CHAPTER 3:

Social Science Theories

And Their Implications to
Education
(An Outline)

Mr. Felomino Vicente Fernandez

Professor
Three Social Theories them; if education or schools
effectively transmit knowledge, skills
 Structural-Functional Theory and values; if politics govern citizens
 Conflict Theory well; if economics takes care of food
 Symbolic Interactionist production, distribution of goods and
Theory Perspective services and if religion strengthens the
moral fiber of the members of the
society.

STRUCTURAL-FUNCTIONAL Herbert Spencer, the proponent

THEORY of structural-functional views society
as "a system of interconnected parts of
Discussant: Roi Vincent Habla
each with a unique function. The parts
have to work together for stability and
balance of society."
What is Structural-Functional Theory?
Society is compared to the
Functionalist theory of human body with different but
education focuses on how education interrelated parts performing different
serves the need of society through the functions.
development of skills encouraging
social cohesion. Society has different but
interrelated components such as the
Functionalists see education family, the state, the school, the
as a beneficial contribution to an Church, mass media, economics.
ordered society. These must coordinate and collaborate
for society to function well.
The functionalist theory is
focused on social stability and  Purposes of Schooling
solidarity. according to Functionalists
Functionalism does not 1. Intellectual purposes -
encourage people to take an active acquisition of cognitive skills, inquiry
role in changing their social skills.
environment, even when such change
may benefit them. Instead, 2. Political purposes - educate
functionalism sees active social future citizens; promote patriotism;
change as undesirable because the promote assimilation of immigrants;
various parts of society will ensure order, public civility and
compensate naturally for any problems conformity to laws.
that may arise.
3. Economic purposes - prepare
There is peace, stability, students for later work roles; select
equilibrium and harmony in society if and train the labor force needed by
families do their part in bringing forth society.
children, nurturing and socializing
CONFLICT THEORY
Discussant: Trishia Mae Zabala society. Conflict theories called it
“Hidden Curriculum”.

The “hidden” curriculums

 What is Conflict Theory? socialize young people into obedience
According to this theory, there and conformity for them to be
was always two opposing ideas in a developed as docile workers.
conflict situation. Functionalists strongly disagree.
Conflict theory welcomes They assert that if the schools teach
conflict for that is the way to the adherence to policies, obedience to
establishment of new society. rules, and respect for person including
authorities, punctuality and honesty,
Conflict theorist fined potential civil right it is because they are the
conflict between any groups where very principles dear to a democratic
inequality exists: racial, gender, way of life. It is not because they want
religious, political, economic and so to make the workers remain docile
on. unquestioning and subservient forever
while those in power remain in power.
Conflict theorist note that
unequal groups usually have
conflicting values and agendas
causing them to compete against one SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONIST
another. THEORY PERSPECTIVE

This constant competition Discussant: Khayzel Carido

between groups forms the basis for the  What is Symbolic Interactionist
ever changing nature of society. Theory Perspective?
 How proponents of Conflict It is also known as “Symbolic
Theory Regard Education? Interactionism”.
Education is not truly a social It directs sociologists to
benefit or opportunity as seen by the consider the symbols and details of
functionalist. Rather, education is a everyday life, what these symbols
powerful means of maintaining power mean, and how people interact with
structures and creating a docile work each other.
force of capitalism.
People interact with one
The purpose of education is to another through symbols.
maintain social inequality and to
preserve the power of those who People attach meanings to
dominate society and teach those in symbols, and then act according to
the working class to accept their their subjective interpretation of these
position as a lower class worker symbols.
 Language is a predominant  What are the Three (3) Tenets
symbol among people. of Symbolic Interactionist Theory
Perspective?
Verbal communication, in which
spoken words were serve as the An individual’s action depends
predominant symbols, make this on meaning.
subjective interpretation of these
symbols. - We act based on the meaning
we give to symbols.
Words are not static things; they
require intention and interpretation. - Symbols can be: actions,
words, or objects.
George H. Mead introduced the
Symbolic Interactionist Perspective Different people may give
Theory I 1920’s. different meanings to the same thing.

- Every person has their own

ideas, feelings, and thoughts on
Herbert Blumer coined the term symbols in society.
“Symbolic Interactionism”
Meanings change as individuals
Effective Communication Ineffective interact with one another.
Communication
- The meaning of our symbols
 They have the same meaning and reality is subject to change.
attached to the same thing. 
They have different meaning  Implications of Symbolic
attached to the same thing. Interactionism to Teaching

Conversation is an interaction of Let us continue to teach for

symbols between individuals who meaning. Let us promote and create
constantly interpret the world around opportunities for genuine interaction
them. among our students, teachers,
between students and teachers.
Faulty communication can
result from differences in the Interaction includes reading,
perception of the same events and listening and viewing. Other people’s
symbols. views and meanings are conveyed in
what they have written, in speeches
To ensure mutual and lectures they have delivered.
understanding, the sender of the
symbol and the receiver of the symbol Let us use positive symbols – in
must give the same meaning to the the form of gestures, words, actions
symbol or run the risk of and appearances – to express our
misunderstanding. trust, belief in our students’ abilities, an
affirmation of their being.
 In fact, our beliefs in our
students also have positive effect in
us. We find ourselves more prepared
in class, more caring, truly
professional.

 Weaknesses of Symbolic
Interactionist Theory Perspective

It neglects the macro level of

social interpretation – the big picture.

Symbolic interactionists may

miss the larger issues of society by
restricting themselves to small or
individual interactions.

TRIVIA!

Symbolic Interactionism
traces its origins to Max Weber’s
assertion that “individuals act
according to their interpretation of the
meaning of their world”.

 Takeaways!

Symbolic Interactionism
focused on individuals who act based
on the individual’s experience. These
meanings are not permanent. They
change over time as the individual
continues to interact with others and
with symbols.
 LET Clinchers! 4. Among the choices, the
Tenets of Symbolic
1. According to functionalists, Interactionism are the
there are purposes of following:
schooling except one.
I. An individual’s
a. Intellectual Purposes action depends
on meaning.
b. Education Purposes II. Different
people may
c. Social Purposes
give different
d. Political Purposes meanings to
the same
2. Conflict theory welcomes thing.
conflict for that is the way to III. Meanings
change as
the establishment of a
individuals
________. interact with
one another.
a. New Community
IV. Structural-
b. New Form of Education Functionalism
Theory
c. New Society
a. I and II only
d. New Authority
b. I, II, and III
3. As stated in Conflict Theory,
education is ________. c. IV, II, and I

a. Education teach d. III, IV, and

adherence to policies II
obedience to rules,
5. Symbolic Interactionist
respect for persons.
Theory Perspective is also
b. Education is for stability known as __________.
and a state of equilibrium
a. Conflict Theory
in society.
b. Functionalism
c. Education is not truly a
social benefit or c. Symbolic Interactionism
opportunity.
d. Conflict Theory
d. Education focused on
individuals who act
based on meaning which
is based on the individual
experiences.
6. In this theory, change is 10. In the purposes of schooling
necessary only when things according to functionalists, it
get unstable. is the acquisition of cognitive
skills, inquiry skills.
a. Conflict Theory
a. Education Purposes
b. Symbolic Interactionism
b. Political Purposes
c. Structural-Functionalism
Theory c. Intellectual Purposes

d. None of the above. d. Social Purposes

7. In this theory, faulty

communication can result
from differences in the Answer key:
perception of the same 1) B.
events and symbols.
2) C.
a. Symbolic Interactionism
3) C.
b. Conflict Theory
4) B.
c. Structural-Functionalism
Theory 5) C.

d. Symbols 6) C.

8. Symbolic Interactionism was 7) A.

coined by ________.
8) C.
a. George Mead
9) D.
b. Herbert Bumer
10) C.
c. Herbert Blumer

d. Max Weber

9. The overall health of society

depends upon the healthy
functioning of its institutions.

a. Functions

b. Symbolic Interactionism

c. Conflict

d. Structural-Functionalism