Investigating What Macro-sociological Approaches and Micro-sociological Approaches Tells Us About Student Under-achievement in School

Investigating What Macro-sociological Approaches and Micro-sociological Approaches Tells Us About Student Under-achievement in School

Macro-sociology approaches offer explanations for social phenomena in

terms of the way in which social systems work as a whole.

Micro-sociology gives explanations in terms of how people make things

happen by interpreting their experience and acting on their

interpretations.

Macro-sociology divides into consensus and conflict approaches. The

former view society as similar to the human body, where everyone

functions together to enable society to work well. Functionalists

believe that society is run in the best interest for everyone.

Conflict theories view society as a constant struggle between classes,

caused by the individuals relationship to the economic system.

Functionalism is the main consensus perspective. As with functionalist

analysis in general the view of education tends to focus on the

positive contributions made by education to the maintenance of the

social system. Functionalists see school as society in miniature where

the individual develops a sense of commitment to the social group; a

place to learn rules and co-operate with people other than kin or

friends, school prepares the individual to learn how to conform in

society.

Durkheim believed that the major function of education was the

transmission of society's norms and values. He claimed that schools

perform two central functions, relating to social cohesion and the

division of labour. In order to exist society members must share

common beliefs and values - these are only partially taught by the

family. The school continues this...

... middle of paper ...

...er expectations from middle-class

pupils.

Macro research reveals the higher the social class the higher the

levels of educational achievement, but this approach does not take

into account such factors as gender, race, religion etc. Similarly,

micro-sociology describes the mechanism of educational failure rather

than explaining it. Therefore it is difficult to reach a reliable

explanation without analysing from both perspectives.

Education is such a vast area; the question of why some pupils

underachieve in school is complex and has many answers. It is

therefore unfair to look at this area from just a micro or macro

perspective. To really understand the reasons behind under-achievement

and give accurate analysis, you need to consider all perspectives, and

take into account factors such as gender, race and class.