WJEC Eduqas GCSE SOCIOLOGY (education only!)

• Functionalist view of the role of education:

  • Education is based on meritocracy
• Functionalists:

  • Parsons
  • Davis and Moore
• Role allocation theory - Davis and Moore


  Schools sort and select the most appropriate pupils into different roles/jobs, according to their effort or talent.
• Criticism towards Functionalist view on Education.

  • Marxists argue that education works in the interests of the rich.
  • Functionalism downplays the negative aspects of school, e.g. bullying, misogyny, racism and classism in education.
  • Feminists question the functionality of schools, mirroring a patriarchal society.
• Marxists:

  • Bowles and Gintis
  • Bourdieu
  • Willis
• Cultural Capital - Bourdieu

  Having the skills and attitudes needed to succeed.
• Criticism towards Marxist view on Education.

  • Meritocracy is not a complete myth - Many w/c pupils succeed.
  • Not everything are set up to benefit capitalism
• Feminist:

  • Francis
  • Sue lees
• Feminist view of the role of education:

  • Education system maintains and justifies gender inequality.
  • Schools are patriarchal and reflecting patriarchal system in wider society, e.g. schools run by men and in favour of men.
  • Gender subjects, e.g. engineering=boys, Food tech=girls. -> Education legitimises patriarchy and teaches women & girls to accept their position in society.
• Francis views on Education:

  Argues that one way in which girls are side lined at school is through boys domination of space and time and attentions of teachers.

  For example:

  • Far more space given to boys playing football than any girls activities.
  • Louder in the classroom, demanding more teacher attention.
• Sue lees views on education:

  Argues that schools are a key place where patriarchy and sexual control begins.

  • 'Sexual double standards' -> When similar sexual behaviours are evaluated differently depending on whether a man or a woman performed them.
  • For example: Girls who flirt are criticised, whilst boys are often praised for the same behaviour.
• Criticism towards Feminist views on Education:

  In the last 30 years, girls have outperformed boys at school.
• Labelling 


  Pre-judging a person by attaching a meaning to them.
• Self-fulfilling prophecy (SFP)


  When an expectation or belief influence your behaviour, causing the belief to come true.
• Becker's view on education (Interactionalist)


  He said teachers label students according to the 'Ideal Pupil'.

  • Middle class are seen as the closest to the Ideal pupil, whilst Working class are the furthest.
• 'Ideal Pupil'

  Pupils that work hard, behaves well and look/dresses smart.
• Hidden Curriculum


  What we learn in school, but not in lessons. e.g. Socialisation in norms and values, such a obedience and gender roles.