Education and Inequality Perspectives
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Questions and Answers

What is one of the primary roles of the sick individual in society according to Talcott Parsons?

  • To be viewed as deviant or unproductive (correct)
  • To be considered a productive member of society
  • To fulfill their societal roles despite illness
  • To contribute actively to societal roles

    • Which aspect of health does the functionalist perspective primarily focus on?

  • The absence of illness (correct)
  • The integration of social norms
  • Cultural perceptions of health
  • The psychological impact of sickness

    • What criticism is raised against the functionalist perspective on health?

  • It overly emphasizes social control in healthcare.
  • It ignores multiple factors influencing health experiences. (correct)
  • It promotes a balanced view of patient-doctor relationships.
  • It recognizes the stigma associated with illness.

    • How do interactionists differ in their approach to understanding illness compared to functionalists?

    <p>They emphasize social interactions and meanings of illness.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What concept did Goffman introduce in relation to illness?

    <p>Stigma</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the initial aim of radio broadcasting set up in South Africa in 1920?

    <p>To counter resistance to colonial rule</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What significant change occurred in the 1990s regarding media in African countries?

    <p>Liberation of airwaves and establishment of private radio stations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Marshall McLuhan, what role does media play in society?

    <p>It shapes human experiences and perceptions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is mass media described in modern society?

    <p>An influential, pervasive, and complex social institution</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a consequence of post-liberation regimes in many African countries?

    <p>Media access was curtailed and censored</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary function of education according to functionalism?

    <p>Transmitting skills</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to conflict theory, what is a significant issue within school systems?

    <p>Schools create and sustain social advantages and privileges</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which group is primarily identified as having power and privilege in the context of conflict theory?

    <p>The haves</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does functionalism suggest about the role of education in industrial societies?

    <p>It teaches essential workplace skills</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which function of education does NOT belong to functionalist theory?

    <p>Creating social conflict</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What question would likely be posed by conflict theorists regarding education?

    <p>Who decides the curriculum and its content?</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the constitution of South Africa 1996, what is guaranteed to everyone?

    <p>The right to a basic education</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect of schools does conflict theory criticize?

    <p>Their ability to misclassify students</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of media in the context of cultural hegemony?

    <p>To mask the oppressive nature of capitalist society</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which model suggests that media owners purposely manipulate content for specific audience reception?

    <p>Manipulative Model</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the South African context, which organization regulates media ownership?

    <p>Independent Communication Authority of South Africa (ICASA)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the hegemonic model, how is the dominance of a ruling class maintained?

    <p>By establishing cultural legitimacy through persuasion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does the government-owned SABC play in serving the public interest?

    <p>May prioritize the interests of the elite over the public</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a significant outcome of the Industrial Conciliation Act of 1924?

    <p>Representation of black African employees on industrial councils</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following characterizes the apartheid era's impact on employment?

    <p>Segregation of jobs based on racial hierarchy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was one aim of the Labour Relations Act post-apartheid?

    <p>Promote workplace democracy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following factors contributed to the crisis of Fordism by the mid-1970s?

    <p>Rigid labor forces and lack of flexibility</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key characteristic of neo-Fordism?

    <p>Decentralization and flexibility in production</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In Herzberg's Two Factor Theory, which of the following best describes 'hygiene factors'?

    <p>Work conditions and job security</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a primary belief of Marx about work?

    <p>Work is an avenue for self-realization</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement aligns with the characteristics of a bureaucratic structure?

    <p>Standardized steps make error correction challenging</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of economy characterized the transition of work post-1950s?

    <p>Jobless economic growth with labour flexibility</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was Henry Ford’s belief regarding mass production in the early 20th century?

    <p>It would make cars affordable for the general population</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Education and Inequality

    • Education can be seen as a system that perpetuates and reproduces existing levels of inequality.
    • The South African constitution of 1996 guarantees the right to basic and further education.

    Theoretical Perspectives on Education

    • Functionalism: Education serves to socialize individuals into societal norms and values, and equip them with workplace skills.
      • Emile Durkheim: Education plays a crucial role in socialising children and imparting societal norms and values.
      • Talcott Parsons: Education emphasizes individual achievement through universal standards and meritocratic processes.
    • Conflict Theory: Highlights the ways in which education perpetuates advantage and privilege within a society.
      • Focuses on the power dynamic between the dominant group and the marginalized group.
      • Questions the role of education in reinforcing existing inequalities and perpetuating the status quo.

    History of Labour Relations in South Africa

    • Industrial Conciliation Act of 1924: Established statutory machinery for collective bargaining and dispute resolution.
    • 1925-1948: Growth in manufacturing and service sectors led to increased unionization and rationalization of labour relations.
    • Apartheid Era (1948 onwards): Marked by racial segregation and discrimination in the workplace and society.
      • Job reservation and racial hierarchy were integral to the system.
      • The Apartheid regime was a system of racial segregation and unequal rights.

    Post-Apartheid Era

    • Post-1994: Significant changes in labour legislation aimed at de-racializing and democratizing workplaces.
      • Labour Relations Act, Employment Equity Act, Basic Conditions of Employment Act, Skills Development Act were introduced.
    • Challenges: Increased casualisation of work, growth in youth unemployment, labour flexibility, and decline in union membership in some sectors.

    The Transition of Work

    • Fordism: Characterized by mass production, division of labour, standardization, and tight managerial control.
      • Henry Ford: Introduced the moving assembly line in 1913.
      • Criticism: Alienation of workers, deskilling, and lack of worker autonomy.
      • Marx: Criticized the alienation of workers under capitalism.
      • Weber: Emphasized the alienating effects of bureaucracy.
    • Post-Fordism: A more flexible production model that emphasizes decentralization, specialization, and worker skill development.
      • Key concepts: Decentralization, flexibility, specialization, team structures, and niche markets for high-quality products and services.

    Sociological Perspectives of Work: Bureaucracy vs. Non-Bureaucracy

    • Bureaucratic structures: Characterized by standardized procedures, limited worker autonomy, and difficulty in correcting mistakes.
    • Non-bureaucratic structures: Allow for greater flexibility, autonomy, and responsiveness to worker concerns.

    Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory

    • Hygiene factors: Factors like work conditions, rewards, and job security that can prevent dissatisfaction but do not lead to motivation.
    • Motivators: Factors like achievement, recognition, and growth opportunities that can lead to job satisfaction and motivation.
    • Important principle: Treating employees as human beings, not just workers, is key to job satisfaction and productivity.

    The Sociology of Health

    • Functionalist perspective: Focuses on the disruption of social functioning caused by illness.
      • Illness: Seen as deviance from social norms.
      • The sick role: Expectations and rights associated with being ill.
      • Criticism: Ignores social inequalities and factors that influence health outcomes.
    • Interactionist perspective: Focuses on social meanings and definitions applied to illness.
      • Stigma: How individuals are labeled and treated based on their illness.
      • Social interactions: The impact of individual perceptions on shaping social interactions regarding illness.

    Media & Technology

    • Historical Overview: Radio broadcasting in South Africa began in 1920s, initially aimed at counteracting colonial resistance from African elites.
      • Post-liberation: Curbed media access and censorship in many African countries.
      • 1990s: Liberalisation of airways, establishment of private radio stations, flourishing of independent press.
    • Mass Media: Influential social institution that shapes how people experience the world.
      • Marshall McLuhan: Media shapes human perception beyond just transmitting information.
      • Media bias: Can be used to promote specific agendas.

    Conflict Theory and Mass Media

    • Gramsci: Cultural hegemony – how the dominant class maintains control through cultural influence.
      • Mass media: Can be used to pacify the public through standardized images and messages.
    • Conflict perspective on mass media:
      • Manipulative model: Media owners purposely control content and messaging.
      • Control of the Media model: Powerful individuals and institutions use media to promote their views.
      • Hegemonic model: Dominant ideology is maintained through persuasion and cultural legitimacy.

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    Description

    Explore critical theories surrounding education and its role in perpetuating inequality, particularly in the South African context. This quiz covers functionalism, conflict theory, and the constitutional right to education as established in 1996.

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