What are the differences and similarities between functionalism and symbolic interaction?

compare and contrast functionalist and symbolic interactionalist perspectives on education.

Education is all those processes of learning which enable a person to acquire skills, behaviors, knowledge, values and norms which are considered necessary to live a happy and successful life in the society to which he belongs, according to . This essay seeks to compare and contrast functionalist and symbolic interactionalist perspectives on education. To achieve this, the paper will start by explaining the functionalist and symbolic interactionist perspectives in detail. This will be followed by comparing and contrasting the functionalist and symbolic interactionist views on education.

In today’s modern society, everyone is largely affected by society. From multiple social institutions like the government and economy for instance or even the effects of education and mass media; these all play a huge role in an individual’s relationship, behavior, and actions in their society. For an individual to understand things like a “culture” or why every society has a ‘social class hierarchy,’ they will be directed to “Sociology”. Sociology is the systematic study of the structures of human society and social interaction. Sociology attempts to understand how things like society, social events, interactions, and patterns influence the way humans think, act, and feel. While studying sociology, every individual will have a distinct perspective and depending on the particular subject, not everyone will have the same viewpoint on the topic at hand. With this, Sociology consists of many different approaches, commonly known as “Sociology theories” These theories are distinctive and diverse, providing a different perspective for understanding different situations in society. With there being a wide variety of approaches such as “Feminist,” “Labelling,” and “Critical,” for instance, the top three major approaches representing Sociology are, “Structural Functionalism,” “Conflict Theory,” and “Symbolic Interactionism.” This paper will be comparing the differences and similarities between “Structural-Functionalism” approach and the “Symbolic Interactionism” approach. To start

Functionalism versus the Conflict Theory versus Symbolic Interactionism

Functionalism, the conflict theory and symbolic interactionism are three distinct and common sociological perspectives that share differences and similarities due to the methods in which they evaluate society. Several sociologists, including Durkheim, Karl Marx and Max Weber, contributed to these extensive, diverse theories. Functionalism, the conflict theory and symbolic interactionism is the study of functions, social inequality and symbolic meanings, respectively.

Theory Origin  

Many helped formulate and grow the functionalist, conflict and symbolic interactionism theories. Robert Merton and Emile Durkheim elaborated functionalism. The structural-functionalism perspective views society as a combination of institutions, or functions, to equate societal stability and harmony, which Durkheim theorized. Additionally, functionalists believe that these functions rely on each other, and when one function changes, the others do as well. For example, to restore equilibrium, a product’s price might drop and consequently increase productivity. Merton supported that functions can be of different types, such as dysfunctional or latent. On the other hand, only one man, Karl Marx, is popular for developing the conflict theory, a perspective that emphasizes inequality (Mustapha). Furthermore, he evaluated that the bourgeoisie (capitalists) execute widespread power by harboring numerous resources and manipulating individuals with institutions, such as religion. This leaves the proletariat (workers) with alienation, oppression and a potential motive to overthrow the capitalists and establish a classless society. Lastly, sociologists Max Weber and George Herbert Mead influenced symbolic interactionism, an idea that is stemmed from symbols. Moreover, this theory explains that individuals interact together and set meanings on symbols, which determine society’s behavior. For example, a military group saluting its general can symbolize respect and duty, which can further determine the group’s strict, obedient behavior.

Compare & Contrast

Even though all three sociological perspectives help view society, each one has individual differences and similarities between each other. Theoretically, both functionalism and the conflict theory are macro-sociological insights that widely comprehend society’s larger elements, such as institutions. Conversely, though, functionalism assumes that institutions automatically alter themselves to create stability, whereas the conflict theory notes that institutions, like religion, are used by the capitalists to manipulate others. Also, such an inequality is different from symbolic interactionism’s support of individuals’ believing in similar meanings and symbols. Despite this difference, both theories are evidently successful in grouping individuals together, by class or symbols. Similarly, symbolic interactionism shares a theoretical similarity of dependency with functionalism because functionalism and interactionism assign society’s interdependence on institutions and ascribed communication, respectively. Nevertheless, interactionism attributes situations to humans’ meanings, whereas functionalists would emphasize the general functions that played a role.

Personal Opinion

I appreciate functionalism the most and disapprove some aspects of the other theories. I believe that functionalism explains sociology the best among all three theories because it technically regards sociology as a natural science itself that is based on positivism. In addition, it explains sociology most widely, whereas the other two theories are more limited to individuals and socio-economic classes, respectively. Also, I believe the conflict theory is not well developed and symbolic interactionism, a micro-sociological study, cannot observe wider societal situations.

Overall, all three theories gave influential contribution to sociology. Functionalism observes functions, which exist for social stability. The conflict theory garners most individuals into two classes that stimulate inequality. Symbolic interactionism concentrates on individuals who assign, share and agree on symbolic meanings and mannerisms. The theories’ techniques of observing, defining and analyzing society explain their differences and similarities.

Works Cited

Mustapha, Nasser. “Sociological Perspectives.” Sociology for Caribbean Students. Kingston,        Jamaica: Ian Randle, 2009. 25-31. Print

© Copyright Nikhil B. Punjabi

What is the similarities between functionalism and symbolic Interactionism?

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