{"id":1583,"date":"2016-05-23T20:58:32","date_gmt":"2016-05-23T20:58:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontosociology-waymaker\/?post_type=chapter&#038;p=1583"},"modified":"2024-04-25T15:45:32","modified_gmt":"2024-04-25T15:45:32","slug":"symbolic-interactionist-theory-on-education","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-introductiontosociology\/chapter\/symbolic-interactionist-theory-on-education\/","title":{"raw":"Symbolic Interactionist Theory on Education","rendered":"Symbolic Interactionist Theory on Education"},"content":{"raw":"<div class=\"textbox learning-objectives\">\r\n<h3>Learning Outcomes<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Examine the symbolic interactionist view of education<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<h2 class=\"title\">Symbolic Interactionism<\/h2>\r\n<section id=\"fs-id1413878\">\r\n<p id=\"import-auto-id2694228\">Symbolic interactionism views education as one way that <strong>labeling theory\u00a0<\/strong>can be seen in action. A symbolic interactionist might say that this labeling has a direct correlation to those who are in power and those who are labeled. For example, low standardized test scores or poor performance in a particular class often lead to a student who is labeled as a low achiever. Such labels are difficult to \u201cshake off,\u201d which can create a <strong>self-fulfilling prophecy<\/strong> (Merton 1968)\u00a0and result in outcomes that could have been prevented.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"import-auto-id2110723\">In his book <em>High School Confidential<\/em>, Jeremy Iverson details his experience as a Stanford graduate posing as a student at a California high school. One of the problems he identifies in his research is that of teachers applying labels that students are never able to lose. One teacher told him, without knowing he was a bright graduate of a top university, that he would never amount to anything (Iverson 2006). Iverson obviously didn\u2019t take this teacher\u2019s false assessment to heart. But when an actual seventeen-year-old student hears this from a person with authority over her, it\u2019s no wonder that the student might begin to \u201clive down to\u201d that label.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"import-auto-id2797213\">The labeling with which symbolic interactionists concern themselves extends to the very degrees that symbolize completion of education. <strong><span id=\"import-auto-id1653540\">Credentialism<\/span><\/strong> embodies the emphasis on certificates or degrees to show that a person has a certain skill, has attained a certain level of education, or has met certain job qualifications. These certificates or degrees serve as a symbol of what a person has achieved, allowing the labeling of that individual to be based on a recognized, sequential program of instruction.<\/p>\r\nIndeed, as these examples show, labeling theory can significantly impact a student\u2019s schooling. This is easily seen in the educational setting, as teachers and more powerful social groups within the school affix labels that are adopted by the larger school population\u00a0and result in negative, wide repercussions.\r\n<div class=\"textbox exercises\">\r\n<h3 class=\"title\">Grade Inflation: When Is an A Really a C?<\/h3>\r\n<p id=\"import-auto-id1388130\">Consider a large-city newspaper publisher. Ten years ago, when culling r\u00e9sum\u00e9s for an entry-level copywriter, they were well assured that if they selected a grad with a GPA of 3.7 or higher, they\u2019d have someone with the writing skills to contribute to the workplace on day one. But over the last few years, they\u2019ve noticed that A-level students don\u2019t have the competency evident in the past. More and more, they find themselves in the position of educating new hires in abilities that, in the past, had been mastered during their education.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"import-auto-id2368001\">This story illustrates a growing concern referred to as <span id=\"import-auto-id2786516\">grade inflation<\/span>\u2014a term used to describe the observation that the correspondence between letter grades and the achievements they reflect has been declining over time. Put simply, what used to be considered C-level, or average, now often earns a student a B, or even an A.<\/p>\r\nWhy is this happening? Research on this emerging issue is ongoing, so no one is quite sure yet. Some cite the alleged shift toward a culture that rewards effort instead of product, i.e., the amount of work a student puts in raises the grade, even if the resulting product is of poor quality. Another frequently cited contributor is the pressure many instructors feel to earn positive course evaluations from their students\u2014records that can factor into teacher compensation, award of tenure, or the future career of a recent graduate teaching entry-level courses. The fact that these reviews are commonly posted online exacerbates this pressure.\r\n<p id=\"import-auto-id1345027\">Other studies don\u2019t agree that grade inflation exists at all. In any case, the issue is hotly debated, with many being called upon to conduct research to help us better understand and respond to this trend (National Public Radio 2004; Mansfield 2005).<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/section><section id=\"fs-id1514988\" class=\"short-answer\">\r\n<div class=\"textbox learning-objectives\">\r\n<h3>Think It Over<\/h3>\r\n<div id=\"fs-id1325306\" class=\"exercise\">\r\n<div id=\"fs-id1552416\" class=\"problem\">\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Which sociological theory best describes your view of education? Explain why.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Based on what you know about symbolic interactionism and feminist theory, what do you think proponents of those theories see as the role of the school?<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"textbox tryit\">\r\n<h3>Try It<\/h3>\r\nhttps:\/\/assess.lumenlearning.com\/practice\/4592b52d-0eaa-4f7f-aced-9442102661a0\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"textbox key-takeaways\">\r\n<h3>glossary<\/h3>\r\n<dl class=\"definition\">\r\n \t<dt>credentialism:<\/dt>\r\n \t<dd id=\"fs-id1302476\">the emphasis on certificates or degrees to show that a person has a certain skill, has attained a certain level of education, or has met certain job qualifications<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n<dl id=\"import-auto-id2689300\" class=\"definition\">\r\n \t<dt>labeling theory:<\/dt>\r\n \t<dd id=\"fs-id1302476\">the idea that how people are labelled or classified influences the way they come to self-identify and behave; related to self-fulfilling prophecy<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n<dl id=\"import-auto-id2071994\" class=\"definition\">\r\n \t<dt>self-fulfilling prophecy:<\/dt>\r\n \t<dd id=\"fs-id1974420\">an idea that becomes true when acted upon; the way that a person's beliefs can affect their behavior<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/section>","rendered":"<div class=\"textbox learning-objectives\">\n<h3>Learning Outcomes<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Examine the symbolic interactionist view of education<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"title\">Symbolic Interactionism<\/h2>\n<section id=\"fs-id1413878\">\n<p id=\"import-auto-id2694228\">Symbolic interactionism views education as one way that <strong>labeling theory\u00a0<\/strong>can be seen in action. A symbolic interactionist might say that this labeling has a direct correlation to those who are in power and those who are labeled. For example, low standardized test scores or poor performance in a particular class often lead to a student who is labeled as a low achiever. Such labels are difficult to \u201cshake off,\u201d which can create a <strong>self-fulfilling prophecy<\/strong> (Merton 1968)\u00a0and result in outcomes that could have been prevented.<\/p>\n<p id=\"import-auto-id2110723\">In his book <em>High School Confidential<\/em>, Jeremy Iverson details his experience as a Stanford graduate posing as a student at a California high school. One of the problems he identifies in his research is that of teachers applying labels that students are never able to lose. One teacher told him, without knowing he was a bright graduate of a top university, that he would never amount to anything (Iverson 2006). Iverson obviously didn\u2019t take this teacher\u2019s false assessment to heart. But when an actual seventeen-year-old student hears this from a person with authority over her, it\u2019s no wonder that the student might begin to \u201clive down to\u201d that label.<\/p>\n<p id=\"import-auto-id2797213\">The labeling with which symbolic interactionists concern themselves extends to the very degrees that symbolize completion of education. <strong><span id=\"import-auto-id1653540\">Credentialism<\/span><\/strong> embodies the emphasis on certificates or degrees to show that a person has a certain skill, has attained a certain level of education, or has met certain job qualifications. These certificates or degrees serve as a symbol of what a person has achieved, allowing the labeling of that individual to be based on a recognized, sequential program of instruction.<\/p>\n<p>Indeed, as these examples show, labeling theory can significantly impact a student\u2019s schooling. This is easily seen in the educational setting, as teachers and more powerful social groups within the school affix labels that are adopted by the larger school population\u00a0and result in negative, wide repercussions.<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox exercises\">\n<h3 class=\"title\">Grade Inflation: When Is an A Really a C?<\/h3>\n<p id=\"import-auto-id1388130\">Consider a large-city newspaper publisher. Ten years ago, when culling r\u00e9sum\u00e9s for an entry-level copywriter, they were well assured that if they selected a grad with a GPA of 3.7 or higher, they\u2019d have someone with the writing skills to contribute to the workplace on day one. But over the last few years, they\u2019ve noticed that A-level students don\u2019t have the competency evident in the past. More and more, they find themselves in the position of educating new hires in abilities that, in the past, had been mastered during their education.<\/p>\n<p id=\"import-auto-id2368001\">This story illustrates a growing concern referred to as <span id=\"import-auto-id2786516\">grade inflation<\/span>\u2014a term used to describe the observation that the correspondence between letter grades and the achievements they reflect has been declining over time. Put simply, what used to be considered C-level, or average, now often earns a student a B, or even an A.<\/p>\n<p>Why is this happening? Research on this emerging issue is ongoing, so no one is quite sure yet. Some cite the alleged shift toward a culture that rewards effort instead of product, i.e., the amount of work a student puts in raises the grade, even if the resulting product is of poor quality. Another frequently cited contributor is the pressure many instructors feel to earn positive course evaluations from their students\u2014records that can factor into teacher compensation, award of tenure, or the future career of a recent graduate teaching entry-level courses. The fact that these reviews are commonly posted online exacerbates this pressure.<\/p>\n<p id=\"import-auto-id1345027\">Other studies don\u2019t agree that grade inflation exists at all. In any case, the issue is hotly debated, with many being called upon to conduct research to help us better understand and respond to this trend (National Public Radio 2004; Mansfield 2005).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"fs-id1514988\" class=\"short-answer\">\n<div class=\"textbox learning-objectives\">\n<h3>Think It Over<\/h3>\n<div id=\"fs-id1325306\" class=\"exercise\">\n<div id=\"fs-id1552416\" class=\"problem\">\n<ul>\n<li>Which sociological theory best describes your view of education? Explain why.<\/li>\n<li>Based on what you know about symbolic interactionism and feminist theory, what do you think proponents of those theories see as the role of the school?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"textbox tryit\">\n<h3>Try It<\/h3>\n<p>\t<iframe id=\"assessment_practice_4592b52d-0eaa-4f7f-aced-9442102661a0\" class=\"resizable\" src=\"https:\/\/assess.lumenlearning.com\/practice\/4592b52d-0eaa-4f7f-aced-9442102661a0?iframe_resize_id=assessment_practice_id_4592b52d-0eaa-4f7f-aced-9442102661a0\" frameborder=\"0\" style=\"border:none;width:100%;height:100%;min-height:300px;\"><br \/>\n\t<\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"textbox key-takeaways\">\n<h3>glossary<\/h3>\n<dl class=\"definition\">\n<dt>credentialism:<\/dt>\n<dd id=\"fs-id1302476\">the emphasis on certificates or degrees to show that a person has a certain skill, has attained a certain level of education, or has met certain job qualifications<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<dl id=\"import-auto-id2689300\" class=\"definition\">\n<dt>labeling theory:<\/dt>\n<dd id=\"fs-id1302476\">the idea that how people are labelled or classified influences the way they come to self-identify and behave; related to self-fulfilling prophecy<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<dl id=\"import-auto-id2071994\" class=\"definition\">\n<dt>self-fulfilling prophecy:<\/dt>\n<dd id=\"fs-id1974420\">an idea that becomes true when acted upon; the way that a person&#8217;s beliefs can affect their behavior<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\t\t\t <section class=\"citations-section\" role=\"contentinfo\">\n\t\t\t <h3>Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t <div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <div id=\"citation-list-1583\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div class=\"licensing\"><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">CC licensed content, Original<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Modification, adaptation, and original content. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Florencia Silveira for Lumen Learning. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: Lumen Learning. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">CC BY: Attribution<\/a><\/em><\/li><\/ul><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">CC licensed content, Shared previously<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Theoretical Perspectives on Education. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: OpenStax CNX. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/cnx.org\/contents\/AgQDEnLI@12.4:Q7ShLma2@8\/16-2-Theoretical-Perspectives-on-Education\">https:\/\/cnx.org\/contents\/AgQDEnLI@12.4:Q7ShLma2@8\/16-2-Theoretical-Perspectives-on-Education<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">CC BY: Attribution<\/a><\/em>. <strong>License Terms<\/strong>: Download for free at http:\/\/cnx.org\/contents\/02040312-72c8-441e-a685-20e9333f3e1d@3.49<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t <\/section>","protected":false},"author":29,"menu_order":8,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Theoretical Perspectives on Education\",\"author\":\"OpenStax CNX\",\"organization\":\"\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/cnx.org\/contents\/AgQDEnLI@12.4:Q7ShLma2@8\/16-2-Theoretical-Perspectives-on-Education\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"Download for free at http:\/\/cnx.org\/contents\/02040312-72c8-441e-a685-20e9333f3e1d@3.49\"},{\"type\":\"original\",\"description\":\"Modification, adaptation, and original content\",\"author\":\"Florencia Silveira for Lumen Learning\",\"organization\":\"Lumen Learning\",\"url\":\"\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"\"}]","CANDELA_OUTCOMES_GUID":"6e6be421-c8d8-4d3b-9df1-7756726fc819, 4c34923a-63a0-4b18-83b2-c6bcb5618365","pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-1583","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":3540,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-introductiontosociology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/1583","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-introductiontosociology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-introductiontosociology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-introductiontosociology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/29"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-introductiontosociology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/1583\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9543,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-introductiontosociology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/1583\/revisions\/9543"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-introductiontosociology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/3540"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-introductiontosociology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/1583\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-introductiontosociology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1583"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-introductiontosociology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=1583"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-introductiontosociology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=1583"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-introductiontosociology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=1583"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}