SociologyOf Education

NATURE,SCOPE AND APPROACHES

PREPARED BY DR. GOGGI GUPTA

SIER ,PHASE -6 MOHALI
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
human interaction and interrelation their
condition and consequences.
Max Weber-- Sociology is the science
which attempts the interpretative
understanding of social action.
 EDUCATIONAL
SOCIOLOGY

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 of
interaction of the individual and his cultural
environment including other individuals,
social groups and patterns of behaviours.
 MEANING
According to George payne the father of educational
sociology 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.
Itexplains 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.
Itsuggests ways to develop national integration,
international understanding, the spirit of scientific temper ,
globalization among the students
Itpromotes 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, different

sociologists start with different assumptions about the basic
character of human social life.
There are some who see order and stability as more important
than conflict and change; while others take the opposite view.
Some view the larger institutional structures of society while
others focus on human interaction in small groups. Thus,
sociologists have theoretical perspectives which will help them
select the questions that they will ask about social life and the
methods 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 It emphasizes the way in which each

assumption that a society is a part of a society contributes to the
complex system which works whole so as to maintain stability.
together to promote stability.
According to this approach:

Society is much like the

human body. Like parts
of body, the parts of
Society is represented
society work together in
Society and institutions by six major
a systematic way that is
in society (such as units/institutions namely,
usually good for the
education) are family, religion,
whole. Each part helps
interdependent. education, politics,
to maintain the state of
economics and health.
balance that is needed
for the system to
operate smoothly.
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
nations young, keeping children off the streets.
 Assimilation is the
absorption of
newcomers into the
dominant society.
Assimilation functions in
Selection and allocation
schools is geared
of people to enter
towards including the
particular occupational
poor and
positions rests with the
disadvantaged in the
schools.
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:

- individuals interaction ( through shared symbols & meanings ) enable him to think.
- individuals action and interaction develop into groups and societies.
- every individual will influence the other.
 Individuals with similar culture and
background will define and interpret However, differences do exists due to
social situations in similar ways because individual experiences, social class and
of their similar socialization, experiences economic status
and expectations. Their behaviour is
guided by common norms.
 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, lets ponder for a while. How do Educational Sociologist

explain the students 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.