EDUCATION: Interactionism and Education

Question 1

How does Interactionism differ from functionalism and marxism etc.

Answer 1

Its a social action approach

• Emphasise the role of the individual and interactions between people in shaping identity and in turn the wider society

Question 2

Who are the three key sociologists in Interactionism

+ any extra

Answer 2

• G.H. Head
• Goffman
• Becker
• (Blumer)

Question 3

Define self-concept

Answer 3

The view you have of yourself, created not by yourself, but by your interactions with other people

• Is not a fixed concept - can change if your self concept is constantly being contradicted by others

Question 4

Define and explain typing and labelling

Answer 4

Linked to education, is the way in which teachers categorise their pupils

Question 5

What study was conducted in support of typing and labelling

Answer 5

Deviance in classrooms 1975 - Hester, Miller and Hargreaves

• Interviewed teachers and found teacher have limited knowledge about pupils when they first arrive at school, so they speculate using things they can see already (appearance, behaviour etc.)
• This is a gradual process till the teachers feels like “they know” the pupil

Question 6

How does Becker argue differently to the study conducted in support of typing and labelling

Answer 6

• The process of stereotyping and labelling is abrupt, not gradual
• In his study, teachers classified pupils in terms of the standard of the “ideal pupil”
• Students from lower classes were farthest from it, and vice versa

Question 7

What are some criticisms of interactionism

Answer 7

• Deterministic in that it presumes concepts such as labels and self - influence the behaviours of individuals
• Ignores some of the wider social conflicts that might affect behaviours - like class, gender
  
  • Ergo, interactionism offers a more psychology approach than a sociological one
• Methodology used is subjective and small scale, and based upon the interpretations of researchers and not generalised towards society

Question 8

What are some positives of interactionism

Answer 8

• Invested the ‘underdogs of society’, gathering understanding of those labelled as deviant
• Useful in a post-structural society
• Has made significant contributions to the understanding of individuals and their social behaviours, introducing concepts like verstehen