Ask a Scholar: What Is Structural-Functionalism, Conflict Theory and Symbolic Interactionism?

Jonathan Imber

Dear Ask a Scholar:

[This inquiry arose from an assignment in the questioner’s sociology course. She was asked to “explain how structural functionalism, conflict theory and symbolic interactionism explain the appeal of American Idol. How does American Idol promote social cohesion?] “The problem,” she writes,   “is that I don’t really understand structural functionalism, conflict theory and symbolic interactionism. Would you please help?”

- Carol Alt, Sinclair Community College   

Answered by Dr. Jonathan B. Imber, Jean Glasscock Professor and Chair of the Department of Sociology, Wellesley College:

[Dr. Imber informs us that he’s unfortunately not a follower of American Idol, and so can’t be specific about how these theories apply to the program. But he offers the following general response:]

You can find a good summary of the theoretical traditions to which you refer in your question in Lewis Coser's Masters of Sociological Thought. After working through the titans of sociological theory, he has a concluding chapter in which he summarizes the emergence of theoretical perspectives (with many proponents).  In this sense, the classical tradition in sociological theory is organized by specific figures (Comte, Spencer, Marx, Weber, Durkheim, Simmel, et al.) and modern sociological theory includes these perspectives cited in your inquiry.  Structural functionalism focuses on how institutions work together to maintain order in society. Conflict theory addresses how to think about social change.  Symbolic interactionism presents an analysis of how language, gesture, and the broader use of symbols organizes and directs how we live and work together.  In all three theoretical traditions, there are also criticisms about what they do not explain.

* * *

About Ask a Scholar

Have a question Wikipedia can’t answer? We’ll match your question to a scholar with an answer.  

Questions submitted to “Ask a Scholar” should call for educated judgment rather than facts that can be found easily with an internet search. We especially welcome questions that provide professors the occasion to draw erudite distinctions and incorporate mention of matters you had no idea were connected to the topic at hand. Also welcome are questions about graduate school and academic careers. Simply email NAS or submit questions via Intellectual Takeout's Ask the Professor feature. We'll field your question to a scholar and get back to you with an answer as soon as possible.

Image: Public Domain

  • Share

Most Commented

January 24, 2024

1.

After Claudine

The idea has caught on that the radical left overplayed its hand in DEI and is now vulnerable to those of us who seek major reforms. This is not, however, the first time that the a......

February 13, 2024

2.

The Great Academic Divorce with China

All signs show that American education is beginning a long and painful divorce with the People’s Republic of China. But will academia go through with it?...

October 31, 2023

3.

University of Washington Violated Non-Discrimination Policy, Internal Report Finds

A faculty hiring committee at the University of Washington “inappropriately considered candidates’ races when determining the order of offers,” provided “disparate op......

Most Read

May 15, 2015

1.

Where Did We Get the Idea That Only White People Can Be Racist?

A look at the double standard that has arisen regarding racism, illustrated recently by the reaction to a black professor's biased comments on Twitter....

October 12, 2010

2.

Ask a Scholar: What is the True Definition of Latino?

What does it mean to be Latino? Are only Latin American people Latino, or does the term apply to anyone whose language derived from Latin?...

July 8, 2011

3.

Ask a Scholar: What Is Structural-Functionalism, Conflict Theory and Symbolic Interactionism?

Professor Jonathan Imber clarifies concepts of sociologocal theory....