SOCIOLOGICAL

PERSPECTIVES
Learning Objectives:

• Explain the relationship of the various social

theories- the conflict, consensus,
functionalism and interactionist theories and
educational systems.
• Discuss how the various social theories affect
the functions of schools
 Consensus and Conflict Theory
• Consensus is a general or widespread agreement
among all members of particular society.

• Conflict is a clash between ideas and principles and

people.
CONSENSUS CONFLICT
Shared norms and values as fundamental • Emphasize the dominance of some
to society social groups
Focus on social order based on tacit • See social order as manipulation and
agreement control by dominant groups
Social change occurs in slow and orderly • Social change occurs rapidly and in
fashion disorderly fashion as subordinate groups
overthrow dominant groups

Examine value integration in society • Examine conflicts of interest and coercion

that holds society together
Absence of conflict is seen as the equilibrium • Can be COVERT or OVERT
sets on a society based on a general or • Focus on the
widespread agreement among all members of heterogeneous nature
a of society and the
particular society differential distribution
of political and social
power
Consensus is a Conflict is a
concept of society in disagreement or
which the absence of clash between
conflict is seen as opposing ideas,
the equilibrium state principles or people –
of society based on a this can be a covert
widespread or overt conflict.
agreement among all
the members of a
particular society.
Society cannot exist without both
conflict and consensus, which are
prerequisites of each other
(Dahrendorf). Thus, we cannot have
conflict unless there is some prior
consensus.
 The Conflict Theory

• According to Horton and Hunt (1984), focuses on

the heterogeneous nature of society and the
differential distribution of political and social
Power.

• sees society as a dynamic entity constantly

undergoing change as a result of competition
over scarce resources
The Conflict Theory
The Conflict Theory
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
• The Conflict Perspective assumes that social behavior is
best understood in terms of conflict or tensions between

competing groups. Such conflict need not to be violent; it

can take the form of..

•Conflict theory grew out of the
work of Karl Marx and focuses on
the struggle of social classes to
maintain dominance and power in
social systems.
What is the role of education in assuming the conflict theory?

Education plays in maintaining the

prestige, power, and economic and
social position of the dominant group in
society.
How do people or an organization settle a conflict ?

• Conflict theory assumes that social behavior is best

understood in terms of conflict or tensions between
competing group.

• Conflicts need not be violent; it can take the form of

labor negotiations, party politics, competition between
religious groups
• The conflict theorists are interested in how society's
institutions – the family, government, education and
the media – may help to maintain the privileges of
some groups and keep others in a subservient
position.
 Consensus Theory
• concerned with the maintenance or continuation
of social order in society, in relation to accepted

norms, values, rules and regulations as widely

accepted or collectively by the society – or within

a particular society itself.

• The consensus and conflict theories are
reflected in the works of certain dominant

social theorists such as …

• The works of Marx in his early years was
interpreted by some social theorists as
emphasizing the role of human beings in social
conflict. They explained change as emerging
from the crisis between human beings and their
society. They argued that Marx’s theory was the
theory characterized by class conflicts or the
conflict between the bourgeoisie (rich owners)
and the proletariat (poor workers).
 SUMMARY
• The conflict theorists are interested in how society’s
institutions-the family, government, religion, education,
and the media-may help to maintain the privileges of
some groups and keep others in subservient position.

• Emphasis on social change and redistribution of

resources makes conflict theories more “radical” and
“activist”
 SUMMARY

• The consensus theory is a sociological perspective or

collection of theories, in which social order and
stability/social regulation form the base of emphasis.
• It is concerned with the maintenance or continuation of
social order of society, in relation to accepted norms,
values, rules, and regulations of society
 Activity
Explain the following and cite an example .

• 1. Consensus Theory

• 2. Conflict Theory

• 3. How are the various social theories related to education

 LEARNING TASKS 1

1. Use a Venn diagram in comparing consensus and conflict

theories.

2. Interview a teacher or a friend on the influence of the

conflict and consensus theories on his/her work as a teacher.
Submit a write up of the interview. ( not less than 500 words)
 Interview Report Format

I. Introduction
Start with a humorous or interesting anecdote or fact that the person told you. Detail out who was interviewed,
what are they are known for, and the main purpose of the interview. Think of the question; what do you plan to tell your
reader about this person? This should be included in the introduction. Make sure you got the correct spelling of the
interviewee’s name and the correct information about the interviewee.

II. Paragraph 1: the questions you’ve asked and first big idea you learned

III. Paragraph 2: second big idea you learned from the interviewee

IV. Paragraph 3: third big idea you learned from the interviewee

V. Conclusion: wrap the report by summarizing and putting down a concluding observation about the person

• And now you’ve mastered the art of gathering information from interviews, it’s time get down to it and write. As
you’ve done the process, you will be amazed at how much you’ve learned from your interviewees. Conducting an
interview is a good way to get to meet people and know more about them.
References:

• https://www.examples.com/business/interview-report-examples.html
• https://www.slideshare.net/jodasig/soc-di
• https://www.slideshare.net/janettecbalagot/introduction-to-social-dimensio
ns-of-education-23997631