Functionalism

• Human capital 


  Means the stock of knowledge, skills, values, habits and creativity that makes someone an economic asset to society.
• Hidden Curriculum


  Means the informal learning processes that happen in school. It is a side effect of education that teaches students the norms and values of society.
• Particularistic values


  Means values and norms which only apply to that particular in a given situation, e.g. home
• Universalistic values


  Means values and norms that apply to all members of society equally.
• 4 functions of education

  1. Socialisation and social solidarity
  2. Bridge between family and society
  3. Developing human capital
  4. Role allocation
• Socialisation and social solidarity

  Durkheim

  The education system meets a functional pre-request of society by passing on the cultural and values of society.

  This is achieved hidden curriculum and PSHE lessons.

  This helps to build social solidarity as it teaches students the core values of society.
• Bridge between family and society

  Parsons

  He believed that schools provide a link between the family and wider society which allows students to move from the ascribed status and particularistic values of the home to the meritocratic and universalistic values of wider society.
• Developing human capital


  Schultz

  This suggests that investment in education benefits the wider economy. Education can provide properly trained, qualified and flexible workforce.

  They argue that education makes sure that the best and most qualified people end up in jobs that require the most skill.
• Role Allocation


  Davis and Moore

  The education systems provides a means to selecting and sifting people into the social hierarchy.

  In a meritocratic society access to jobs and power, wealth and status are directly linked to educational achievement.
• Evaluation

  Ignores aspects of education which are dysfunctional, such as negative conflict.

  Myth of meritocracy – private education.

  Marxists – Hidden Curriculum reinforces social inequality and maintains ruling class ideology.

  Feminists – Hidden curriculum maintains and reinforces patriarchy not meritocracy.

  Wong – Functionalists see children as passive puppets of socialisation when the process is much more complex and involves teacher –pupil relationships.

  There is a weak link between educational achievement and economic success.