Sociology Chapter 16 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is education?

A system of play

The social institution through which a society teaches its members the skills, knowledge, norms, and values (correct)

A way to socialize without learning

A type of government program

What is formal education?

It is often referred to as schooling, occurring in schools under professionally trained staff.

What is informal education?

Education that may occur almost anywhere, traditionally in the home, often through parents.

What are the main functions of the functionalism perspective in education?

Socialization, social integration, social placement, and social and cultural innovation. Signup and view all the answers

What does conflict theory perspective suggest about education?

Education promotes social inequality through tracking, standardized testing, and the hidden curriculum. Signup and view all the answers

What does symbolic interactionism perspective focus on?

Social interaction in the classroom, on the playground, and its effects on gender roles. Signup and view all the answers

How does education serve as a vehicle for socialization?

It teaches norms, values, and skills needed for functioning in society. Signup and view all the answers

What is kumi in Japanese education?

A homeroom where students are evaluated based on the performance of their group rather than individually. Signup and view all the answers

What is the goal of social integration in education?

To prepare immigrant children for the workforce and integrate them into American life. Signup and view all the answers

What factors affect social placement in education?

Teachers' and school officials' assessments of students' abilities and challenges. Signup and view all the answers

What are latent functions of education?

By-products of schooling, including child care, peer relationships, and lowering unemployment. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term hidden curriculum refer to?

A set of values and beliefs that reinforce the status quo and social hierarchy. Signup and view all the answers

What is a credential society?

A society where degrees indicate acquired knowledge and skills necessary for jobs. Signup and view all the answers

What does de jure segregation mean?

Segregation that is enforced by law. Signup and view all the answers

What is de facto segregation?

Segregation that results from residential patterns rather than laws. Signup and view all the answers

What are magnet schools?

Schools for high-achieving students of all races that require application for admission. Signup and view all the answers

What challenges do floundering students face?

Academic difficulties, homesickness, relationship problems, and financial issues. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Education Overview

Education is a social institution aimed at teaching members the skills, knowledge, norms, and values essential for productive societal functioning.

Types of Education

Formal Education: Involves structured learning in schools under trained professionals, known as schooling.
Informal Education: Takes place outside of formal settings, primarily in homes with parents or in daycare, adapting to a more formal structure over time.

Sociological Perspectives on Education

Functionalism: Education fulfills critical functions such as socialization, social integration, social placement, and cultural innovation. Latent functions also include child care, fostering peer relationships, and reducing unemployment by keeping teens in school.
Conflict Theory: Highlights how education perpetuates social inequality through mechanisms like tracking, standardized testing, and the "hidden curriculum," leading to disparities in learning outcomes based on school funding and conditions.
Symbolic Interactionism: Focuses on social interactions within educational settings, exploring how these interactions shape gender roles and reflect teachers' expectations regarding students' abilities.

Key Functions of Education

Socialization: Schools impart essential norms and values, promoting respect for authority, punctuality, individualism, and competition among students, particularly in American culture.
Social Integration: Encourages common beliefs and values among diverse groups, notably through language and cultural education for immigrant children, which is often contentious among advocates of English-only instruction.
Social Placement: Early identification by educators helps place students according to perceived ability, preparing them for future roles.

Cultural and Latent Functions

Social and Cultural Innovation: Education is fundamental for breakthroughs in science and the arts, supporting learners in developing necessary expertise.
Latent Functions: Include child care, peer relationships, and keeping teenagers out of the labor force, indirectly aiding economic stability and personal development.

Curricular Aspects

Hidden Curriculum: Refers to underlying values taught through school activities, emphasizing conformity to social norms and maintaining the status quo.
Credential Society: A high school or college degree signals competence and is often required for job eligibility, with college degrees becoming nearly essential for well-paying positions.

Segregation in Education

De Jure Segregation: Legally sanctioned school segregation in the South prior to 1954.
De Facto Segregation: School segregation influenced by residential patterns rather than laws, perpetuating racial divides in education.

Special Schools

Magnet Schools: Designed for high-achieving students regardless of race, requiring applications for admission and promoting diversity and excellence.

Challenges Facing Students

Floundering Students: Many first-semester students encounter academic challenges and emotional issues like homesickness and relationship problems. Approximately 10% seek counseling, often for depression and anxiety. Concerns exist over the potential overprescription of medications to manage these difficulties, which may mask underlying issues.

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Description

Dive into Sociology with Chapter 16 flashcards focusing on education concepts. This quiz explores key terms and definitions essential for understanding the role of education in society. Perfect for students looking to reinforce their knowledge and prepare for exams.