Differential Education Achievement (original) (raw)

Differential Educational Achievement (DEA) is a sociological term often given to a concept that disagrees with some of the functionalist views on education. Many functionalists believe that an individual's academic success depends completely upon that person's IQ (intelligence quotient) and the effort they apply to their studies. They also believe that society works in a meritocratic system: that people work for what they achieve, and achieve what they deserve, according to their own merit and effort, i.e., they work hard to get the best jobs in later life.