea that meritocracy does not exist
• What factor is most influential on income according to Bowles and Gintis?

  Family and class background
• What evidence do Bowles and Gintis provide about private school attendance?

  • 7% of UK public attended private school
  • 71% of senior judges attended private school
  • Reflects class inequality in education