PREPARED BY DR. GOGGI GUPTA

SIER ,PHASE -6 MOHALI

Sociology Of Education –NATURE,SCOPE AND APPROACHES

The word Sociology is derived from two Greek terms

Science of Society

The study of “man in society” gave emergence to a new discipline called sociology.

Sociology can be defined as the study of man and his environment in their relation

with each other.

August Comte (1798-1857) Father of Sociology

Comte was followed by Herbert Spencer (Eng. Philosopher) writer of book ‘Principles of Sociology’ & who believed individual like a ‘cell’ and society like an ‘organism’

Definition:“Sociology is the study of relationship between man and his human environment.”

-H P Fairchild

OR ;

Sociology is the study of social relationships.

Thus Sociology is :

the science of society.

the science of social relationships.

the study of social life.

the study of human behavior. the study of social action.

the study of social groups and social systems.

DEFINITIONS

Ginsberg--“Sociology is the study of the humaninteraction and interrelation their condition andconsequences”.

Max Weber-- “Sociology is the science whichattempts the interpretative understanding ofsocial action.”

EDUCATIONALSOCIOLOGY

Branch of sociology.

Studies relationship between education and sociology and deals with its problems.

It is primarily concerned with social factors in education.

Educational sociology is the application of scientific spirit, methods and principles of sociology to the study of education”.– M S Gore

Educational Sociology is sociology applied to the solution of fundamental educational problems-Roucek

George Payne(USA);Father of educational sociology:

Educational Sociology is the science which describes and explains institutions, groups and social processes in relation to the educational system in its evolution and changing function”

-Ottaway “Educational sociology starts with the assumption that education is an activity which goes on in a society, and its aims and methods depends on the nature of the society, in which it takes place

-Brown “Educational sociology is the study ofinteraction of the individual and his culturalenvironment including other individuals, socialgroups and patterns of behaviours.

MEANINGAccording to George payne the father of educational

educational sociology is an applied science in the field of sociology.

It studies-----

Effect of learning on group life.

Effect of smaller group life upon the larger group.

It explains institutions, social norms, social groups,and social processes i.e. social relationships.

According to George Payne, “

Educational sociology is the science

which describes and explains the institution i.e. the social relationship in

which the individual gains and organizes

his experiences.”

Scope of sociology of education

It is concerned with such general concepts such as society itself, culture,

community, class, environment, socialization, internalization,

accommodation, assimilation, cultural lag, sub-culture, status, role and so

forth.

It is further involved in cases of education and social class, state, social

force, cultural change, various problems of role structure, role analysis in

relation to the total social system and the micro society of the school

such as authority, selection, and the organization of learning, streaming,

curriculum and so forth.

It deals with analysis of educational situations in various geographical

contexts. Eg. Educational situations in rural, urban and tribal areas, in

different parts of the country/world, with the background of different

races, cultures etc.

Scope

It helps us to understand the effectiveness of different

educational methods in teaching students with different

kinds of intelligences.

It studies the effect of economy upon the type of

education provided to the students. Eg. education

provided in schools

Scope

It helps us to understand the effect of various social agencies like family, school on the students.

It studies the relationship between social class, culture, language, parental education, occupation and the achievement of the students

It studies the role and structure of school, peer group on the personality of the students

It provides an understanding of the problems such as, communalism, gender discrimination etc.

It studies the role of schools in socialization of the students.

It suggests ways to develop national integration, international understanding, the spirit of scientific temper , globalization among the students

It promotes research studies related to planning, organization and application of various theories in education.

Theories /approaches of Sociology of Education

In an effort to understand how society works, differentsociologists start with different assumptions about the basiccharacter of human social life.

There are some who see order and stability as more importantthan conflict and change; while others take the opposite view.

Some view the larger institutional structures of society whileothers focus on human interaction in small groups. Thus,sociologists have theoretical perspectives which will help themselect the questions that they will ask about social life and themethods they use to seek answers to these questions.

Ponder over these few questions:

Why do things happen the way they are in society?What determines the way we perceive an individual or groups?What leads to conflict and competition among students?What leads individuals to be attracted to others?

Do you know that there are three types of theoretical approaches , namely

1. Functionalist Theory

2. Conflict Theory

3. Interactionist Theory

1. Functionalist Theory ( Emile Durkheim )

This theory is based on the assumption that a society

is a complex system which works together to

promote stability.

It emphasizes the way in which each part of a society

contributes to the whole so as to maintain stability.

According to this approach:

Society and institutions in

society (such as education)

are interdependent.

Society is much like the

human body. Like parts of

body, the parts of society

work together in a

systematic way that is

usually good for the whole.

Each part helps to maintain

the state of balance that is

needed for the system to

operate smoothly.

Society is represented by

major units/institutions

namely, family, religion,

education, politics,

economics and health.

Every unit must work and contribute to the functioning of the whole society. Every unit plays a

role in the total system and are dependent on each other for survival.

Analogy :

Heart and brain are essential for human being to live. An education system is necessary for the

survival of a society.

The important aspects of this theory are:

It consists of functions and structures – which contribute to the stability of society.

Integration – between all units and institutions in the society.

Maintain the stability in society.

Encourages changes to promote progress in society.

Importance of formal and non formal education in the socialization process of educating children; to uphold values and norms of the society (education as means of socialization ).

As for the functionalist perspective, the school serves very similar

functions and the five main social functions of education have been

identified as (a) socialization, (b) social control, (c) selection and allocation,

(d) assimilation of newcomers and (e) social innovation and change.

.

Social control is where school expected to persuade their students that it is necessary to behave according to these principles.

Students are graded not only on how well they learn but also on how well they cooperate, how orderly they are and also even on personal grooming. Social control functions of education extends well beyond socialization. School serves as custodial institutions

for the nation’s young, keeping children off the streets.

Selection and allocation of

people to enter particular

occupational positions rests with

the schools.

Assimilation is the absorption of

newcomers into the dominant

society. Assimilation functions in

schools is geared towards

including the poor and

disadvantaged in the main

stream of society, whether or

not they are recent immigrants.

Education contributes to change by

spreading and producing new knowledge,

values and beliefs.

Besides new knowledge, education

organization also produce and

disseminated new values and beliefs that

can be potent generators of social change

1.1.2 Conflict Theory (Max, Weber )

This theory is based on the assumption that society is a complex system characterized by inequality and

conflicts that generate social change.

According to this theory, there are 3 important elements:

- conflict

- change

- force

The conflict theory emphasizes on the

struggle over limited resources, power

and prestige as a permanent aspect of

societies and a major source of social

change.

Based on the assumption that the parts

of sociology, far from being smoothly

functioning units of a whole, actually are

in conflict with one another.

According to this theory, the functions of education are :

§ Stratification tool for the capitalist society.

§ Social control

School is a training ground for workers

in terms of attitude, technical skills,

intellectual abilities etc.

So who do you think students are

trained for the lower hierarchy job in

the industrial sector?

According to this theory, students with low academic achievement are chosen for lower hierarchy

jobs. These students normally are from the low income group .

Children from rich families have access to many privileges (example: access to the best

education) normally score high academic grades. They are the ones who secure the better jobs.

Conflict theorists see education principally as a

tool by the ruling classes to perpetuate social

inequality, both by controlling access to

schooling and by training docile, disciplined

workers.

Can you relate the idea of this theory in our present education system? Does our present education system serves as a means of stratification tool and social control?

1.1.3 Interactionist Theory

This theory is based on the assumption that society is involved in interaction by which individuals

actively construct reality in everyday life. The major characteristics of the theory are-

Focuses on how people interact in their everyday lives and how they make sense of this interaction.

Focuses on individuals’ interaction with one another.

Interactionist is concerned with the nature of daily interaction on the society and how this interaction

is perceived by people

They study individuals and small groups rather than large scale social structures. They observe human behaviour at such close range, interactionists

tend to see people as having more freedom of actions –more freedom from the constraints of society.

The important principles of this theory are:

- individual’s interaction ( through shared symbols & meanings ) enable him to think.

- individual’s action and interaction develop into groups and societies.

- every individual will influence the other.

Individuals with similar culture and background

will define and interpret social situations in

similar ways because of their similar socialization,

experiences and expectations. Their behaviour is

guided by common norms.

However, differences do exists due to individual

experiences, social class and economic status

Consider this situation:

A teacher walking past a classroom may generate a positive feeling to some

students and nervousness and anxiety in others. These reactions happen because

we tend to respond to others according to the different labels we attach.

Now, let’s ponder for a while. How do Educational Sociologist explain the

achievement using this theory?

In education, this theory focuses on the common, ordinary interactions between

members in a school such as among peer groups, teachers and students, teachers and

principals to explain the following aspects, namely:

§ students’ achievement

§ students’ attitudes

§ students’ values

§ students’ self concept and aspirations

§ socio-economic status

§ grouping of students

Now reflect your past experiences. Can you recall of any interaction with any of the school members (peers, teachers, principals) in relation to your values, attitudes, achievement, etc.