Sociology Education
Sociologists 2026 | Study
Guide, Practice Questions,
Answers, Rationales &
Exam Review
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Rationales
Included
, Parsons education is meritocratic
effort = rewards
education passes on universal value of achievement through secondary
socialisation
- judgement by universalistic standards
- examination
- behaviour
- achievement through effort and ability
bridge between family and society
Davis & Moore key function: role allocation
education sifts and sorts individuals according to their ability - meritocracy
Althusser (1971) education is part of the ideological state apparatus
education promotes ruling class values (not common values, as functionalists say)
education justifies and reproduces class inequality -> it does not produce equality of
opportunity
Bowles & Gintis (1976) education contains a hidden curriculum which promotes ruling class values and
attitudes
working class accepts their own failure, whereas in reality, it is the capitalist
education system which causes them to fail
- obedient workers
claimed that the education system reflects the needs of capitalism by giving pupils
the appropriate skills and attitudes to make them good workers
- correspondence principle
there is a direct correspondence between school and work (teachers as the boss
who control learning, pupils who are the workers with no control over their learning)
Chubb & Moe (1988) SEPTEMBER 1988: beginning of the national curriculum
state education is unresponsive to the needs of pupils and parents. tends to have
low standards
in contrast, private education has to please its customers in order to survive and
therefore standards are high and there is constant pressure to improve further
students strive to achieve - private schools better
Sociologists 2026 | Study
Guide, Practice Questions,
Answers, Rationales &
Exam Review
Updated Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales
Included
, Parsons education is meritocratic
effort = rewards
education passes on universal value of achievement through secondary
socialisation
- judgement by universalistic standards
- examination
- behaviour
- achievement through effort and ability
bridge between family and society
Davis & Moore key function: role allocation
education sifts and sorts individuals according to their ability - meritocracy
Althusser (1971) education is part of the ideological state apparatus
education promotes ruling class values (not common values, as functionalists say)
education justifies and reproduces class inequality -> it does not produce equality of
opportunity
Bowles & Gintis (1976) education contains a hidden curriculum which promotes ruling class values and
attitudes
working class accepts their own failure, whereas in reality, it is the capitalist
education system which causes them to fail
- obedient workers
claimed that the education system reflects the needs of capitalism by giving pupils
the appropriate skills and attitudes to make them good workers
- correspondence principle
there is a direct correspondence between school and work (teachers as the boss
who control learning, pupils who are the workers with no control over their learning)
Chubb & Moe (1988) SEPTEMBER 1988: beginning of the national curriculum
state education is unresponsive to the needs of pupils and parents. tends to have
low standards
in contrast, private education has to please its customers in order to survive and
therefore standards are high and there is constant pressure to improve further
students strive to achieve - private schools better
