Social Science Theories and Their Implications to Education
1. Structural-functional theory divided into two opposing sides: one that
● Herbert Spencer, the proponent of wants to keep things the same (the status
structural-functional views society as “a quo), and one that wants change. Through
system of interconnected parts each disagreement and struggle, new systems or
with a unique function. agreements are formed. Conflict, in this
● Society is compared to the human body sense, is not necessarily bad. It is seen as a
with different but interrelated force for positive change.
components such as the family, the
state, the school, the church, mass Example:
media, and economics. In the workplace, factory workers might
● If one part of the human body does not demand higher pay and better conditions,
function well, the whole body is while the factory owners resist due to cost.
affected. In the same way, when one Eventually, through conflict, a compromise is
component of society does not do this reached that improves the workplace for
part, society will not function well. both sides.
● The functionalist theory of education
focuses on how education serves the Conflict theorists believe that education is
need of society through the not an equal opportunity for everyone.
development of skills encouraging Instead, it is a tool used by the powerful to
social cohesion. maintain their control over society. They
● The role of schools is to prepare argue that schools train students, especially
students for participation in the those from lower classes to obey rules,
institutions of society. Education is respect authority, and accept their lower
concerned with transmission of core position in society. This is known as the
values for social control "hidden curriculum."
● Education is concerned with socializing
people by bringing together people In contrast, functionalists argue that schools
from different backgrounds. The teach important values like honesty,
functionalist theory is focused on social punctuality, and respect not to create
stability and solidarity. Functionalists obedient workers, but to support democratic
see education as a beneficial and moral living. This shows how different
contribution to an ordered society. sociological theories view the same system
in different ways.
Purpose of Schooling according to
Functionalists 3. Symbolic Interactionism Theory
● Intellectual purposes – acquisition of Symbolic Interactionism is another
cognitive skills, inquiry skills major sociological theory. Unlike Conflict
Theory, which focuses on large social
● Political purposes – educate future structures and inequalities, symbolic
citizens; promote patriotism; promote interactionism focuses on small, everyday
assimilation of immigrants; ensure interactions and the meanings people attach
order, public civility and conformity to to words, actions, and objects.
laws
3 Ideas of Symbolic Interactionism
● Economic purposes – prepare 1. People act based on the meanings
students for later work roles; select and they assign to things.
train the labor force needed by society Example: If a student believes their teacher
has confidence in them, they will try harder
● Social purposes – promote a sense of to succeed.
social and moral responsibility,; serve
as a site for the solution or resolution of 2. Different people can assign different
social problems; supplement the efforts meanings to the same thing.
of other institutions of socialization such Example: One student may see a strict
as the family and the church. teacher as caring, while another may see
them as unfair or mean.
2. Conflict Theory
Conflict Theory is a sociological 3. Meanings can change through
perspective that views society as being in a interaction.
constant state of conflict due to inequality.
According to this theory, people are always
Social Science Theories and Their Implications to Education
Example: Someone might see hospitals as
scary, but after visiting a clean and peaceful
hospital, their view changes.
Symbolic interactionism encourages
teachers to focus on meaningful interaction
in the classroom. Learning happens not only
through lectures, but also through
discussions, reading, listening, and viewing.
Teachers should use positive symbols, kind
words, gestures, smiles to affirm students’
abilities and boost their self-confidence.
When teachers believe in their students,
both the students and teachers benefit.
A common criticism of this theory is
that it focuses too much on individual
interactions and may ignore larger social
issues like poverty, racism, or political
systems. While symbolic interactionism
helps us understand personal and
classroom dynamics, it may not explain
wider social patterns.