The role of education in intergenerational social mobility: Problems from empirical research in sociology and some theoretical pointers from economics

Insofar as research into intergenerational social mobility and its mediation via education has had any theoretical context, this has been provided by the functionalist theory of industrial and post-industrial society. However, the inadequacies of this theory have become increasingly apparent, and rather little appeal to it is now in fact made. Yet no alternative body of theory has emerged. I propose that in developing the micro-level theory that is needed, sociologists could, with advantage, adapt to their own purposes theories originating in the economics of labour markets and, in particular, three theories in some degree deviating from mainstream human capital theory: screening and signalling theory; job competition theory; and incentive-enhancing preference theory. In this way, explanations for findings going contrary to expectations under the functionalist theory can be advanced that can already be provided with some degree of empirical support and that will be readily open to further testing.