Sociology - Education - Quick Guides

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Study GuideSociology–Education1. Theories of EducationEducation in the United States has always served important purposes. In the past, schools weredesigned to meet political and economic needs. Today, sociologists and educators continue to debatewhat educationreallydoes for society.To understand these debates, sociologists usethree major theories of education:•Functionalist theory•Conflict theory•Symbolic interactionist theoryEach theory looks at education from a different point of view and asks different questions about howschools affect students and society.1.1 The Functionalist TheoryThefunctionalist theoryfocuses on how education helps society run smoothly. Functionalistsbelieve that schools exist because they serve important purposes for society as a whole.1.1.1 Teaching Knowledge and Social ValuesOne clear role of education is itsmanifest function—the intended purpose. Schools teach basicskills like reading, writing, math, and science so that knowledge can be passed from one generationto the next.SociologistÉmile Durkheim, the founder of functionalist theory, also identifiedlatent functions, orunintended roles of education. One of the most important issocialization—teaching students how tobehave in society. Durkheim called thismoral education. By learning shared rules, values, andnorms, students from different backgrounds become part of a more unified society. This idea reflectsthe historical goal of “Americanizing” immigrants.

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Study Guide1.1.2Core Values and Social ControlSchools also help transmitcore valuesthat support the political and economic system. Students arerewarded for:•Following schedules•Obeying authority•Meeting deadlines•Following rulesThese behaviors prepare students for future roles in the workplace and society. In this way, educationalso serves as a form ofsocial control.1.1.3Individualism in American SchoolsOne of the strongest values taught in American education isindividualism—the belief inindependence and personal achievement. Students are encouraged to stand out, earn the highestgrades, and be the “best.”Even group activities often highlight individual leaders or top performers. In sports, for example,teams still award “Most Valuable Player.” Schools help students build their identities and self-esteemthrough personal achievement.This focus is very different from cultures such as Japan or China, wherecommunity and groupharmonyare more important. In those cultures, students may feel embarrassed if they are singledout. Success means bringing honor to the group, not just to oneself.1.1.4Competition and PatriotismBecause the United States is acapitalist society, students learn early thatcompetition matters.Classrooms use competitive games, grades, awards, and prizes. Over time, students connect winningwith rewards and success.Schools also strongly promotepatriotism, which helps maintain political stability. Students learn thePledge of Allegiance and hear stories about national heroes. Sometimes these stories become moremyth than fact, such as the tale of George Washington and the cherry tree. Even if the stories are notfully accurate, they are used to teach values like honesty and loyalty.

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Study Guide1.1.5Sorting and Social PlacementFunctionalists believe schools help society bysorting students based on ability. This process ismeant to ensure that the most capable individuals fill the most important jobs.High-achieving students are identified early through grades and standardized tests. They are placedin advanced programs and college-prep tracks. SociologistsTalcott Parsons, Kingsley Davis, andWilbert Moorecalled this processsocial placement. From a functionalist view, this benefits societyby placing people where they are most needed.1.1.6Networking and MatchmakingAfter sorting takes place,networkingnaturally follows. Students tend to form friendships andprofessional connections with others who have similar interests, majors, and backgrounds.One especially important result of networking ismatchmaking. Sociologists study how educationbrings together people who are alike in education, income potential, and social background. Someparents even choose colleges for their children based on the likelihood of meeting the “right” personto marry.1.1.7Preserving and Changing CultureEducation plays adual role: it both preserves culture and helps change it.On one hand, schools pass on existing knowledge and values. On the other hand, research showsthat as people gain more education, they often become moreliberalin their views. Less educatedindividuals tend to be moreconservative.Colleges and universities, especially research institutions, are often at the forefront of new ideas andchanging values. As a result, education not only preserves knowledge but also helps transform it.1.1.8Replacing Some Family RolesIn the second half of the twentieth century, schools began taking on roles once handled mainly byfamilies. Topics like:•Career planning•Discipline

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Study Guide•Human sexualityare now common parts of school curricula. Some parents disagree with this expanded role ofeducation and choosehomeschoolingorprivate schoolsthat reflect their personal values.1.2The Conflict TheoryTheconflict theoryoffers a very different view of education. Instead of seeing schools as helpful andfair, conflict theorists argue that education helpsmaintain social inequalityand protects the powerof the dominant groups in society.1.2.1Education and InequalityConflict theorists agree that schools sort students—but they strongly disagree abouthowthis sortinghappens. While functionalists say sorting is based on merit, conflict theorists argue that it is based onsocial class and race.They believe schools train working-class students to accept lower-status jobs and become obedientworkers. This process is known as thehidden curriculum—the unspoken lessons about obedience,authority, and one’s place in society.1.2.2Funding and Unequal ResourcesOne major concern is how schools are funded. Most public schools rely onproperty taxes, whichmeans wealthier neighborhoods have better-funded schools. These areas are usually whiter andmore affluent.As a result, these schools can:•Pay higher teacher salaries•Attract more experienced teachers•Buy newer textbooks and technologyStudents in these schools have a better chance of attending top colleges and entering high-payingcareers. In contrast, students in poorer neighborhoods—often with higher numbers of minoritystudents—are more likely to be placed in vocational or technicaltracks and less likely to attendcollege.

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Study Guide1.2.3Testing and Cultural BiasConflict theorists also criticizeschool testing, especially IQ tests. They argue that these tests do nottruly measure intelligence. Instead, they measurecultural knowledge, which favors middle-andupper-class white students.For example, a test question asking which instrument belongs in an orchestra assumes knowledge ofclassical music. Students who were never exposed to that type of music are at a disadvantage.Although testing experts claim modern tests are fairer, conflict theorists argue thattrue culturalneutrality is impossible. Every test is based on knowledge shaped by culture.1.2.4Education as a Tool of PowerFrom the conflict perspective, education is not a system of equal opportunity. Instead, it is a powerfulinstitution that helps maintain existing power structures and produces a workforce that supportscapitalism.1.3The Symbolic Interactionist TheoryThesymbolic interactionist theorylooks at education on a much smaller scale. Instead of focusingon the entire system, it examines what happensinside the classroom, especially daily interactionsbetween teachers and students.1.3.1Teacher Expectations and Student PerformanceSymbolic interactionists are especially interested in howteacher expectationsaffect students.In 1968,Robert Rosenthal and Lenore Jacobsonconducted a famous study. They gave studentsIQ tests and then randomly selected some average students, telling teachers that these studentswere likely to show major improvement.By the end of the year, those students did show higher IQ scores. The key point is that theimprovement happened becauseteachers believed it would happen.This is called aself-fulfilling prophecy—when abelief or expectation causes itself to come true. Asimilar example is a stock market crash caused simply by fear that one will occur.

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