A Level Sociology Education AQA Practice Exam

Which of the following critiques of functionalism was made by Hargreaves?

1. education is solely based on inherited advantages

2. Schooling emphasizes individualism over shared values

3. Functionalism overlooks the importance of exams

4. Schools channel students into unpaid labour

The correct answer is: Schooling emphasizes individualism over shared values

Hargreaves' critique that schooling emphasizes individualism over shared values points to a significant aspect of education and its perceived role in society. In this view, Hargreaves suggests that the educational system tends to focus on individual achievements and personal success rather than fostering a collective sense of belonging and shared societal values. This critique argues that while functionalism posits that education serves to integrate individuals into a cohesive social fabric, in practice, it may instead promote competition among students, leading to a prioritization of personal goals over collective societal needs. In contrast, the other critiques mentioned offer different perspectives that do not align directly with Hargreaves' view. The idea that education is solely based on inherited advantages touches on issues of social class and inequality, rather than the individualism exhibited in schools. The critique regarding exams addresses assessment methods and their implications but does not encapsulate Hargreaves' specific focus on individualism. Lastly, the notion that schools channel students into unpaid labor speaks to the functionalist view of education serving economic needs, which does not directly reflect Hargreaves' emphasis on individual success over communal values. Thus, the emphasis on individualism aligns most closely with Hargreaves' critique of functionalism.