INTRODUCTION TO THE SOCIAL DIMENSIONS OF EDUCATION

Sociologists see education as one of the major institutions that constitutes society. While theories guide
research and policy formulation in the sociology of education, they do also provide logical explanations
for why things happen the way they do. These theories help sociologists understand educational
systems.

Various social science theories

Conflict

1. Is a clash between ideas, principles and people.

2. Focuses on the struggle of social classes to maintain dominance and power in social
systems.

Consensus

1. A general or widespread agreement among all members of a particular society.

2. See shared norms and values as fundamental to society, focus on social order based on
tacit agreements, and view social change as occurring in a slow and orderly fashion
3. Emphasizes on social order, stability and social regulation.

Parson’s Structural functionalism

 States that society is made up of various institutions that work together in cooperation.
 Is concerned with the functions of schooling in the maintenance of social order.

4 fundamental imperatives of structural functionalism

1. Adaptation- a system must cope with external situational exigencies. It must adapt to its
environment and adapt environment to its needs.
2. Goal attainment- a system must define and achieve its primary goals.
3. Integration- a system must regulate the interrelationship of its component parts. It
must also manage the relationship among the other three functional imperatives.
4. Latency (pattern maintenance) – a system must furnish, maintain, and renew both the
motivation of individuals and the cultural patterns that create and sustain the
motivation.

Interactionist Theories

 Symbolic Interactionism - which requires mental processes ; ability to think

 Non-symbolic interactions- which does not involve thinking. Ex: defense mechanism