Page 98 - Class Portfolio2019

UNIT II
SOCIOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS OF EDUCATION

3. Children look to join peer groups who accept them, even if the group is involved in negative
activities. Children are less likely to accept those who are different from them.

Cliques

1. Cliques are small groups typically defined by common interests or by friendship.

2. Clique members are usually the same in terms of academics and risk behaviors.

3. Cliques can serve as an agent of socialization and social control.

4. Being part of a clique can be advantageous since it may provide a sense of autonomy, a
secure social environment, and overall well-being.

Crowd

1. Are larger, more vaguely defined groups that may not have a friendship base.

2. Serve as peer groups, and they increase in importance during early adolescence, and
decrease by late adolescents.

3. The level of involvement in adult institutions and peer culture describes crowds.

Theories on Social Groups

Developmental psychologists, Lev Vygotsky, Jean Piaget, Erik Erikson, Harry Stack Sullivan,
and social learning theorists have all argued that peer relationships provide a unique context
for cognitive, social, and emotional development.

Modern research echoes these sentiments, showing that social and emotional gains are
indeed provided by peer interaction.

Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory - focuses on the importance of a child's culture and
notes that a child is continually acting in social interactions with others.

Piaget's theory of cognitive development identifies four stages of cognitive development.
He believes that children actively construct their understanding of the world based on their
own experiences.

Erikson's stages of psychosocial development include eight stages ranging from birth to
old age. He has emphasized the idea that the society, not just the family, influences one's
ego and identity through developmental stages

89 | P a g e