Sociology of

Education
Session 2
 Characteristics of
Sociology of Education
1. Sociology of education uses the social science
research method.
2. 2. It is devoted only to examining and
explaining on the social side of
education/schooling.
3. 3. It is a major branch of sociology but not a
branch in education.
4. 4. Sociology of Education is an infant compared to
sociology. It came around 19th – 20Century.
Relationship between Education and Sociology
• Emile Durkheim was the first person who indicated the
need for a sociological approach to education. He
considered education ―to be essentially social in
character and in its functions and that as a result the
theory of education relates more clearly to sociology than
any other science. He emphasized that education is not a
static phenomenon but a dynamic and ever-changing
process. Educational sociology is by definition a discipline
which studies education sociologically, with the premise
that it recognizes education as a social fact, a process
and an institution, having a social function and being
determined socially. Educational sociology could appear
only when it accepted the social nature of education.
Meaning and Scope of Educational Sociology:
Development of Educational Sociology:
Sociology is in itself a new subject but the development of Educational Sociology
as a branch of sociology has started only a few years back. George Payne, who is
credited with giving birth to the subject, is called the Father of Educational
Sociology.

Meaning of Educational Sociology:

In every society, whether its form is old or new, there are different types of public
institutions, committees etc., which fulfil the different needs of the individual as
well as the society. Requirements connected with livelihood, entertainment,
administrative, educational etc., are fulfilled by these institutions.
Educational Sociology

Educational sociology is the study of the social factors that influence

and are influenced by all educational structures and processes, both
within and between societies. Educational sociology focuses attention
on the social factors that both cause and are caused by education. It
includes the study of factors relating to education, such as gender,
social class, race and ethnicity, and rural–urban residence.
Educational sociology has developed a range of sociological
theories to explain and guide research into the various levels and
types of education, and it has also contributed to the development of
methodological and statistical techniques.
Main Difference – Educational Sociology vs Sociology of Education

Sociology is the scientific study of human society. There are so many subfields in Sociology.
Sociology of Education is one such sub-field of Sociology. In sociology of education, one learns
about the effects of government and individual behaviors on the field of education.

Educational Sociology, on the other hand, can be described as the application of sociological
findings in order to solve the problems in the field of education. This is the main difference between
Educational Sociology and Sociology of Education.
• Importance of Sociology of Education

• Every society has its own changing socio – cultural

needs and requires an education to meet these
needs. Today‘s needs are conservation of
resources, environmental protection, global
citizenship etc. Therefore education caters towards
meeting of these different needs. Since the needs
of the society change education also changes.
• Hence there is need for studying sociology of education. It helps in understanding:

• 1. Work of School and Teachers and its relation to society, social progress and
development

• 2. Effect of Social Elements on the working of school and society

• 3. Effect of Social Elements on the life of individuals

• 4. Construction of Curriculum in relation to the cultural and economic needs of the

society

• 5. Democratic ideologies present in different countries

• 6. Need for understanding and promoting international culture

• 7. Development of Society through the formulation of various rules and regulations

and understanding of culture and traditions

• 8. Need for Promotion of Social Adjustment

• 9. The effect of social groups, their interrelation and dynamics on individuals.

• Sociology helps in the process of education in several ways.
• One way is that sociology represents education. The study of
how people and societies interact within one another and
themselves is, in part, the essence of education.
• The process of teaching and learning is a social process-
teacher and students, students with one another, both with
people outside of the classroom and bringing those
experiences into the classroom setting- are all examples of
how our social interactions impact our learning.
• Effective teaching and learning is not an isolated process.
Students enter the classroom with their own senses of reality,
experience, and narratives and teachers have to
acknowledge and integrate this into the classroom setting and
the learning process.
• students have greater interactions on a social level
with the proliferation of information technology and
socially interactive networking.
• They bring this cultural capital into the classroom and
teachers have to strive to understand this
sociological element into the process of teaching
and learning.
• Additionally, students' backgrounds demand that
teachers comprehend how different societies
interact within one other in order to maximize
learning.
• All societies have their own ways and means of
meeting this need. Education as a process has come
to stay as an effective means of meeting this need.
• It may help in developing new social patterns in the
areas of health, leisure, vocation and family life.
Reconstruction and adaptation are necessary but of
scientific developments, industrialization and
technological advancements, which are disturbing
the urban as well as rural pattern of living. The
relationship of education and sociology can be
cleared through following points.
• Sociology is the science of society and education in an
implicit aspect of any social system.
• Sociology studies the structure and functions of social
system, while education is one of the important functions of
any social system.
• The prime concern of sociology is socialized individuals.
Education is the means for achieving the goals of sociology.

• In the modern society, sociology generates the data base

which is consumed by educational system to realize the goal
of social life.
• Sociology develops the law and principles which are
adopted by the educational system for its improvement.
• Conflicts in Education and Sociology

• Education achieves its purpose by maintaining the status quo,

where lower-class children become lower class adults, and
middle and upper class children become middle and upper-
class adults.
• It Is argued that teachers treat lower-class kids like less
competent students, placing them in lower tracks because they
have generally had fewer opportunities to develop language,
critical thinking, and social skills prior to entering school than
middle and upper class kids.
• When placed in lower tracks, lower-class kids are trained for
blue-collar jobs by an emphasis on obedience and following
rules rather than autonomy, higher-order thinking, and self-
expression.
• They point out that while private schools are expensive and
generally reserved for the upper classes, public schools- like
Municipal schools, especially those that serve the poor, are
under - funded, understaffed, and growing worse.
• Schools are also powerful agents of socialization that can be used as tools
for one group
• to exert power over others – for example, by demanding that all students
learn English,
• schools are ensuring that English-speakers dominate students from non-
English speaking
• backgrounds
• This cycle occurs because the dominant group has, over time, closely
aligned education
• with middle class values and aims, thus alienating people of other classes.
• Many teachers assume that students will have particular middle class
experiences at
• home, and for some children this assumption isn‘t necessarily true. Some
children are
• expected to help their parents after school and carry considerable
domestic
• responsibilities in their often single-parent home.
• The demands of this domestic labour often make it difficult for them to find
time to do all
• their homework and this affects their academic performance.
• Where teachers have softened the formality of regular
study and integrated student‘s preferred working
methods into the curriculum, they noted that particular
students displayed strengths they had not been aware
of before.
• However few teacher deviate from the traditional
curriculum and the curriculum conveys what constitutes
knowledge as determined by the state - and those in
power. This knowledge isn‘t very meaningful to many of
the students, who see it as pointless.
• Wilson & Wyn state that the students realise there is little
or no direct link between the
• subjects they are doing and their perceived future in the
labour market.
• Anti-school values displayed by these children are often
derived from their consciousness of their real interests.
Socialization
Socialization is a process that introduces people to social norms and
customs. This process helps individuals function well in society, and, in
turn, helps society run smoothly. Family members, teachers, religious
leaders, and peers all play roles in a person's socialization.

This process typically occurs in two stages: Primary socialization takes

place from birth through adolescence, and secondary socialization
continues throughout one's life. Adult socialization may occur whenever
people find themselves in new circumstances, especially those in which
they interact with individuals whose norms or customs differ from theirs.
• Culture -In contemporary times and in sociology it is defined as
the total way of life of a people or human society
• Social phenomena Means a collection of occurrences, events,
objects, happenings, structures all of which are part of what
appears observable in human society e.g. social institutions,
relationships behaviors, activities, cultures, traditions, political and
schooling systems.
• Social institutions This is an organ that has been mandated by
the society to carry out certain functions e.g.education, religion
etc
• Social mobility It is the movement of individuals in society from
one stratum to another.
Social interactions- This is a process of acting and reacting
to each other. We interact in many ways e.g. greetings,
when we interact well, our social life is upgraded. However,
some interactions may have negative vices such
committing a crime e.g. stealing.8.
Social status .Refers to the positive or negative honour,
prestige and power attached to a position or an individual
person within a system of social stratification e.g. status of a
principal not permanently attached to a particular person
because anybody can be promoted to that position
Social role- Means the status or position one is playing in
society. A set of behaviors or expectations somebody fulfills
because of the position one occupies in society e.g. a
principal plays several roles as he interacts with other
people. His behavior while interacting with teachers is
not the same as when interacting with a student or a
parent
Primary socialization occurs from birth through adolescence. Caregivers,
teachers, coaches, religious figures, and peers guide this process.

Secondary socialization occurs throughout our lives as we encounter

groups and situations that were not part of our primary socialization
experience. This might include a college experience, where many people
interact with members of different populations and learn new norms, values,
and behaviors. Secondary socialization also takes place in the workplace or
while traveling somewhere new. As we learn about unfamiliar places and adapt
to them, we experience secondary socialization.
Socialization
Socialization is a process with the help of which a living organism is changed
into a social being. It is a process through which the younger generation learns
the adult role which it has to play subsequently. It is a continuous process in the
life of an individual and it continues from generation to generation.
Characteristics of Socialization
1. It is a life-long process.
2. It helps in inculcation of principles, values and symbols of a social system.
3. Socialization enables the person to enact certain roles.
4. The development of social nature enables the person to participate in social
life.

The Purpose of Socialization

During socialization, a person learns to become a member of a group,
community, or society. This process not only accustoms people to social groups
but also results in such groups sustaining themselves. For example, a new
sorority member gets an insider's look at the customs and traditions of a Greek
organization. As the years pass, the member can apply the information she's
learned about the sorority when newcomers join, allowing the group to carry on
its traditions.
Why we need to study Sociology of Education ?
Every society has its own changing socio – cultural needs and requires an education
to meet these needs. Today‘s needs are conservation of resources, environmental
protection, global citizenship etc. Therefore education caters towards meeting of
these different needs. Since the needs of the society change education also changes.
Hence there is need for studying sociology of education. It helps in understanding:

•Work of School and Teachers and its relation to society, social progress and
development.
•Effect of Social Elements on the working of school and society.
•Effect of Social Elements on the life of individuals.
•Construction of Curriculum in relation to the cultural and economic needs of
the society.
•Democratic ideologies present in different countries.
•Need for understanding and promoting international culture.
•Development of Society through the formulation of various rules and
regulations and understanding of culture and traditions.
•Need for Promotion of Social Adjustment.
•The effect of social groups, their interrelation and dynamics on individuals.
Importance of Educational Sociology in the Teaching Process
The success of a student is hugely dependent on many factors. There are
things he/she must do, like try harder, study every day, maintain regular
learning habits, etc.

“There are numerous studies out there stating that engaging and exercising
with your child from as far as infant age has very positive long-term effects.”
Other things depend on teachers and professors and how they introduce
learning materials. Besides, a lot depends on the way students and educators
interact during and after classes. Thus, educational sociology steps out of the
crowd.

Educational sociology plays an important part in the teaching process. It helps

to build strong relationships between a teacher/professor and the class. If their
relationships are bad, it negatively reflects on the whole process. Students get
forced to solve their academic problems outside the class.
Better Interaction in the Classroom
Educational sociology helps educators to realize the importance of interaction with their
students in different situations. All humans are social creatures, and it’s natural to interact
with other people. The way we understand and treat one another predetermines how
good our relationships will be. If a teacher or professor really talks to the students and
doesn’t simply give dry orders, the atmosphere inside the classroom will be friendly and
will exclude tension.

Mutual Understanding between an Educator and Students

It’s of great importance to understand each other during the learning process. Sociology
studies the way people communicate and reach mutual understanding. It helps educators
to realize the perspectives of education. It’s necessary to identify all the subjects and
objects of education. The main ones are:
•Learners,
•Teachers,
•Educational institution.
Avoidance of Potential Complications
Social knowledge helps educators to deal with a great variety of situations. It also
allows for avoiding a lot of possible issues that appear during the learning process.
Oftentimes, some students openly rebel and confront their educators. They may fully
ignore the rules or play hooky. Some gifted students may be good with studies but
have inappropriate behavior and something of the kind.
Improvement of Relationships
One of the positive outcomes of educational sociology in the process of learning is a
new quality level of relationships. Many teachers set too strict borderlines and
underline the huge difference between a teacher and student. It’s a wrong concept. If
you want to be loved by your students, treat them equally.
Sociology investigates the differences and peculiarities of interaction between:
•The adults and teenagers;
•Teachers and students;
•Leaders and followers;
•Bosses and workers, etc.
All these forms of interaction tell to treat the ones in a lesser authority with full
respect. Thus, you will be respected too. It builds healthy relationships.
Enhancement of Academic Scores

Finally, educational sociology helps students to achieve more and educators to

teach them better. When both sides reach mutual understanding, everything
runs smoothly. Students will be more engaged in learning because they will feel
safe, welcomed, and equal to their educators. This inevitably leads to the
enhancement of academic scores. Students eagerly visit the classes of
teachers/professors who they like.