Question

The sociological perspective is a perspective on human behavior and its connection to society as a whole. It invites us to look for the connections between the behavior of individuals and the structures of the society in which they live. Select one of the institutions of society and discuss it as viewed by each of the three main perspectives.

Answer 1

The major sociological perspectives on education can be categorized into the functional, conflict, and symbolic interactionist approaches. According to the functionalist perspective serves several functions for society that include socialization, social integration and placement, and innovation. Educational institutions also serve other functions such as child care, the establishment of peer relationships, and lowering unemployment by keeping high school students out of the full-time labor force. Whereas, the conflict perspective holds that education promotes and perpetuates social inequality through the use of tracking and standardized testing. Because institutions differ widely in their funding and learning conditions, it leads to learning disparities that maintain the status quo of social inequality. Finally, the symbolic interactionist perspective focuses on social interaction in the classroom, on the playground, and in other school venues. Certain educational problems have their basis in social interaction and expectations.