Gatekeeping (education)

Under Gatekeeper (English: " lock-keeper ," " gatekeepers " ) are understood in sociology people, who have the chance due to skills or positions to influence the rise of the man who is in sociology also called mobility.

The gatekeeper studies go back to the psychologist Kurt Lewin, who originally investigated decision-making processes regarding the use of food in families. The term initially played only in the news research a role, but was then taken over by sociology.

Sociology of Education

Gatekeeper in the education system are located at positions where they control so-called formation thresholds. This can affect enrollment, transitions to high schools, college entrance interviews and tests and appointments of professors ( passing). In the education system of the so-called Uni -bluff or the symbolic capital of the students plays a role in the decision-making of the gatekeeper.

Primary school teachers meet in Germany for example the function of gatekeeping by selecting their type of school recommendations students what happens not independent of the social origin of the school children.

• See also: Teacher recommendation, PIRLS

Elite sociology

Gatekeeper in the economy determine staffing by staff appraisals. It was found, among others, Michael Hartmann in a recent study that the economic elite, for the most part people are recruited, who grew up in the corresponding elite. This elite recruitment is carried out by gatekeepers that recognize from their knowledge of Distinction membership of applicants to an appropriate social environment and they themselves encourage this. According to Hartmann, the distinguishing feature is especially a certain confident manner.

• See also: The Myth of the power elites, habitus (sociology)

Urban Sociology

In the city of sociology describes the concept of Urban Managerialism as social gatekeepers, such as brokers or officials of housing authorities, significantly contribute to creating a socio-spatial structure of a city.