Structural functionalist- Social systems require functional integration to maintain stability. Corruption in competative examinations disrupts this integration, leading to broader social dysfunction.
Conflict perspective - Marx’s theories on class struggle highlight how educational corruption can be a tool for perpetuating class inequality. The ruling class may manipulate competitive exams to ensure their continued dominance, while the working class may feel compelled to cheat to compete.
Societal impact of corruption in exams
2.Exacerbating existing socioeconomic inequalities - it deepens the divide between the haves and have-nots.
3.Symptomatic of a border culture of corruption - it fosters a culture where unethical behaviour is normalised.
4.Entrenched Elitism - it enables elites to maintain their status, reinforcing social stratification and limiting upward mobility for lower socio- economic groups.
5.Intergenerational impact - normalisation of cheating in exams making it harder to implement reforms and change societal attitudes.
6.Societal Cynicism and disillusionment - distrust toward authority figures and institutions, disillusionment with meritocracy.
7.Social tension - perception of unfair advantage gained through corruption can create social tension and divisons ( nationwide protest over the NEET scams )
8.Liquid modernity - it describes how modern life is characterized by constant change and uncertainty, which one contribute to corruption in competitive exams as individual seek stability.
9.Undermining the democratic principles and civil disengagement.
10.Social fragmentation - it divides communities along lines of those who benefit from corruption and those who suffer from it .
Post-Industrial Society: Alain Touraine’s perspective on post-industrial society examines how knowledge and information shape social dynamics.
In a post-industrial society, corruption in education distorts knowledge systems and undermines the integrity of educational institutions essential for societal progress.
Cultural Capital and Educational Inequality : pieree Bourdieu's concept of cultural capital explains how students from privileged backgrounds have access to resources , knowledge , and networks that give them an unfair advantage in competitive exams . This can lead to corruption as disadvantaged students seek to level the playing field by illicit means .
Strain Theory : Robter K. Merton's strain theory suggests that societal pressure to achieve culturally approved goals ( such as academic success ) can lead individuals to engage in deviant behavior when they lack legitimate means . This can explain why students might resort to cheating in exams .
Social factors affecting corruption in exams
1.Institutional failures - corruption within examination bodies and education institutions.
2.Normalisation of corruption - frequent examination fraud can normalise unethical behaviour as a survival strategy.
3.Stress and anxiety - psychological burden of high expectations and fear of failure can lead individuals to unethical decisions.
4.Legal lag - gaps in legislation - as of now we don't have examination minister or comprehensive exams law .
5.Technological advancements - technology doens't discriminate - cheaters use micro earpiece smartwatchs.
6.Social comparison and peer pressure leads individuals feel compelled to cheat to keep up or outshine their contemporaries.
7.Legitimation crisis - Jurgen habermas theory of legitimation crisis explain how corruption in competative exams can lead to a crisis of legitimacy for educational institutions and state.
Anomie : Emile Durkheim's concept of anomie a state of normlessness , can be applied to explain why corruption in exams occurs when societal norms and values break down . This leads to a lack of guidance and increased deviant behavior .
Social Systems Theory: Niklas Luhmann’s theory emphasizes the autonomy and self-reproduction of social systems.
Corruption disrupts the self-regulating mechanisms of educational systems, undermining their capacity to maintain social order and legitimacy.
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