Unit OneUnit OneSociologicalSociological

Theory in the ClassroomTheory in the Classroom

HSP3M HSP3M

Ms. Dana Dray Ms. Dana Dray

Theoretical AssumptionsTheoretical Assumptions

The basic theoretical assumptions The basic theoretical assumptions of the following theories would of the following theories would explain what happens in a explain what happens in a classroom. classroom.

FunctionalismFunctionalism

AssumptionsAssumptions Explains how society is to perform Explains how society is to perform

its required functions effectively its required functions effectively The family is an The family is an institution institution within within

society society Individuals within society have Individuals within society have

rolesroles to play, each role has to play to play, each role has to play The most prevalent behaviours are The most prevalent behaviours are

called called “norms”“norms” Change can occur if the structures Change can occur if the structures

within society can adjust to within society can adjust to maintain an maintain an equilibriumequilibrium, but this , but this usually happens slowlyusually happens slowly

EducationEducation The rules within the classroom The rules within the classroom

give it give it structurestructure Teachers have a higher Teachers have a higher status status than than

students students Teachers and students each have Teachers and students each have

their own their own rolesroles to perform to perform There are There are normsnorms or expected or expected

behaviours within the classroom behaviours within the classroom for teachers and studentsfor teachers and students

Symbolic Symbolic InteractionismInteractionism

Assumptions Assumptions Explains how individuals Explains how individuals

choose how they will act choose how they will act based on their based on their perceptionsperceptions of of themselves and of others themselves and of others

People need to give People need to give meaning meaning to their experiencesto their experiences before before they act on them they act on them

Individuals communicating Individuals communicating with one another, but they with one another, but they may give different meanings may give different meanings to actions and wordsto actions and words

Education Education Teachers & students each Teachers & students each

have their own have their own perceptions perceptions of what it means to be a of what it means to be a teacher and a student teacher and a student

How a teacher or student How a teacher or student responds to a specific responds to a specific situation will depend on how situation will depend on how each interprets the situation each interprets the situation

Teachers & students may Teachers & students may give different meanings to give different meanings to actions & words & this may actions & words & this may cause problemscause problems

Conflict TheoriesConflict Theories

Assumptions Assumptions Explains how power holds a Explains how power holds a

society together society together States that conflict exists States that conflict exists

between groups because of between groups because of inequalities in power inequalities in power

Assumes groups compete Assumes groups compete with one another to meet with one another to meet their needs, but the needs of their needs, but the needs of all groups cannot be metall groups cannot be met

Education Education Can result in the exploitation Can result in the exploitation

of those with less power by of those with less power by those with greater power those with greater power

Within a school or Within a school or classroom, there is a power classroom, there is a power imbalance imbalance

In a classroom where In a classroom where students have more power or students have more power or control than the teacher, the control than the teacher, the class will not function class will not function effectivelyeffectively

Feminist TheoriesFeminist Theories

AssumptionsAssumptions Explain the impact of sex Explain the impact of sex

and gender on behaviour and gender on behaviour Consider issues from the Consider issues from the

viewpoint of women viewpoint of women Examine gender bias Examine gender bias Believe change is Believe change is

required to meet the required to meet the needs of all peopleneeds of all people

EducationEducation Within schools, teachers Within schools, teachers

can apply knowledge of can apply knowledge of recent on how males and recent on how males and females learn differentlyfemales learn differently