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EDU 5046: CLASSROOM INTERACTION

Lecture 1: Social Psychology and Theories of Sociology
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this lesson, students are able to:
1. explain the concept and scope of social psychology, &
2. discuss how sociological theories and approaches affect the functions of schools and
classrooms.
SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
Gordon Allport defined social psychology (SP) as a discipline that attempts tounderstand and
explain how thoughts, feelings and behavior of an individual are being influenced by other
people, regardless of their existence (whether it is real, fantasized, remembered, or expected).
Hence, SP is a kind of knowledge that emphasizes the scientific study of the humans mental
processes and behavior in relation to other individuals, groups, and cultures.
(In brief, SP refers to the scientific method to study human in the social context).
This definition of SP also explains the way social psychologists study how man influence each
other, or how thoughts, feelings and thinking of a person is being influenced by the actions of
others.
Example? (use a classroom situation)
This definition of SP also explains the way social psychologists study how man influence each
other, or how thoughts, feelings and thinking of a person is being influenced by the actions of
others.
Example? (think of a classroom situation)
Social psychology is a combination of psychology, sociology, and anthropology but social
psychology analyzes all the three systems.

Example:
Psychology: study behavior
Sociology: study social system
Anthropology: study social cultural system

SCOPE OF SOCIAL PSYCOLOGY

If psychologists study individuals without considering the social context (focus only on internal
processes such as perceptions, thinking, learning, motivation, emotions, etc.), and the
sociologists focus more on human behavior in larger social unit context (social class, social
groups, organizations & social institutions), the socialpsychologists use both individual and social
elements to explain a particular behavior.
Focus of Social Psychology: Analysis of relationship between the environment and the individual

THEORIES OF SOCIOLOGY IN THE SCHOOL AND CLASSROOM CONTEXT

Jeanne H.Ballantine:
Sociology is a set of belief about the society, social phenomenon and human behaviours.
Focus: Systemic assumption and explanation of the nature, pattern, and other aspects of human
relations in a society.

1. Functionalism
Scholars: Auguste Comte, Herbert Spencer, & Emile Durkheim
Society is akin to the organs in our body, each organ (each part of a society) has its own
functions but the organs are also dependent on each other, they work together to
contribute to the overall function of the system.
These parts have mutual understanding and social integration is a result of mutual
agreement of its members.
Emphasis : social norms
In Classroom/School

All the members function (including the outliers) and theres no conflict.
Classroom interaction: Stable and with purpose
Classroom: a place to select and stream students
Students: learn to obey instructions and rules

Functionalism Approach in Education

To teach the knowledge and behaviorsthat is needed to maintain the social norms/rules
and to contribute to the society.

Its the place to form social values or to socialize students with rules and the norms of the
society, and to train them to become a member who contributes to the society.

To train educated human resource and to prepare students for the working environment

2. Conflict Theory
Scholars: Karl Marx & Max Weber
The functionalism fails to identify the differences and diversity in a group like interest, ideology,
tendency, etc that often lead to conflicts.

Society is heterogeneous, and each sub-group may have its own agenda / individual needs.
Hence, theres a dynamic relationship in interactions among groups.
Conflicts in a society are something natural and its not violence but it occurs in the form of fight
(perjuangan) and competition.
Conflict theories are concerned with the issues of who benefits from particular social
arrangements and how those in power maintain their positions and continue to reap benefits
from them.
This theory assumes that tension is caused by individual interest or competing groups.
There are groups with haves and have nots; which causes a tense that could lead to a struggle
for power.
Haves attempts to control power, wealth and facilities
Have nots always face challenges in obtaining power, wealth and facilities
Social interaction: based on (bentukpergelutan) and chaos, not on cooperation.
This struggle for power can determine the structure and function of an organization and
changing hierarchies.
The stronger group often uses force and manipulation to unite the society but sometimes
changes do occur and they occur rapidly.
Each conflict causes rising of a new group that will expand and unite when the conflict is over.
Approach of the Conflict Theory in Education

Weber: studied bureaucracy and the concept of relationships between status groups.

School: a tool to form social layers according to people of power/authority (high status); a
place to form and maintain social control (benefit existing group while maintaining the
poor, low status group, eg: elite schools).

Schools main activity: to teach the natural status culture inside and outside of school

Willard Waller: Schools often have imbalanced condition, such as teachers and the
authorities feeling threatened all at time.

Interaction: the struggle for power between teachers and students

The imbalance occurs due to differences in attitudes, perceptions and expectations

among the members.

The classroom conflicts are:

Culture differences among the adults and youngsters
Mechanisms to maintain the social gap among the two parties
The fight to meet the requirements and needs (teacher tries to control a situation
thinking I am in charge, which represents a dominant value system.

3. Interactionism
Views human not as passive organism formed by social pressures in the society, but as an active
human, and good at assessing and appreciating the outside world.
Karen Chapmen (1986):
A child may be a model pupil in a classroom where the teacher respects him/her and
allow him/her to express himself/herself.