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The document discusses the sociological foundations of education. It defines sociology as the study of social beings and social interactions within society. There are three main sociological theories discussed in relation to education: functionalist theory, conflict theory, and interactionist theory. [Functionalism views education as contributing to social stability through socializing children and transmitting social norms. Conflict theory sees education as perpetuating social inequality. Interactionism focuses on how individuals construct reality through daily social interactions.]

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15 views

Notes #1

The document discusses the sociological foundations of education. It defines sociology as the study of social beings and social interactions within society. There are three main sociological theories discussed in relation to education: functionalist theory, conflict theory, and interactionist theory. [Functionalism views education as contributing to social stability through socializing children and transmitting social norms. Conflict theory sees education as perpetuating social inequality. Interactionism focuses on how individuals construct reality through daily social interactions.]

Uploaded by

jolai
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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SOCIOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS OF EDUCATION

OVERVIEW

The term “Sociology” is derived from the Latin “Socius” which means “social
or being with others”; and the Greek “logos” which means “study”. Therefore,
the term “Sociology” basically means the “study of social beings”.

In other words, “Sociology is the science of society and the social interactions
taking place within it.”

Thus learning not only the ways of his immediate culture but of a larger
society.

HISTORY

August Comte (1798-1857)


-Father of Sociology
-Comte was followed by Herbert Spencer (Eng. Philosopher) writer of book
‘Principles of Sociology’ & who believed individual like a ‘cell’ and society like
an ‘organism’

Ginsberg
-“Sociology is the study of the human interaction and interrelation their
condition and consequences”.

Max Weber
- “Sociology is the science which attempts the interpretative understanding of
social action.”

EDUCATIONAL SOCIOLOGY 
-Branch of sociology
-Studies relationship between education and sociology and deals with its
problems. 
-It is primarily concerned with social factors in education.

SIGNIFICANT FIGURES
-MS Gore- application of scientific spirit, methods and principles of sociology
to the study of education”.

-Roucek- Educational Sociology is sociology applied to the solution of


fundamental educational problems.

George Payne(USA)- Father of educational sociology; Educational Sociology


is the science which describes and explains institutions, groups and social
processes in relation to the educational system in its evolution and changing
function.”
Ottaway-“Educational sociology starts with the assumption that education is
an activity which goes on in a society, and its aims and methods depends on
the nature of the society, in which it takes place 

-Brown “Educational sociology is the study of interaction of the individual and


his cultural environment including other individuals, social groups and patterns
of behaviours.

SCOPE OF SOCIOLOGY OF EDUCATION

a. It is concerned with such general concepts such as society itself, culture,


community, class, environment, socialization, internalization, accommodation,
assimilation, cultural lag, sub-culture, status, role and so forth. 
b. It is further involved in cases of education and social class, state, social
force, cultural change, various problems of role structure, role analysis in
relation to the total social system and the micro society of the school such as
authority, selection, and the organization of learning, streaming, curriculum
and so forth. 
c. It deals with analysis of educational situations in various geographical
contexts. Eg. Educational situations in rural, urban and tribal areas, in
different parts of the country/world, with the background of different races,
cultures etc.
d. It helps us to understand the effectiveness of different educational
methods in teaching students with different kinds of intelligences.
e. It studies the effect of economy upon the type of education provided to the
students. Eg. education provided in schools
f. It helps us to understand the effect of various social agencies like family,
school on the students.
g. It studies the relationship between social class, culture, language, parental
education, occupation and the achievement of the students.
h. It studies the role and structure of school, peer group on the personality of
the students.
i. It provides an understanding of the problems such as, communalism,
gender discrimination etc.
j. It studies the role of schools in socialization of the students.
k. It suggests ways to develop national integration, international
understanding, the spirit of scientific temper , globalization among the
students.
l. It promotes research studies related to planning, organization and
application of various theories in education.

THEORIES/ APPROACHES OF SOCIOLOGY OF EDUCATION

1. Functionalist Theory ( Emile Durkheim )

This theory is based on the assumption that a society is a complex system


which works together to promote stability. It emphasizes the way in which
each part of a society contributes to the whole so as to maintain stability.

According to this approach:


a. Society and institutions in society (such as education) are interdependent.
b. Society is much like the human body. Like parts of body, the parts of
society work together in a systematic way that is usually good for the whole.
Each part helps to maintain the state of balance that is needed for the system
to operate smoothly.
c. Society is represented by major units/institutions namely, family, religion,
education, politics, economics and health. Every unit must work and
contribute to the functioning of the whole society. Every unit plays a role in the
total system and are dependent on each other for survival.

Aspects:
1. It consists of functions and structures – which contribute to the stability of
society.
2. Integration – between all units and institutions in the society.
3. Maintain the stability in society.
4. Encourages changes to promote progress in society. Importance of formal
and non formal education in the socialization process of educating children; to
uphold values and norms of the society (education as means of
socialization ).

As for the functionalist perspective, the school serves very similar functions
and the five main social functions of education have been identified as:
(a) Socialization
(b) social control- Social control is where school expected to persuade their
students that it is necessary to behave according to these principles. Students
are graded not only on how well they learn but also on how well they
cooperate, how orderly they are and also even on personal grooming. Social
control functions of education extends well beyond socialization. School
serves as custodial institutions for the nation’s young, keeping children off the
streets.
(c) selection and allocation- Selection and allocation of people to enter
particular occupational positions rests with the schools. Assimilation is the
absorption of newcomers into the dominant society. Assimilation functions in
schools is geared towards including the poor and disadvantaged in the main
stream of society, whether or not they are recent immigrants.
(d) assimilation of newcomers and
(e) social innovation and change-Education contributes to change by
spreading and producing new knowledge, values and beliefs. Besides new
knowledge, education organization also produce and disseminated new
values and beliefs that can be potent generators of social change

2. Conflict Theory (Karl Marx)

This theory is based on the assumption that society is a complex system


characterized by inequality and conflicts that generate social change.

According to this theory, there are 3 important elements:


a. conflict
b. change
c. force
The conflict theory emphasizes on the struggle over limited resources, power
and prestige as a permanent aspect of societies and a major source of social
change. Based on the assumption that the parts of sociology, far from being
smoothly functioning units of a whole, actually are in conflict with one another.

According to this theory, the functions of education are :


(a) Stratification tool for the capitalist society.
(b) Social control
School is a training ground for workers in terms of attitude, technical skills,
intellectual abilities.
According to this theory, students with low academic achievement are chosen
for lower hierarchy jobs. These students normally are from the low income
group . Children from rich families have access to many privileges (example:
access to the best education) normally score high academic grades. They are
the ones who secure the better jobs.

Conflict theorists see education principally as a tool by the ruling classes to


perpetuate social inequality, both by controlling access to schooling and by
training docile, disciplined workers.

3. Interactionist Theory/ Symbolic Interactionism (Herbert George Blumer)

This theory is based on the assumption that society is involved in interaction


by which individuals actively construct reality in everyday life.

The major characteristics of the theory are:


a. Focuses on how people interact in their everyday lives and how they make
sense of this interaction.
b. Focuses on individuals’ interaction with one another.
c. Interactionist is concerned with the nature of daily interaction on the society
and how this interaction is perceived by people

They study individuals and small groups rather than large scale social
structures. They observe human behaviour at such close range,
interactionists tend to see people as having more freedom of actions –more
freedom from the constraints of society.

The important principles of this theory are:


(a. ) individual’s interaction ( through shared symbols & meanings ) enable him
to think.
(b. ) individual’s action and interaction develop into groups and societies.
(c. ) every individual will influence the other.

Individuals with similar culture and background will define and interpret social
situations in similar ways because of their similar socialization, experiences
and expectations. Their behaviour is guided by common norms. However,
differences do exists due to individual experiences, social class and economic
status
Consider this situation: A teacher walking past a classroom may generate a
positive feeling to some students and nervousness and anxiety in others.
These reactions happen because we tend to respond to others according to
the different labels we attach.

In education, this theory focuses on the common, ordinary interactions


between members in a school such as among peer groups, teachers and
students, teachers and principals.

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