A Level Sociology Education AQA Practice Exam

According to Durkheim, what role does the hidden curriculum in schools play?

1. It promotes competition among students

2. It integrates students into socially agreed norms and values

3. It diversifies the teaching of ethnic backgrounds

4. It serves to select future leaders from the student body

The correct answer is: It integrates students into socially agreed norms and values

The hidden curriculum refers to the unwritten, informal lessons that students learn in school, which go beyond the formal academic content. According to Émile Durkheim, a foundational sociologist, the hidden curriculum plays a crucial role in integrating students into the broader society by instilling socially agreed norms and values. This integration is essential for social cohesion as it helps students understand and adopt the behavior, attitudes, and beliefs that are prevalent in their culture. Through everyday interactions, routines, and organizational structures within the educational environment, students learn about cooperation, respect for authority, punctuality, and the importance of following rules. These social norms are vital for functioning effectively in society and help to reinforce a collective identity among students. Durkheim emphasized that education serves a moral purpose, fostering a sense of belonging and community, which is fundamental in maintaining social order. The other options hint at different aspects of educational processes, but they do not encapsulate the primary role of the hidden curriculum as articulated by Durkheim. While competition among students and selections for future leaders may occur, they are more related to the visible curriculum and educational outcomes rather than the deeper, implicit socialization provided by the hidden curriculum. Similarly, while diversifying the teaching of ethnic backgrounds is an important