The main function of education includes socialization, social control, selection and allocation, assimilation and subculture maintenance, and innovation and change. What term describes this?

• A. Socialization
• B. Main function of education
• C. Cultural transmission
• D. Economic development

Answer: (B)

These items describe what education does for society as a whole: it socializes individuals, enforces social norms (social control), allocates people to appropriate roles (selection and allocation), preserves and integrates subcultures (assimilation and subculture maintenance), and fosters innovation and change. Taken together, this broad set names the main function of education. The other terms don’t capture the full scope: socialization is only one part; cultural transmission focuses on passing culture rather than the whole range of functions; economic development is an outcome rather than a description of education’s role.