CHAPTER SOCIAL SCIENCE THEORIES and

their IMPLICATIONS to EDUCATION

Intended Learning Outcome:

At the end of the Chapter, the students must be able to explain three social
science theories and their implications for education.

Introduction

Sociologists today employ three primary theoretical perspectives: the

functionalist, conflict, and symbolic interactionist perspectives. These perspectives
offer sociologists theoretical paradigms for explaining how society influences people
and how people influence society. Each perspective uniquely conceptualizes society,
social forces, and human behavior.

1. Sing this song:

Dem Bones
(refer to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=for the melody)

Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones,

Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones,
Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones,
Now shake dem skeleton bones!

The toe bone’s connected to the foot bone,

The foot bone’s connected to the ankle bone,
The ankle bone’s connected to the leg bone,
Now shake dem skeleton bones!

The leg bone’s connected to the knee bone,

The knee bone’s connected to the thigh bone,
The thigh bone’s connected to the hip bone,
Now shake dem skeleton bones!

Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones,

Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones,
Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones,
Now shake dem skeleton bones!

The hip bone’s connected to the backbone,

The back bone’s connected to the neck bone,
The neck bone’s connected to the head bone,
Now shake dem skeleton bones!

The finger bone’s connected to the hand bone,

The hand bone’s connected to the arm bone,
The arm bone’s connected to the shoulder bone,
 Now shake dem skeleton bones!

Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones,

Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones,
Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones,
Now shake dem skeleton bones!

2. a) Choose any object in the room to symbolize your care for someone.
Keep the meaning to yourself. Give that symbol to someone in class.
b) Ask that someone for the meaning he/she gave to your symbol. Is it the
same meaning that you initially gave?

Analysis

1. According to the song, what is connected?

2. What do you expect if these bones are connected? Does malfunctioning of
one bone affect the other bone?
3. In activity # 2, was the meaning you gave to your symbol the same as the
receiver's meaning? If not, how did this affect you? Do you feel you were
misunderstood?

Abstraction

The Dem Bones song introduces us to one of the three social theories we
shall learn in this Chapter, the functionalist theory.

Three Social Theories

1. Structural-functional theory

Herbert Spencer, the proponent of structural-functional, views society as "a

system of interconnected parts, each with a unique function. The parts have to work
together for stability and balance of society." Society is compared to the human body
with different but interrelated parts performing different functions. Just as the human
body has many parts, society has different but interrelated components such as
family, the state, the school, the church, mass media, and economics. These must
coordinate and collaborate for society to function well. The whole body is affected if
one part of the human body does not function well. In the same way, when one
component of society does not do its part, society will not function well. The overall
health of the organism (society) depends upon the health of each structure.
It is precisely the message of the song, Dem Bone. The bones are
interconnected. Each has a unique function.
For instance, there is peace, stability, equilibrium, and harmony in society if
the family does their part in bringing forth children, nurturing and socializing them; if
education or schools effectively transmit knowledge, skills, and values; if politics
governs citizens well; if economic take care of food production, distribution of goods
and services and if religion strengthens the moral fiber of the member of society.
Failure of one social institution to do its part means disruption of stability in society.
For example, the rise of single-parent and dual-earner families means families have
less time or sometimes no more time left to supervise children in their homework
which may increase non-performing students in school.
In the high-tech world, educational institutions must teach adults the new skills
to relate to the tech-savvy young and the world and be more effective in the
workplace. With more women in the workplace, policies against sexual harassment
and discrimination were formulated. The Cybercrime Act of 2012 addressed legal
issues concerning online interactions and the internet in the Philippines.
The functionalist theory focuses on how education serves society's needs by
developing skills that encourage social cohesion. The role of schools is to prepare
students for participation in the institution of society. Education is concerned with the
transmission of core values for social control. Education is concerned with socializing
people by bringing together people from different backgrounds. The functionalist
theory is focused on social stability and solidarity. Functionalists see education as a
beneficial contribution to an ordered society.

Functionalism does not encourage people to actively change their social

environment, even when it may benefit them. Instead, Functionalism sees active
social change as undesirable because the various parts of society will naturally
compensate for any problems. For example, schools can compensate for the lack of
time and lack of parental advice from home.

Purposes of Schooling according to Functionalism

The purpose of schooling, according to the functionalism theory, is:
1. Intellectual purposes- acquisition of cognitive skills, inquiry skills.
2. Political purposes- educate future citizens; promote patriotism; promote
immigrants; ensure order, public civility, and conformity to laws.
3. Economic purposes- prepare students for late work roles and select and
train society's labor force.
4. Social purposes- promote a sense of social and moral responsibility; serve
as a site for the solution or resolution of social problems; supplement the
efforts of other institutions of socialization such as the family and the church.
Examining the current curricula in essential and tertiary education shows that these
four functions are given attention.

2. Conflict Theory
According to this theory, there are always two opposing sides in a
conflict situation. People take sides between maintaining the status quo,
introducing change, and then agreeing. Conflict theory welcomes conflict,
which is the way to establish a new society. Conflict theorists find potential
conflict between groups where inequality exists: racial, gender, religious,
political, economic, and so on. Conflict theorists note that unequal groups
usually have conflicting values and agendas, causing them to compete
against one another. This constant competition between groups forms the
basis for the ever-changing nature of society.
The factory workers want to change better working conditions and
higher salaries. The factory owners naturally are opposed to such. However,
 resolving the conflict leads to a compromise, a change in how the factory is
managed where both workers and owners are happy.

How Proponents of Conflict Theory Education

According to the conflict theory, education is not truly a social benefit or
opportunity, as seen by the functionalists. Instead, education is a powerful
means of maintaining power structures and creating a docile workforce for
capitalism. The purpose of education is to maintain social inequality, preserve
the power of those who dominate society, and teach those in the working
class to accept their position as lower-class workers. Conflict theorists call this
the "hidden curriculum." The "hidden" curriculum socializes young people into
obedience and conformity to being developed as docile workers.
Functionalists disagree strongly. They assert that if schools teach
adherence to policies, obedience to rules, respect for persons, including
authorities, punctuality, and honesty, civil right, they are the very principles of
a democratic way of life. It is not because they want to make the workers
remain docile, unquestioning, and subservient forever. In contrast, those in
power remain in power.

3. The Symbolic Interactionist Theory Perspective

Three tenets of symbolic interactionist theory are:

1. An individual’s action depends on meaning. We act based on the

meaning we give to symbols. Symbols can be actions, objects, or words. If
a student understands that teacher believes in his/her ability, he/she tries
his/her best to prove that he/she is indeed able. If a teacher does
otherwise, a student tends to behave following the teacher's poor
perception.
2. Different people may give different meanings to the same thing.
When teachers are strict, some students see it as an expression of care.
Others may rebel because they perceive the teacher's behavior limiting
their moves and desires. A businesswoman may look at a tree and start
estimating how much money he can get if the tree is cut down for lumber.
A philosopher or a poet may look at it with the thought, "They also serve
who only stand and wait," like John Milton in his poem "On His Blindness."
3. Meanings change as individuals interact with one another. A negative
meaning you used to associate with a hospital when you went to a hospital
that looked more like a hotel than the usual hospital you know is changed.
After you have taught well, your first impression of teaching as boring is
changed to exciting.

Implication to Teaching
Let us continue to teach for meaning. Let us promote and create genuine
interaction among our students, teachers, and teachers. Interaction does not only
mean dealing with warm bodies. Interaction includes reading, listening and viewing.
Other people's views and meanings are conveyed in what they have written, in their
speeches and lectures.
Let us use positive symbols – gestures, words, actions, and appearances – to
express our trust, belief in our student's abilities, and an affirmation of their being.
Our belief in our students also has a positive effect on us. We find ourselves more
prepared in class, more caring, and truly professional.
The symbolic interactionist perspective, also known as symbolic
interactionism, directs sociologists to consider the symbols and details of everyday
life, what these symbols mean, and how people interact.
As the term implies, symbolic interactionist theory states that people interact
with one another through symbols. Language is a predominant symbol among
people. According to the symbolic interactionist perspective, people attach meanings
to symbols and act according to their subjective interpretation of these symbols.
Verbal conversation, in which spoken words are the predominant symbols, makes
this subjective interpretation especially evident. The words have a specific meaning
for the sender, and, during effective communication, they hopefully have the same
meaning for the receiver. In other words, words are not static; they require intention
and interpretation. The conversation is an interaction of symbols between individuals
who constantly interpret the world around them. To ensure mutual understanding,
the sender and the receiver of the symbol must give the same meaning to the
symbol or run the risk of misunderstanding.
Faulty communication can result from differences in the perception of
the same events and symbols. Did you experience this in your activity of
giving symbols of caring? While you looked at your symbol as something
expressing your love and care, your partner may not have understood it that
way at all. It happens in real life. Others must understand our symbols in the way
they were intended to be. Sometimes it happens in the language (which is a symbol)
we speak. Often we are misunderstood, or we misunderstand others. So let us keep
on communicating.

Weakness of Symbolic Interaction Theory

Critics claim that symbolic interactionism neglects the macro-level of social
interpretation-the “big picture”.in other words, symbolic interactionists may miss the
more significant issues of society by focusing too closely on the "trees" or by
restricting themselves to small or individual interactions.
Symbolic interactionism traces its origin to Max Weber’s assertion that
individuals act according to their interpretation of the meaning of their world.
However, the American philosopher George H. Mead (1863-1931) introduced this
perspective to American sociology in the 1920s.

Application

1. The purposes of schooling, according to the functionalist theory, are:

1) Intellectual purposes – acquisition of cognitive skills, inquiry skill
2) Political purpose – educate future citizens; promote patriotism; promote
immigrants; ensure order, public civility, and conformity to laws.
3) Economic purposes – prepare students for later work roles and select and
train society's labor force.
 4) Social purposes – promote a sense of social and moral responsibility;
serve as a site for the solution or resolution of social problems;
supplement the efforts of other institutions of socialization such as the
family and the church.

- Cite how schools are currently working on realizing these four purposes as
cited by functionalists.

2. Adherents to the conflict theory claim that schools teach loyalty. Hence, those
in power remain in power, and those below will forever be at the bottom. Do
you agree? Why or why not?

3. Individuals act based on meaning. This meaning is based on individuals’

experiences. Meanings change. Give two implications of these symbolic
interactionist thoughts to education.

TAKEAWAYS

• Functionalism is a theory of society that focuses on the structures that create

social and how society can remain stable.
• Functionalists are for stability and a state of equilibrium in society.
• To maintain this stability, various institutions are expected to do their part.
• For the functionalists, change is necessary only when things get unstable.
• Conflict theory welcomes conflict, for conflict paves the way to change and
establish a new society.
• The symbolic-interactionist theory focuses on individuals who act based on
meaning based on an individual's experience. These meanings are not
permanent. They change over time as the individual continues interacting with
others and symbols.

Let’s Check for Understanding

Which social science theory is referred to?

1. The overall health of society depends upon the healthy functioning of its
institutions.
2. Meanings that individuals give to symbols change over time.
3. Faulty communication can result from differences in the perception of the
same events and symbols.
4. School tech humanitarian attitude, altruism, democracy, civil rights, and other
positive aspects to society preserve society and social order.
5. When the institution fails to function, another institution ought to come in to
perform the function for the stability of society.
6. A new society comes from resolving the clash between the powers that be
and the workers.
7. Two opposing sides are welcomed. It paves the way to change.
8. When the institution fails to perform its function, the other institutions should
come in to preserve the society.
9. One weakness of this theory is this it is focused on small interactions.
10. Differences in the meaning of symbols for both sender and receiver result in
misunderstanding.

Let’s Reflect
1. Based on the lesson on symbolic-interactionist theory and the movie, The
Little Prince, what does this quote mean: “Words are a source of
misunderstanding." Any personal message? Could you write it down?

Taking it to the Net

Research more school practices based on the functionalist, conflict, and
symbolic interaction theories. Write them on a whole sheet of paper to be passed
in class.

LET Clinchers
Direction: Choose the letter of the correct answer.
1. Which is an application of the functionalist theory?
A. Schools must do their part to socialize children, or else children will
become delinquent citizens.
B. Schools must teach students to accept their status in life, for there is
nothing they can do about it.
C. Schools must teach learners that there will always be the powerful and the
powerless in life.
D. Schools must teach students to speak in clear symbols.
2. Who is associated with the conflict theory?
A. Weber C. Dewey
B. Marx D. Durkheim
3. Which theory states that it is okay to have clashed in society?
A. Functionalism C. Symbolic interactionism
B. Conflict theory D. Social Darwinism
4. According to the functionalism theory, what happens when one institution fails
to do its part?
A. Other institutions get paralyzed
B. The non-functioning institution gets eliminated
C. Other institutions take over the function
D. The non-performing institution gets penalized
5. For an ideal interaction in the community, what must be observed?
A. The symbol must be contemporary.
B. Do not use symbols.
C. Those involved must analyze the meaning of the symbol.
D. The symbol must be clear to both the giver and receiver.