Application-Let's Apply

1. The purposes of schooling according to the functionalist theory are:

1) Intellectual purposes-acquisition of cognitive skills, inquiry skill
2) Political purposes-educate future citizens; promote patriotism; promote assimilation of
immigrants; ensure order, public civility and conformity to laws
3) Economic purposes-prepare students for later work roles; select and train the labor
force needed by society
4) Social purposes-promote a sense of social and moral responsibility; serve as a site for
the solution or resolution of social problems; supplement the efforts of other
institutions of socialization such as the family and the church

Cite how schools at present are working on the realization of these 4 purposes as cited by the
functionalists.

 Individual Possibility- classic “education” shaping the learning and development of

individual students. (How do children develop deep content knowledge and the ability
to apply it? How do I sure my child develops a sense of empathy or wonder?)

 Social Possibility- socialization processes shaping collective culture and social norms at
the micro and macro. i.e. the community, national, and global levels. (How do we
create a local community or national sense of identity? Or, How can we develop a
democratic values?)

 Social Efficiency- classic human capital perspective: sustain current social, economic,
and political institutions. (How do we ensure there are enough STEM workers in our
economy? How do we make sure our national economic growth can compete with
China’s?)

 Individual Efficiency- to serve an individual’s own ability to navigate the education or

socio-economic systems (this is often “social mobility” in a capitalist system).

2. Adherents to the conflict theory claim that schools teach loyalty so that those in power
remain in power and those below will forever be at the bottom. Do you agree? Why or why
not?
I disagree, some attest that school instruct adherence to policies, obedience to rules,
and respect for persons including authorities, punctuality and honesty, civil rights it is on
the grounds that they are the very standards to a majority rule of lifestyle. It isn't on the
grounds that they need to cause the specialists to stay meek, unquestioning and docile
perpetually while people with significant influence stay in power.

3. Individuals act based on meaning. This meaning is based individuals’ experiences. Meanings
change. Give two on implications of these symbolic interactionist thoughts to education.
a) An individual's action depends on meaning. Are action depends on the images or
symbols that we provide. Images can be activities, articles or words. On the off
chance that an understudy comprehends then the educator will trusts in his/her
capacity if he/she attempts his/her best to demonstrate then without a doubt
he/she is capable. On the off chance that an educator does in any case, an
understudy will in general act as per instructor's helpless discernment.
b) Various individuals give various implications to exactly the same thing. At the
point when instructors are strict, some students consider it as outflow of care but
some will also see it as a restriction for their moves and wants.
Let's Check for Understanding
Which social science theory is referred to?
1. The overall health of society depends upon the healthy functioning of its institutions.
- Structural-Functional Theory
2. Meanings that individuals give to symbols change over time.
- Symbolic Interactionist Theory
3. Faulty communication can result from differences in the perception of the same events and
symbols.
- Symbolic Interactionist Theory
4. Schools teach humanitarian attitude, altruism, democracy, civil rights, and other positive
aspects of society to preserve society and social order.
- Structural-Functional Theory
5. When one institution fails to function, another institution ought to come in to perform the
function for the stability of society.
- Structural-Functional Theory
6. A new society comes as a result of the resolution of clash between the powers that be and
the workers.
- Conflict Theory
7. Two opposing sides are welcomed. This paves the way to change.
- Conflict Theory
8. When one institution fails to perform its function, the other institutions showed come in for
the preservation of society.
- Structural-Functional Theory
9. One weakness of this theory is this is focused on small interactions.
- Symbolic Interactionist Theory
10. Differences in meaning of symbols for both sender and receiver result to misunderstanding.
- Symbolic Interactionist Theory

Let's Reflect
1. Based on the lesson on symbolic-interactionist theory and the movie, The Little Prince,
what does this quote mean: “Words are a source of misunderstanding.” Any personal
message? Write it down.
Based on the movie of the little Prince, the Words are a source of
misunderstanding implies confusion because this occurs when two or more individuals
are exchanging conversation in a different language. Moreover, when you need to say
something that you believe or think, not in every case you can make it comprehended
in the specific manner you envision. Misconceptions often happen because there's a
major drop off between the sender and the recipient. At the point when you
communicate something specific, it goes through a great deal of cycles and its unique
significance gets lost. Then, at that point, comes the unraveling, when an individual
deciphers what you composed and contorts the first message further.

Taking it to the Net

Research on more school practices based on the functionalist theory, conflict theory and
symbolic interaction theory. Write them on a whole sheet of paper to be passed in class.

Functionalist theory
* Sorting, or classifying students based on academic merit or potential. The most
capable students are identified early in schools through testing and classroom
achievements.
* Functionalist also contend that schools, particularly in recent years, is taking over
some of the functions that were traditionally undertaken by the family.

Conflict theory
 * Schools train those in the working classes accept their position as a lower-class
member of society.

Symbolic interaction theory

* Limit their analysis of education to what they directly observe happening in
classroom. They focus on how teacher expectations influence student performance,
perceptions, and attitudes.

LET Clinchers
Direction: Choose the letter of the correct answer.
1. Which is an application of the functionalist theory? Answer: A
A. Schools must do their part to socialize children or else children will turn out to be
delinquent citizens.
B. Schools must teach students to accept their status in life for there is nothing that they
can do about it.
C. Schools must make learners understand that in life there will always be the powerful
and the powerless.
D. Schools must teach students to speak in clear symbols.
2. Who is associated with the conflict theory? Answer: C
A. Weber
B. Dewey
C. Marx
D. Durkheim
3. Which theory states that it is okay to have clashes in society? Answer: C
A. Functionalism
B. Symbolic interactionism
C. Conflict theory
D. Social Darwinism
4. According to the functionalist theory, what happens when one institution fails to do its
part? Answer: B
A. Other institutions get paralyzed
B. The non-functioning institution gets eliminated
C. Other institutions take over the function
D. The non-performing institution gets penalized
5. For an ideal interaction in the community what must be observed? Answer: C
A. The symbol must be contemporary.
B. Don't use symbols.
C. Those involved must analyze the meaning of the symbol.
D. The symbol must be clear to both giver and receiver.