Significance of Functionalist, Conflict and Interactionism Theories in Teacher-Student Relationship - Coursework Example

Sociology - Significance of Functionalist, Conflict and Interactionism Theories in Teacher-Student Relationship - Introduction Improvements in the quality of higher education serve as a stepping stone towards a better economic and political advancement in the United States. With this in mind, the process of strengthening the relationship between teachers and students is crucial to further enhance the quality of education within higher education in colleges and universities. As part of improving the educational quality in the United States, a lot of sociologists have been exploring the significance of functionalist, conflict, and symbolic interactionism theories when exploring strategies ways on how to improve relationship between the teachers and fellow students. As part of promoting public awareness with regards to the relationship between the teachers and students, this study will purposely explore and apply the concept of functionalist, conflict, and symbolic interactionism to real-case scenarios. To enable the readers have a better idea concerning this topic, the basic concept of functionalist, conflict, and symbolic interactionism theories will first be provided followed by providing real-case examples using the said theory. Basic Concept of Functionalist, Conflict and Symbolic Interactionism Theories and Its Application in the Field of Higher Education Functionalist Theory Functionalism view education as a part of the “societal needs for socialization and training” (Andersen & Taylor, 2011, p. 348). It means that in the absence of educational institutions like colleges and universities, functionalists explain that it would be very difficult to instill knowledge and necessary values among each member of a given society. Considering the main function of educational institutions within our society, the main function of teachers within higher educational system is to serve as an individual who is responsible in systematically transmitting their knowledge, skills, and cultural values to the students within a formally organized institutional structure (Kendall, 2010, p. 417). It means that by going through the process of transferring knowledge, skills and cultural values to the students, higher education teachers are indirectly keeping young and unemployed individuals off the streets (Stephens & Leach, 1998, p. 203). In general, each of the school teacher(s) have different set of multiple roles which they need to satisfy on a daily basis. Because of their unique function within an educational institution, functionalists may sometimes conclude that the presence of certain school policies and institutions can be dysfunctional for most of the teachers within a given educational institution. As explained by Appelrouth and Edles (2008, p. 386), the occurrence of dysfunctionality is possible because “they are functional for a more powerful social group or the social system itself”. Functionalists strongly suggest that the main function of higher education teachers is to provide better occupational opportunities for the unemployed students in the long-run. Upon analyzing the functionalist theory of education, it is the students who function as the receiver of the transferred knowledge, skills and cultural values from the school teachers. However, this theory is not applicable when it comes to analyzing the relationship between teachers and students in higher education. Conflict Theory Conflict theory view education as something that “reflects other inequalities within a given society” (Andersen & Taylor, 2011, p. 348). Because of the presence of racial, class and gender discrimination, not all students are able to receive equal rights to education. Furthermore, conflict perspective in higher education also suggest that the process of tracking down teachers’ ability to deliver good quality teaching based on the prescribed school curriculum also contributes to the development of conflict relationship among the teachers (Kendall, 2010, p. 417). With this in mind, teachers who feel less important may end up having more emotional and psychological issues when building relationship with the students. In general, conflict theorists are criticizing functionalist theorists for having a strong idealization of what an educational institution should be like within a given society (Edles & Appelrouth, 2011, p. 21). Conflict theory in higher education strongly suggest the idea that teachers in educational institutions are facing conflicts related to power struggling among the professionals within the hierarchical educational institutions. Conflict theory focuses on identifying potential conflicts (or gap) between the teachers and students in higher education (Appelrouth & Edles, 2008, p. 355). As compared to functionalist theory, conflict theory is indirectly applicable when trying to examine the relationship between teachers and students in higher education. For example: Sociologists can use conflict theory to identify specific personality needs of higher education teachers which could allow them to establish a stronger relationship with the students. Symbolic Interaction Theory Based on symbolic interaction theory, social interaction between teachers and students within an educational institution is possible and necessary when it comes to individual and group successes (Andersen & Taylor, 2011, p. 348). As compared to functionalist theory, symbolic interaction theory view human beings within a given society as something that is “not an established structure but as individuals who are trying to meet their life conditions and expectations” (Edles & Appelrouth, 2011, p. 181). Based on the core perspectives in contemporary sociological theory, the concept of a structural functionalism is more on the non-rational collective side whereas the orientation of symbolic interaction theory is more on non-rational and individualistic side (Edles & Appelrouth, 2011, p. 18). Considering the fact that symbolic interaction theory heavily relies on the actions made by the school teachers and students, this particular theory can be more effective and applicable in terms of analyzing how the relationship between the school teachers and students in higher education work. For example: Using Blumer’s symbolic interaction theory, sociologists can easily identify and interpret the attitude and behaviors of each higher education teachers and students in order to determine teacher-and-students’ relationship within an educational institution. Conclusion As compared to functionalist and conflict theories, symbolic interactionism theory is the best applicable theory when it comes to analyzing the relationship between teachers and students in higher education. Unlike the functionalist and conflict theories in sociology, symbolic interactionism theory does not focus on analyzing the structure or functionality or conflicts in a given educational institution but only with regards to how each of the stakeholders who are trying to meet their life conditions and expectations as human beings. *** End *** References Andersen, M., & Taylor, H., 2011. Sociology: The Essentials. 6th Edition. Wadsworth Cengage Learning. Appelrouth, S., & Edles, L., 2008. Classical and contemporary sociological theory: text and readings. Pine Forge Press. Edles, L., & Appelrouth, S., 2011. Sociological Theory in the Contemporary Era: Text and Readings. Pine Forge Press. Kendall, D., 2010. Sociology in Our Times: The Essentials. 8th Edition. CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. Stephens, P., & Leach, A., 1998. Think Sociology. Stanley Thornes (Publishers) Ltd. Read More