Chapter 3; Social Science

Theories and Their

Implication to Education
At the end of the chapter, the students
must be able to explain three social science
theories and their implications to
education.
 Three social theories
1. Structural- functional theory
2. Conflict theory
3. The symbolic interactionist theory perspective
Structural- functional theory
• Herbert spencer, the proponent of structural- functional views society
as a system of interconnected parts each with a unique function. The
part have to work together for stability and balance of society. Society
compared to the human body with different but interrelated parts
performing different function. Just as the human body has many
parts, society is different but interrelated components such as the
family, the state, the school, the church, mass media, economics.
These must coordinate and collaborate for society to function well.
• If one part of the human body does not function well, the whole body
is affected. In the same way, when one components 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.
• Functional theory of education focuses on how education serves the
need of society through the development of skills encouraging social
cohesion. The role of schools is to prepare students for participation in
the institutions of society. Education is concerned with the
transmission of core values for social control.
• 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 take an active role in
changing their social environment, even when such change may
benefit them. Instead functionalism sees active social change as
undesirable because the various parts of society will compensate
naturally for any problems that me arise.
Purpose of Schooling According to
Functionalist
1. Intellectual purposes – acquisition of cognitive, skills, inquiry skills
2. Political purposes – educate future citizens; promote patriotism,
promote assimilation of immigrants; ensure order, public civility and
conformity to laws
3. Economic purposes – prepare students for later work roles; select
and train the labor force needed by society
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
Conflict Theory
• According to this theory, there are always two opposing sides in a
conflict situation. People takes sides between maintaining the status
quo and introducing change then arrive at an agreement.
• Conflict theory welcomes conflict for that Is the way to the
establishment of a new society.
• Conflict theorists find potential conflict between any 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 against one another.
How Proponents of Conflict Regard
Education
• Education is not truly a social benefit or opportunity as seen by the
functionalists. Rather, education is a powerful means of maintaining
power structure and creating a docile work force for capitalism.
• The purpose of education is to maintain social inequality and to
preserve the power of those who dominate society and teach those in
the working class to accept their position as a lower class worker of
society.
 The Symbolic Interactionist Theory
Perspective
Three tenets of symbolic interactionist theory are;
1. An individual action depends on meaning. We acts based on the meaning we
give to symbols. Symbols can be actions, objects or words. If a student
understand that teacher believes in his/her ability he/ she tries his /her best
prove that indeed he/she is able. If a teacher does otherwise, a students tends
to behave in accordance with teachers poor perception.
2. Different people may give different meaning to the same thing. when
teachers are strict, some students see it as an expression of care. Others may
rebel because they perceive teacher behavior as limiting their moves and
desires.
3. Meaning change as individual interact with one another. A negative
meaning that you used to associate with hospital when you went to a hospital
which looked more as a hotel than the usual hospital you know is changed.
After you have taught well, your first impression of teaching as boring is