Lecture 03 Liberal Functionalism

FUNCTIONALIST THEORIES OF SCHOOLING:2. Liberal Functionalism : 

FUNCTIONALIST THEORIES OF SCHOOLING:2. Liberal Functionalism 1

Slide 2: 

All structures in the ideal modern society play a positively functional role to reinforce organic solidarity anchored in a unified cultural system. The school plays the crucial function of socializing role expectation through meritocracy in education. Meritocracy is based on the belief in the “level playing field” to fulfill achieved status in society – “best achiever deserves best job.” 2

Slide 3: 

Organic solidarity may not necessarily exist in society. A structure may be dysfunctional – operating against functional unity or for the benefit of the dominant interest group only. Prominent liberal functionalists Ralph Turner, Robert Merton and Basil Bernstein. 3

Ralph Tyler : 

Ralph Tyler Sponsored versus Contest mobility

Robert Merton : 

Robert Merton Basic concepts of Merton’s theory

Slide 6: 

Concept 1 Although organic solidarity is the ideal state of society (consensus, shared norms & values, one culture, etc.), the individual has 5 functional alternatives.

Slide 8: 

Concept 2 Functions of all social structures may be divided into manifest and latent functions.

COMMERCIAL BREAK : 

COMMERCIAL BREAK 9

Basil Bernstein : 

Basil Bernstein Basic concepts of Bernstein’s theory

Slide 11: 

Concept 1 Society is divided into two social classes – a dominant upper/middle class and a subservient working class.

Slide 12: 

Concept 2 There are two distinct cultures in society – the ‘high’ culture of the upper/middle class and the ‘low’ culture of the working class.

Slide 13: 

Concept 3 As there are 2 cultures in society, there are also 2 language codes – the elaborated code of the upper/middle class and the restricted code of the working class.

Slide 14: 

Concept 4 The language code of the school is the elaborated code, working class children are disadvantaged in school because the restricted code is culturally-deficit.