Consensus Theories

 Shared norms(pamantayan) and values as fundamental(pangunahin) to society.

 Focus on social order based on tacit agreements(hindi pinapahayag)
 Social change occurs in slow and orderly fashion.

Conflict Theories

 Emphasize the dominance(power and influence over other) of some social groups.
 See social order as manipulation and control by dominant groups.
 Social change occurs rapidly and in a disorderly fashion.

Consensus theory – is a general or widespread agreement among all members of a particular society.

Consensus theory gives the opportunity for real education to flow freely. Decision are made out of a
unified agreement among leaders and members of a group. Learning competencies and strategies are
well-planned by a conglomeration of experts. Meetings and consultations are made to come up with
acceptable school rules and regulations.

Conflict Theory – is a clash between ideas, principles and people.

- Makes one group dominant over other groups. Dominant group dictates the rules
and expects unwavering obedience from its members.

In the field of education, Conflict theory can develop the students’ ability to focus and achieve mastery
of certain skills and concepts if the teacher is seen as dominant or “ruler” over the learners. In some
cases, the dominant entity can be the school administration, or the supreme student council. This can
exact order and cut down misbehaviour, but I personally think that conflict theory is applied all
throughout the learning process, order may be present but freedom is curtailed. Later on, rebellion will
rise.

What is the Impact of conflict theory in the Philippine education system?

 Schools contribute to the unequal distribution of people into jobs in society.

 Powerful members – best positions.
 Less powerful groups ( minority, ethnic, racial, women) – lowest rank

What is the role of education in assuming the conflict theory?

Education plays in maintaining the prestige, power, and economic and social position of dominant group
in society.

How do people or an organization settle a conflict?

Conflicts need not be violent, it can take the form of labor negotiations, party politics, and competition
between religious groups.
The Proponents of consensus and conflicts sociological and social theories are:

1. Karl Marx
2. Emile Durkheim
3. Max Weber – schools teach and maintain particular “ Status Cultures”
Status Cultures – refer to groups in society with similar interest and positions in the status
hierarchy.
4. Talcott Althusser and Ralph Dahrendorf
5. Herbert Mead and Herbert Blumer.

Symbolic Interactions

- Is a micro – level theory that focuses on the relationships among individuals within a
society. Communication – the exchange of meaning through language and symbols
– is believed to be the way in which people make sense of their social words.
Theorist and Reynolds – note that this perspective sees people as being active in
shaping the social world rather than simply being acted upon.
- Specific research finds that social interaction in schools affects the development of
gender roles and that teachers’ expectation of pupils’ intellectual abilities affect
how much pupils learn. Certain education problems have their basis in social
interaction and expectations.

The Function of Education

- Function theory stresses the functions that education serves in fulfilling a society’s
various needs.

Most important function of education is:

Socialization – if children are learn the norms, values and skills they need to function in society, then
education is a primary vehicle for such learning.

Social Integration – For a society to work, functionalist say, people must subscribe to common set of
beliefs and values.

Social Placement – students are identified by teachers and other school officials both as bright and even
educationally challenged.

Social and Cultural innovation – educated in the many subjects they need to know for their chosen path.

Consensus theory is a general or widespread agreements among the members a of a society. In

education Consensus theory, decision and agreement among the teachers, parents, students and school
staffs are made to come up with acceptable school rules and regulation.