The "Cooling-Out" Function in Higher Education

@article{Clark1960TheF,
  title={The "Cooling-Out" Function in Higher Education},
  author={Burton Clark},
  journal={American Journal of Sociology},
  year={1960},
  volume={65},
  pages={569 - 576}
}
  • B. Clark
  • Published 1 May 1960
  • Education
  • American Journal of Sociology
The wide gap found in many democratic institutions between culturally encouraged aspiration and institutionally provided means of achievement leads to the failure of many participants. Such a situation exists in American higher education. Certain social units ameliorate the consequent stress by redefining failure and providing for a "soft" denial; they perform a "coolign-out" function. The junior college especially plays this role. The cooling-out process observed in one college includes… 
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