SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY

AND
FUNCTIONAL THEORY

YU, NERICCA JANE C.

Sociological Paradigms
- are complex theoretical and methodological
frameworks used to analyze and explain objects of social
study.

- Craig J. Calhoun
Sociological Theories
in Understanding
Social Dimensions of
Education
Sociology
- comes from Latin: Socius, "companion;" and the
suffix -ology, "the study of,"
- from Greek λόγος, lógos, "knowledge.“
-  the study of human social relationships and
institutions.
Theories
-  a set of accepted beliefs or organized principles
that explain and guide analysis
- it is different from practice, when certain
principles are tested. 
Sociological Theory
-  a set of ideas that provides an explanation for
human society.
 SOCIAL PARADIGM

MACRO VIEW MICRO VIEW

- Functional Theory - Interactionist

- Conflict Theory Theory

INTEGRATION OF
MACRO AND MICRO
VIEW

- Critical Theory
CRITICAL THEORY ON:

- Cultural Capital – Pierre Bordieu

- Language Code – Basil Bernstein
Cultural Capital
- is the accumulation of knowledge, behaviors, and
skills that one can tap into to demonstrate
one's cultural competence, and thus one's social
status or standing in society.
Language Code
-  is a code that assigns letters or numbers as identifiers
or classifiers for languages. These codes may be used to
organize library collections or presentations of data, to
choose the correct localizations and translations in
computing, and as a shorthand designation for longer
forms of language-name.
Functional Theory
Functional Theory
- society is a system of interconnected parts that work
together in harmony to maintain a state of balance and
social equilibrium for the whole.
Functional Theory
- also known as ‘equilibrium theory’
- proposed by Emile Durkheim and Talcott Parsons
- explains the occurrence of repetitive practices and
events in everyday life.
- this theory emphasizes the noble goal, missions,
purpose, benefit, and merit of the school in a
given society.
2 TYPES OF FUNCTIONS

1. MANIFEST
2. LATENT
MANIFEST
- are consequences that are intended and
commonly recognized.

LATENT
- are consequences that are unintended and often
hidden.
Dysfunctional
Dysfunctional
- Elements are dysfunctional if they disrupt
social stability.
Romantic and Ideal Views on Education and
Schooling Emanating from Functional
Theory
1.Education is the great equalizer of
the poor and the rich in the society;
2.Education is a solution to all
individual, societal, and global
problems;
3. Education promotes intercultural
harmony, human liberation, and
development;
4. Education is an agent toward ending
discrimination, conflict, and violence;
5. Education is an essential component in
the preparation for national and global
citizenship;
 6. Education is a tool for the attainment of
social efficiency and social effectiveness in a
multicultural society;
7. Education is the country’s last straw of
hope for catching up with her neighbors;
8. Education is the ticket away from poverty;
9. School promotes political integration and
develops a sense of national identity;
10. School is the institution that fulfills the
social responsibility of preparing the future
generation of any modern society.
Functional View on Society
Social Stability
- is achieved through institutions playing their part.
* Consensus- holds all parts and members of the
society.
Social Problems
- viewed as a disruptions, and these may pose danger
to the system’s total function and equilibrium.
Functional View on School
• Macro Level- explains how schools help
society adjust and adapt to changing social
condition.
• Micro Level- views school as a system with
several interrelated subsystems such as school
administrators, teachers, students, facilitative staff
and parents
2 Major Roles of Functional Theory

1. Roles Differentiation
2. Social Solidarity
Role Differentiation

- Stresses that there are various roles that have

to be fulfilled in a given society, which may
require different knowledge, skills, or
attitudes.
Social Solidarity
- It refers to the ties in the society that bind the
people together as one.

2 Types of Social Solidarity

1. Mechanical solidarity- when a society is maintained by

the similarities of its members.
2. Organic Solidarity- refers to societies that are held
together by the division of labor, which causes people to
be dependent upon each other.
Presuppositions of Functional
Theory

1. Meritocratic Society
2. Expert Society
3. Democratic Society
Meritocratic Society
- social system gives people status or
rewards because of what they achieve,
rather than because of their wealth or
social position.
Expert Society

- the requirement of a more highly trained

or specialized individuals to fulfill the
majority of the job positions especially in post
modern society.
Democratic Society

- form of society which favours equal rights, freedom

of speech and a fair trial and tolerates the views of
minorities
 The Role of Schools According to
Functionalist Theory

- To enhance the operation and stability of society.

REFERENCES:
-https://laulima.hawaii.edu/access/content/user/kfrench/sociology/The%20Three
%20Main%20Sociological%20Perspectives.pdf
-