G1 Presentation

SOCIAL SCIENCE THEORIES
and Their IMPLICATIONS to

EDUCATION
Presented by GROUP 1
Introduction
Sociologists today employ three primary theoretical
perspectives: the functionalist perspective, the conflict
perspective and the symbolic interactionist perspective.
These perspectives offer sociologists theoretical paradigms
for explaining how society influences people, and how
people influences society. Each perspective uniquely
conceptualizes society, social forces, and human behaviour.
Lets sing
this song!
DEM BONES
Let’s Analyze the song
According to the song what are
1. connected?
What do you expect if these bones are

2. connected? Does malfunctioning of one
bone affect the other bone?
In Act. # 2 was the meaning that you gave to your
3. symbol the same with the meaning that the receiver

gave? If not, how did this affect you? Do you feel
you were misundeerstood?
THREE SOCIAL
THEORIES
1. Structural-
functional theory
Herbert Spencer the proponent of structural
functional view society as "a system of
interconnected parts each with a unique foundation.
The parts have to work together for stability and
balance of society." Society is compared to the
human body with different but interrelated parts
performing different functions.
This exactly the message of the song, Dem Bone. The
bones are interconnected. Each has unique function.
For instance there is peace, stability, equilibrium and
harmony in society if families do their part in
bringing forth children nurturing and socializing
them.
In a high tech world, educational
institution must teach adults the new
skills to relate to the tech savvy
young and the world and to be more
effective in the work place
Functionalism does not encourage people to

take an active role in changing their social
environment, even when such change may
benefit them instead, functionalism sees active
social change as undersirable because the
various parts of society will compensate
naturally for any problems that may arise.
The purpose of schooling
according to the functionalist
theory are: 3. Economic purposes
- prepare students
2. Political purposes - educate for later work roles;
future citizens; promote select and train the
patriotism; promote assimilation labor force needed
1. Intellectual of immigrants; ensure order, public by society
purposes - civility and conformity to laws
acquisition of
cognitive skills,
inquiry skill. 4. Social purposes - promote a sense of
social and moral responsibility; serve as
a sight for the solution or resolution
social problems; supplement the efforts
of other institutions of socialization such
as the family and the church
2. Conflict Theory
Conflict theory suggests that conflicts occur when
opposing sides maintain the status quo and
introduce change, leading to the establishment of
a new society. It acknowledges potential conflicts
between groups with inequalities, highlighting the
constant competition that forms society's ever-
changing nature.
How proponents of Conflict
Theory Regard Education.
According to conflict theorists, education is seen

as a means to maintain power structures and
create a docile workforce. However,
functionalists believe that schools teach
principles important for a democratic way of
life. They don't aim to make workers
subservient forever.
3. The Symbolic Interactionist
Theory Perspective
Three tenets of symbolic interactionist theory are:
1. An individual’s action depends on meaning. We act

based on the meaning we give to symbols. Symbols can be
actions, objects or word. If a student understands that
teacher believes in his/her ability he/she tries his/her best
prove that indeed he/she is able. If a teacher does
otherwise, a student tends to behave in accordance with
teacher’s poor perception.
2. Different people may give different meanings to the
same thing. When teachers are strict, some students see it
as an expression of care. Others may rebel because they
perceive teacher’s behavior as limiting their moves and
desires. A businesswoman may look at a tree and starts
estimating how much money he can get if he has the tree
cut down for lumber. A philosopher or a poet may look at it
with the thought, “they also serve who only stand and wait”
like John Milton’s from his poem “On his Blindness”.
3. Meanings change as individuals interact with one
another. A negative meaning that you used to associate
with hospital when you went to a hospital which looked
more as a hotel than the usual hospital you know is
changed. After you have taught well, your first impression
of teaching as boring is changed to teaching is exciting.
Implication to Teaching
Symbolic interactionism is a social theoretical framework

associated with George Herbert Mead (1863–1931) and Max
Weber (1864-1920).
It is a perspective that sees society as the product of

shared symbols, such as language. The social world is
therefore constructed by the meanings that individuals
attach to events and social interactions, and these symbols
are transmitted across the generations through language.
A central concept of symbolic interactionists is the
Self, which allows us to calculate the effects of our
actions.
Symbolic interactionism theory has been criticized

because it ignores the emotional side of the Self as a
basis for social interaction.
Symbolic Interactionism is a
theoretical framework in sociology
that describes how societies are
created and maintained through the
repeated actions of individuals
In simple terms, people in society

understand their social worlds
through communication — the
exchange of meaning through
language and symbols.
Weakness of Symbolic
Interaction Theory
Critics claim that symbolic interactionism neglects the

macro level of social interpretation-the “big picture”.in
other words, symbolic interactionists may miss the larger
issues of society by focusing too closely on the “trees” or by
restricting themselves to small or individual interactions

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SOCIAL SCIENCE THEORIES

and Their IMPLICATIONS to

What do you expect if these bones are

In Act. # 2 was the meaning that you gave to your

3. symbol the same with the meaning that the receiver

Functionalism does not encourage people to

According to conflict theorists, education is seen

1. An individual’s action depends on meaning. We act

Symbolic interactionism is a social theoretical framework

It is a perspective that sees society as the product of

Symbolic interactionism theory has been criticized

In simple terms, people in society

Critics claim that symbolic interactionism neglects the

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