Functionalism Theory of Education

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There are three main theoretical perspectives (or theories) that represent the views of sociologist and educators, these views are the conflict perspective, symbolic interactions, and functionalism. Although all of these theories are important to education and society, I have chosen to focus my research or theoretical perspective on functionalism also including the effects functionalism and education.

The Functionalist perspective is one of the most dominant core perspectives in sociology and is an analysis of social and cultural phenomena in terms of the functions they perform in a social system. In functionalism, societies are conceived of as a system of interrelated parts in which no part can be understood in isolation from the whole. A change in any part is seen as leading to a certain degree of imbalance, which in turn results in changes in other parts of the system and to some extent to a reorganization of the system. The development of functionalism is based on the model of the organic system found in the biological sciences. (Anisef 2000)

The Functionalist perspective looks at education as a type of sorting station in which students undergo thorough training and testing so that they are given their appropriate place in society, this all depends on how well they perform in examinations. Functionalists also take into account that many societies come from a variety of national and cultural backgrounds. Their views also suggest that western society-based schools give awards on the basis of the individual ability, talent effort, etc. The function of education in a functionalist world would be selection. The education system selects people and allocates to them certain jobs according to their capabilities. The education syst...

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... to the functionalist perspective, one way in which society perpetuates itself is through its education system.

References

"Sociology: Theories of Education - CliffsNotes." Get Homework Help with CliffsNotes Study Guides - CliffsNotes. Web. 04 Mar. 2011. .

Hoenisch, By Steve. "Durkheim and Educational Systems." Criticism.Com: Home. Web. 04 Mar. 2010. .

Anisef, Paul. "Overview of Theories Related to Comparative Education: Structural Functionalism, Conflict and Selected Micro Perspectives." Web. 04 Mar. 2011

Van Krieken, R., Smith, P., Habibis, D., McDonald, K., Haralambos, M., & Holborn, M. 2000, Sociology: Themes and Perspectives, (2nd edn.), Longman Pearson Education, Sydney.

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