Functionalism and Education
The functionalist perspective is a sociological viewpoint that examines how social order is possible and examines how societies remain relatively stable. It is referred to as a macro-sociological perspective as it is concerned with society as a whole and less concerned with individualism. It is focused on ensuring that the norms and values of a society are passed on from generation to generation. In order to ensure a society’s survival, it “must recruit new members as the older generation dies out,” (Blackledge & Hunt, 1985, p. 64). It is important that there are mechanisms in place to ensure that the younger generation acquires the language and the values of the society. In the functionalist theory, these mechanisms …show more content…
The cultural system comprises of the broad values and norms that are shared by society in general. The social system is made up of social rules and shared behavioral expectations. The personality system is ultimately composed of motives or needs, some innate and some social in nature. These are acquired during the socialisation process (Blackledge & Hunt, 1985). There is a hierarchy of control within these systems. This means that the cultural system controls the social system and the social system controls the personality system, the greater determines the nature of the lesser. In essence, individuals are shaped according their culture and the social roles they play. The role expectations of individuals are defined by societies moral standards and their personalities are moulded accordingly. (Blackledge & Hunt, …show more content…
There are two types of achievements obtained in education, the first being the cognitive learning of information and the second being moral values or responsible citizenship (Blackledge & Hunt, 1985). “Those relatively high in ‘cognitive’ achievement will fit better in specific-function, more or less technical roles; those high in ‘moral’ achievement will tend toward diffuser, more ‘socially’ or ‘humanly’ orientated roles,” (Parsons, 1961, as cited in Blackledge & Hunt, 1985, p. 74). Therefore, learners are slowly sifted in the categories of ‘low-achievers’ and ‘high-achievers’ and are further distinguished through academic or social success. This is both differentiation and socialisation (Blackledge & Hunt, 1985).
We are now going to look at the role functionalism plays in schooling.Schools are viewed as social institutions, and according to functionalists, play a crucial role in the socialisation process, ensuring that society remains ‘functional’ and stable and the ‘value consensus’ is kept. They are responsible for preparing the younger generations to take on the roles of adult society, ensuring that the baton of values and norms is passed on. They are responsible for skill provision and equipping future generations with the necessary proficiency needed to perform their roles within society
The functionalist perspective is a sociological viewpoint that examines how social order is possible and examines how societies remain relatively stable. It is referred to as a macro-sociological perspective as it is concerned with society as a whole and less concerned with individualism. It is focused on ensuring that the norms and values of a society are passed on from generation to generation. In order to ensure a society’s survival, it “must recruit new members as the older generation dies out,” (Blackledge & Hunt, 1985, p. 64). It is important that there are mechanisms in place to ensure that the younger generation acquires the language and the values of the society. In the functionalist theory, these mechanisms …show more content…
The cultural system comprises of the broad values and norms that are shared by society in general. The social system is made up of social rules and shared behavioral expectations. The personality system is ultimately composed of motives or needs, some innate and some social in nature. These are acquired during the socialisation process (Blackledge & Hunt, 1985). There is a hierarchy of control within these systems. This means that the cultural system controls the social system and the social system controls the personality system, the greater determines the nature of the lesser. In essence, individuals are shaped according their culture and the social roles they play. The role expectations of individuals are defined by societies moral standards and their personalities are moulded accordingly. (Blackledge & Hunt, …show more content…
There are two types of achievements obtained in education, the first being the cognitive learning of information and the second being moral values or responsible citizenship (Blackledge & Hunt, 1985). “Those relatively high in ‘cognitive’ achievement will fit better in specific-function, more or less technical roles; those high in ‘moral’ achievement will tend toward diffuser, more ‘socially’ or ‘humanly’ orientated roles,” (Parsons, 1961, as cited in Blackledge & Hunt, 1985, p. 74). Therefore, learners are slowly sifted in the categories of ‘low-achievers’ and ‘high-achievers’ and are further distinguished through academic or social success. This is both differentiation and socialisation (Blackledge & Hunt, 1985).
We are now going to look at the role functionalism plays in schooling.Schools are viewed as social institutions, and according to functionalists, play a crucial role in the socialisation process, ensuring that society remains ‘functional’ and stable and the ‘value consensus’ is kept. They are responsible for preparing the younger generations to take on the roles of adult society, ensuring that the baton of values and norms is passed on. They are responsible for skill provision and equipping future generations with the necessary proficiency needed to perform their roles within society